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Jerry Seinfeld turns tables on radical anti-Israel agitators after chaotic Chicago stunt backfires
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld turned the tables on anti-Israel hecklers who attempted to derail his Chicago performance last Friday, mocking the protesters as security removed them from the venue.
Viral video from the confrontation shows activists shouting at Seinfeld at the Chicago Theatre, accusing Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza and alleging that American taxpayer dollars are funding the deaths of thousands of civilians.
"Twenty-two thousand Palestinians who are children now are killed with our taxpayer money, and you’re making jokes!" a woman shouted in clips posted online.
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Seinfeld then dances on stage and mocks the protesters with sarcastic remarks, calling himself "racist" and saying, "It’s a genocide. I’m into it." He also joked that he would find out how much the protesters paid for their tickets and send the money directly to Israel.
As security personnel escorted the demonstrators out of the auditorium, one audience member shouted, "Rough her up!"
The Anti-War Committee Chicago and the Chicago branch of the US Palestinian Community Network have taken credit for organizing the disruption, writing on Instagram, "Friday’s disruption sent a clear message: Those who defend Israel’s genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza and throughout Palestine will be met with protest and are not welcome on Chicago’s stages without opposition."
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Fox News Digital reached out to Seinfeld’s team for comment but did not hear back.
The altercation is the latest in a string of protests targeting the 72-year-old Jewish comedian over his staunch defense of Israel.
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Comedian and media analyst Tim Young told Fox News Digital he believes protesters are paying top dollar to hijack comedy shows for viral attention rather than political discourse.
"They know that once they start yelling, everyone will whip their cameras out, and it is a very direct interaction and maybe one of the only direct interactions protesters get to have with celebrities and with the internet," Young said.
"If you are in a very intimate environment where everyone is quiet, listening to one person, you will be heard. And, so, that's what they're taking advantage of here."
Young compared the disruptions at Seinfeld's shows to protests at political rallies, arguing that some activists are willing to pay steep ticket prices to confront the comedian.
"It seems like people are going to Jerry Seinfeld's shows like they're going to a Trump rally to protest," Young said. "They wanted to get Jerry's attention. They want to, for some reason, they're very, very adamant on getting him to react to the Israel-Palestine conflict."
Young also linked the disruptions to Seinfeld's past criticism of performing at universities.
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"It's why Jerry doesn't like to go and perform at college campuses. And he said he hates performing at college campuses specifically for that reason," Young said.
"He doesn't want to get into the political thing. He doesn't want to have protesters yelling back and forth with him. It's a waste of the rest of the audience's time, and he knows that."
In May 2024, dozens of students walked out during Seinfeld's commencement address at Duke University, some holding Palestinian flags.
Seinfeld returned to the university in September 2025 to introduce freed Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov at a campus event, where he addressed anti-Israel protests, saying, "Free Palestine is, to me, just — you’re free to say you don’t like Jews. Just say you don’t like Jews."
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"By saying ‘Free Palestine,’ you’re not admitting what you really think," he said. "So, it’s actually — compared to the Ku Klux Klan, I’m actually thinking the Klan is actually a little better here because they can come right out and say, ‘We don’t like Blacks, we don’t like Jews.’ OK, that’s honest."
Seinfeld also faced controversy overseas last month when several European acts withdrew from the inaugural MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest in Lisbon, Portugal, where he is scheduled to headline later this year.
The acts did not name Seinfeld directly in their withdrawal statements, but some cited concerns about the Israel-Gaza conflict. One performer said someone involved in the festival defended ideas they considered indefensible.
Young, who previously dismissed efforts to cancel Seinfeld over his support for Israel, argued that protesters target the billionaire comedian because of his influence and celebrity status.
"This is all about control. It's all about power. And it's all about the left having power over these very influential and powerful people," Young said. "And they’re not having it."
Pennsylvania socialist Democrat says he opposes imprisonment except for 'lawless MAGA thugs'
Pennsylvania congressional candidate and state Rep. Chris Rabb said this week that while he's against incarceration, he's in favor of locking up "lawless MAGA thugs."
"I’m a decarceration person," Rabb said on left-wing podcaster Wajahat Ali's show. "I believe the country that represents 5% of the world population, but 25% of the people put in cages is morally wrong. It’s also bad policy, but I will make an exception for all of those f---ers who are lawless MAGA thugs, who have destroyed lives and communities, lock all of those f---ers up. I know that seems a little hypocritical of me being on the left and being anti-incarceration, but lock those f---ers up."
Rabb, who was among several members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) who won Democratic primaries this year, urged members of Congress to impeach and subpoena the people "who are destroying what’s left of our fragile democracy."
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He also acknowledged the irony of a socialist supporting incarceration but doubled down on the idea.
"I hope you all will forgive me in my, perhaps, weakness. It’s not vengefulness, but right is right," Rabb said. "We should have a level playing field. If there are moms who are going to jail because they changed what school district they are so that their kids could get a better education, and they get locked up, you better believe a Jared Kushner should be experiencing some jail time. So if that makes me a conservative, gosh, but we need to send a message."
Fox News Digital reached out to Rabb's campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
"Trump-deranged Democrats have no agenda except to lob unhinged attacks against the President and obstruct the agenda he was elected to implement. This person is clearly disturbed and should seek help," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told Fox News Digital.
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Rabb's comments resembled ones made by Florida Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon, who, despite being a DSA member, has insisted that she is not a socialist.
In an interview with CNN, Nixon told host Kasie Hunt that she would like to see her opponent, Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., locked up.
"They are spreading, like, a lot of disinformation and lies on commercials about me, of saying things like, I want to abolish prisons and I want to defund the police," Nixon said. "Why would I want to do that when I want her locked up and punished in jail for what she has done?"
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When asked by Hunt to clarify whether she wanted to see Moody locked up, Nixon replied, "Basically, yes. Because of what she did, yes. I absolutely would want that to happen. Yes."
Bedbugs found in plane's economy seats force major airline to cancel flight
An international flight scheduled to travel from Italy to Australia was abruptly canceled last week when a bedbug infestation was discovered in the cabin during the earlier flight — with the airline issuing an apology for the incident.
The grounding came after passengers on the nearly 17-hour Qantas journey from Perth to Rome reported being bitten by the insects on Friday, Oct. 9, as The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
"We sincerely apologize to customers for the cancellation of Saturday’s Rome to Perth service, which allowed our engineers and maintenance teams to carry out a deep clean of the aircraft after an issue [was] identified on a small number of economy seats," Qantas Airways Limited told Fox News Digital.
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Passenger Hailey Bagnall told the TV news program "9News Sydney" that bedbugs were "crawling over our belongings, our clothing, our Qantas blankets — and they were even crawling along the window."
The aircraft involved in the incident was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Other travelers also recounted their experiences to "9News," with one passenger claiming to be "woken by screaming," while another noted that "the bugs just kept coming."
As they collected their bags, the passengers discovered the pests were inside their shoes and crawling on their clothing.
Travelers first alerted the flight crew about the bedbugs during the initial Sydney-to-Perth leg of the journey, according to "9News."
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The airline said that before departing on the subsequent long-haul leg to Rome, staff took several preventative measures, including deep cleaning the cabin, removing seat coverings and soft furnishings, and cordoning off the impacted seats.
Qantas also noted that its aircraft are regularly cleaned to a high standard and undergo a precautionary disinfectant treatment every 50 days.
To alleviate the itchy bites, travelers on the flight were provided with antihistamines, though the crew eventually ran out of the medication, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
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After the return flight, which had been due to depart from Rome to Perth on Saturday, Oct. 10, was canceled to complete the deep cleaning, affected passengers were provided with hotel accommodations and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours.
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Benjamin Hottel, a Georgia-based entomologist with Orkin, previously told Fox News Digital that bedbugs are skilled at "hitchhiking" on personal belongings.
Measuring between one and five millimeters, the insects feed on human blood.
Health officials note, however, that while their bites cause itching and swelling, bedbugs are not known to spread disease and are not considered a public health hazard.
Hottel noted that travelers can unknowingly carry bedbugs onto planes, into hotels and eventually back home.
Hottel recommended inspecting luggage and clothing after trips and placing travel clothes in a dryer on high heat for about 30 to 45 minutes if exposure is suspected.
He said that can help eliminate the insects before they spread inside the home.
Kelly McGreal of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
Eagles appear set to add QB from Cowboys' practice squad as Jalen Hurts deals with blood clot
In the NFL, availability is often described as a player’s best ability. Since taking over as the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback, Jalen Hurts has largely embodied that idea.
The Super Bowl LIX MVP started all 17 games in 2023, missed two games with a concussion in 2024 and sat out Philadelphia’s regular-season finale that year as the Eagles rested most of their starters ahead of the playoffs.
Backup quarterback Tanner McKee filled in for Hurts in Week 18 to close the 2025 season and will be called upon again this Sunday. Hurts has been ruled out by what the team has described as a superficial blood clot in his calf.
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Hurts was considered a full participant in Friday’s practice leading into this past Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, despite dealing with a calf injury. He was not on the injury report for last week's game in London.
While McKee will be QB1 this weekend, the Eagles appear to be turning to a division rival to bolster their quarterback room and potentially push rookie Cole Payton out of the backup role in Week 6.
According to multiple reports, Philadelphia is set to sign Joe Milton off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. Under NFL rules, any player signed from another team’s practice squad must be placed on the new team’s 53-man roster. Milton will therefore be on the active roster when the Eagles host the Carolina Panthers and look to snap their three-game losing streak.
The timeline for Hurts’ return remains unclear. The Eagles did, however, release a statement detailing how the blood clot was discovered.
"On Thursday, October 8th, Jalen visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf," the team said. "He informed the medical staff he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report."
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The statement also said team doctors recommended a follow-up scan after the game.
"Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team's flight to London and walkthrough. The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia."
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Payton, a fifth-round pick in April’s draft, has appeared in just one game this season. He has yet to attempt a pass in a regular-season game. Milton has slightly more NFL experience, though he has never started a game. In limited action, he has flashed both mobility and the arm strength that made him an intriguing prospect.
Sam Howell won the Cowboys' backup job during the offseason, prompting Milton’s departure from Dallas. Milton said he was surprised by the decision at the time. "It was shocking. But it's life. You got to be able to live with it and deliver blows back when it's time," he said.
Milton was later added to Dallas’ practice squad, where he spent the past five weeks before the Eagles came calling Friday.
It remains unclear what the Eagles’ decision to add a quarterback signals about Hurts’ status or whether they expect him to miss an extended period.
Hurts has thrown for 933 yards and eight touchdowns in five games this season.
Arizona Cardinals fans have reached the 'buying billboard space' point of frustration
Fans of any struggling franchise go through different stages of voicing their frustration, and supporters of the 1-4 Arizona Cardinals have reached a big one.
They've officially hit the "going out and buying billboard space" point of frustration with team ownership.
According to AZFamily, a couple of electronic billboards have popped up in the Phoenix area with a very straightforward, no-nonsense message to owner and team president Michael Bidwill.
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That message? "SELL THE TEAM. Funded by Cardinals Fans. #BIDWILLOUT."
You know things are getting dire when fans start dropping billboard money.
This billboard campaign was reportedly the work of a fellow by the name of Nathan Kropp, better known as Mr. AZ Sports on social media.
It's been another tough stretch for the team, which has dropped four in a row after winning their season opener. However, Kropp says that what really got him pricing billboard space was this past weekend's game at State Farm Stadium, where he says more fans were rooting for the Lions than the Cardinals.
Maybe Lions fans just travel well, but it didn't sit well with Kropp or many other Cardinals fans.
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"And then I went on X, and people were just completely outraged," Kropp explained. "Like, I’ve never seen the fan base; I’ve seen the fan base upset."
So, he started making some calls, and before you know it — voila! — there were enough disgruntled fans to get not one, but two electronic billboards in the Phoenix area.
Kropp said that the toughest thing about being a Cardinals fan is how the team, which hasn't won a postseason game in over a decade, is spinning its wheels.
"They want something (to change)," he said of the team's fanbase. "Like, it’s hard to be a Cardinals fan right now."
So will these billboards bring about that change?
Probably not, but it's definitely going to put the organization — which, perhaps obviously, didn't offer any comments on the billboards — on notice.
Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito has unusual tie to Milwaukee Brewers' last World Series run
In case you missed it, the Milwaukee Brewers are heading to the World Series.
The Brew Crew swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, erasing an early four-run deficit to capture their first pennant in 44 years.
Milwaukee is now just four wins away from their first World Series title in franchise history, but their championship pedigree might run a little deeper than it might seem on the surface.
You see, the last time the Brewers made it to the Fall Classic, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito was the team's bat boy.
Zito famously manufactured the blueprint that led to the Panthers winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, but on this day 44 years ago, he was just a high schooler happy to play a small part in another team's run to a title.
According to the New York Post, Zito revealed in an interview with NHL writer Matt Larkin just how much of an influence then-Brewers manager Harry Dalton had on his career in the league.
"He took me under his wing," Zito said. "It was the 1982 Brewers, who went to Game 7 of the World Series. He was so kind to me and afforded me the opportunity. I could go up to his office whenever I wanted, I could learn scouting. He took the time to explain everything to me and always encouraged me to get into the management side."
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It seems like everything this guy touches in his life turns to gold, so if the Brewers were smart, they'd bring Zito back as an honorary bat boy or at the very least have him throw out a ceremonial first pitch for one of their home games this series.
If that happens and Milwaukee ends up winning The Commissioner's Trophy as a result, you can go ahead and add that to Zito's extensive resume as a winner.
Now if the NHL would just award him that much-deserved GM of the Year award that has eluded him these past few seasons, he'd really be cooking.
White House reporters react to Katie Zacharia's 'brutal' exit as Trump's press secretary
White House reporters were stunned by the brief tenure of President Donald Trump's press secretary Katie Zacharia after just five days on the job.
"Brutal," one White House correspondent reacted to Fox News Digital.
Zacharia, who first took to the podium Tuesday after the August departure of her predecessor Karoline Leavitt, did not receive the warmest reception among critics who pointed to her nervous demeanor and how she only called on three reporters during her debut.
"I knew she was out two minutes into her prepared remarks on Tuesday," a second White House reporter told Fox News Digital. "It was just too drastically different from Karoline. We were all shocked after.
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"Karoline was beautiful and hardcore MAGA ... and dignified and professional and substantive. She set a new standard for press secretaries. You can't just be hot and good on TV."
A third White House correspondent expressed surprise Trump offered her the job in the first place, saying, "Usually, he’s spot on about who has 'it' and who doesn’t.
"There is no excuse for Katie’s first briefing performance," the reporter said. "In that role, you have to be the best communicator because your job is speaking to the American people on the president’s behalf. No one expected her to have all the answers or even most of them. But I expected basic communication skills that were simply not there."
"She probably could have been better than Karine Jean-Pierre if she had more time to prepare. But it was a brutal start," a fourth White House reporter told Fox News Digital.
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While Zacharia's shaky performance in the briefing room drew a lot of attention, it was her repeated claims of having been a lawyer that may have been more lethal to her future in the Trump administration.
The fourth White House reporter suggested that was a "bigger threat" than her first and only day at the podium.
A fifth White House correspondent who spoke with Fox News Digital was of two minds. On one hand, the reporter said Zacharia deserves no sympathy since she accepted the job she was "manifestly unqualified for," noting her embellished resumé she knew would eventually be exposed.
"On the other hand, shame on the president," the correspondent said. "He was clearly getting antsy and impulsive. He wanted his new press secretary now, and he wasn't going to let mean old Susie Wiles tell him to wait while she convinced someone more competent and more prepared for one of the hardest jobs in government to actually take that job."
The correspondent pointed to current staffers in the White House communications shop like Anna Kelly and Lauren Bis as individuals who can handle the job but aren't "central casting" in Trump's eyes.
"He took someone who seemed like a nice young woman who was defending him on TV, doing an OK job of that, and subjected her to a massive amount of humiliation and made her a national laughingstock because he didn't want to be told no," the reporter said of Zacharia.
"I don't want to say he ruined her life, but she's gonna be a punchline for a very long time. And that's not fair."
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As the search continues for Zacharia's replacement, a sixth White House correspondent insisted it "doesn't matter" who serves as press secretary during the current administration.
"Trump lies every day about everything and frequently changes his mind completely, leaving his staff looking foolish," the reporter told Fox News Digital.
NBC News White House correspondent Garrett Haake said the drama surrounding Zacharia reflects a "bigger problem" for Trump and his staff.
"The ouster of now-former Press Sec Katie Zacharia highlights a bigger problem for the Trump White House two weeks til the midterms: They're struggling to drive any message. Meandering rallies, staff stories taking up oxygen, long hard-to-hear gaggles, no briefings," Haake wrote on X.
"There is nothing more cringe than a bunch of reporters cackling amongst themselves because they’ll never have the talent to take on a job as important as press secretary," White House communications director Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital.
"It’s easy to sling arrows at others, but when they are on the receiving end, they’ll complain like it’s the end of the world. Reporters have the thinnest skin."
Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy reported Friday that Zacharia will be "transitioning out" of the job after Trump appeared unsure about her as his press secretary when speaking with reporters.
"I just spoke to her about it. I said, 'Katie, is this really for you?'" Trump said. "I said to her, 'Honestly, if I were you, I'd reconsider. You think about it.
"Maybe it's not for her," he later added.
Trump's search for a new White House press secretary continues after the departure of Karoline Leavitt in August. Leavitt has since joined Fox News as a contributor.
Cookies, liquor and mocking Nazis fuel final stretch in fiery Texas House race
A Texas Democratic congressional candidate's campaign reported more than $4,300 in spending on cookies, Mexican restaurant purchases and beer and wine earlier this year, according to federal election records, drawing renewed attention after a heated debate in which she apologized for a remark about her Republican opponent "making fun of Nazis."
Katy Padilla Stout, the Democrat nominee for Texas' 23rd Congressional District, reported expenditures totaling $4,338.14 in five transactions in March and April, according to spending details cited in an August report by RedState and records attributed to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The reported purchases included $675 for cookies for a campaign event, $1,289.22 at Total Wine and $2,373.92 at Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana.
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The expenditures have also become a line of attack for Republican Brandon Herrera, whose campaign website showcases the cookie purchase and accuses Stout of using donor funds to pay for the treats.
According to the spending details, the campaign reported a $675 payment dated March 30 with the stated purpose "COOKIES FOR EVENT." Herrera's website identifies the payee as Denise Gamboa Zelle and categorizes the expense as a campaign event expenditure.
Additional transactions included $1,089.08 at Total Wine on April 21 and $200.14 the following day, both described as "BEER AND WINE."
The campaign also reported payments of $2,027.52 and $346.40 to Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana on April 27 and April 28, respectively, according to the transaction details.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Stout said the disbursements "were for campaign and fundraising events which were attended by our supporters."
"Sugar cookies, particularly Texas-shaped ones, hold a special place in Texan culture," she said. "We bought ours at a local bakery because we believe in supporting small businesses."
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The filings establish that the campaign reported the expenditures but do not establish whether the purchases were improper, whether any were for personal use or how many people attended the associated events.
The spending has attracted criticism from Herrera's campaign, which maintains an opposition website, The Real Katy Stout.
Under a section labeled "Cookie gate," the site highlights the $675 expenditure and displays the reported purpose, "COOKIES FOR EVENT."
The website also criticizes Stout's positions on immigration, taxes and other issues.
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The spending questions come as the two candidates compete for a congressional seat representing one of the country's largest districts along the southern border. During Tuesday's televised debate in San Antonio, Stout also drew attention for an unusual exchange involving Herrera's online videos.
"He made millions of dollars after making jokes online, making fun of Nazis, making fun of all of these things that we know he does not need to be doing," Stout said in a heated moment during the debate.
Herrera responded, "And here I thought making fun of Nazis was a good thing."
Stout later apologized and clarified her criticism after closing remarks.
"I apologize, I did misspeak," she said. "He chooses to goose-step on YouTube for clickbait and money so that he can promote that type of ideology. He chooses to shame women."
The exchange was part of a debate hosted by WOAI/KABB, during which the congressional candidates also sparred over gun rights, immigration and the cost of living.
Stout told Fox News Digital "mocking Nazis is fine, and that is not what I objected to, nor is that what my opponent does."
"I object to content that trivializes veteran suicide, rape, child murder, women’s bodies and the Holocaust, the type of content he churns out," she added. "You can hear his disgusting commentary straight from his own mouth at HeReallySaidThat.com.
"Do I think he promotes Nazi imagery? Yes. In a video posted 5/24/22, he goose-steps to 'Erika,' and touts an MP-40 machine gun. In another video posted 6/23/20, he said 'for the fatherland' before firing a Nazi-made STG 44, calling it 'like a religious experience.'
"Calling it a joke doesn’t change what it is: giving a platform to Nazi symbols and weaponry for clicks and money. In my view, the 'I’m only joking' defense is a familiar tactic among neo-Nazi and antisemitic content creators. His content has attracted bipartisan condemnation, including the Republican Jewish Coalition, which called my opponent 'a goose-stepping extremist who pals around with online Nazis.'"
Stout, a former teacher and child welfare attorney, has emphasized affordability and corruption as central themes of her campaign.
Herrera, a firearms manufacturer and online personality who has adopted "Let's Go Brandon" as his campaign slogan, has campaigned on border law enforcement, tax reductions and Second Amendment protections.
The two are vying to replace former Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, who resigned earlier this year after acknowledging an affair with a staffer.
Texas' 23rd Congressional District stretches from the San Antonio area toward El Paso and includes hundreds of miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Early voting begins Oct. 19, with Election Day scheduled for Nov. 3.
The campaign for Brandon Herrera did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
WA schools chief dismisses girls' sports fairness concerns, says athletes' brains aren't fully developed
With every word, these leaders shed another shred of dignity. The latest to shrink was Washington state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.
Appearing on the Seattle-based radio show "Jake and Spike," the head of Washington's public school system made some remarks about the boys-in-girls-sports debate that seemed outlandish by even a politician's standards.
The issue at hand was Initiative 638, a Nov. 3 ballot measure in Washington that, if passed, would keep biological males out of K-12 sports. Host Jake Skorheim brought up the situation in southern Washington, where members of the Camas High girls cross country team walked off the start line Tuesday in protest of having to run in the same event as a boy.
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Answered Reykdal: "Let's face it, this is happening across the country, where we've empowered young people to make important decisions. And 99% of the time, they're good friends and colleagues, and they respect their transgender colleagues. But some don't agree with it, and that's their right to express that."
This doesn't sound too objectionable on its face, but there did seem to be a subtle dig at the protesters. Reykdal said that 99% of young athletes are "good friends and colleagues" and that they "respect their transgender colleagues." It's almost as though he's implying the 1% are disrespectful. No. Surely there are some girls out there who are OK with competing against biological boys. The fact that protesters have received backlash from various teammates proves as much. But just because other athletes aren't going public with their disapproval doesn't mean they like it. They just don't want the smoke that comes with being outspoken.
Second — choosing not to compete against a trans athlete does not make one disrespectful toward the trans community. It is simply acknowledging an unmistakable biological advantage and highlighting the unfairness.
Reykdal continued: "The much larger issue here is: Can we accommodate 10, 12, 15 kids a year and make them feel included? Or do we have to go through an initiative process where every single girl has to prove, through one of three methods, that she's a girl in order to participate?"
The term "inclusivity" has been co-opted to vilify anyone who opposes males in female sports. The truth is that sports at most levels are designed to be exclusive. Only a certain number of athletes make the team, or get to start, or reach the final heat, or get a scholarship. And those "10, 12 or 15 kids" often have great success. Last year, high school trans athletes won girls' state track-and-field championships in Washington, Oregon and California. And at Camas, a biological male went from 76th in a boys JV race to first in a varsity girls meet.
Hence Skorheim's next question.
"I hear what you're saying, but specifically, I want to ask about this case in Camas. They're racing against somebody who, earlier in the year, was 76th running for the boys cross-country team, who placed second here. Now, those girls had to forfeit because they had no chance of winning."
Answered Reykdal: "Well, I raised two kids, and one of them was a daughter in sports. And my take is, you have a choice to make. You're going to compete and do the best you can and embrace your colleagues, or you're going to walk off and make a statement. And that's okay, too."
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I don't want to put words in Reykdal's mouth, but it almost sounds like he's telling these girls to simply compete, do their best and accept the circumstances — regardless of whether those circumstances are fair. But would he say something similar about athletes competing against people on steroids? That they should just embrace their "colleagues." Probably not. Again, this isn't about discrimination or hate — it's about fairness.
But Reykdal's answer to the following question is much more egregious.
"If your daughter was running against a boy—an athlete who raced as a boy and was 76th, and then had to race against that same athlete on your team—does that seem like a fair situation to you?" asked Skorheim.
Answered Reykdal: "I don't see it that way, Jake. I just don't. These are young, developing people whose brains aren't going to fully develop until they're 25."
Excuse me?
Sorry, kids, we don't owe you fairness because your brains aren't fully developed. And while we're at it, we can shortchange college athletes because, unless they're at BYU, they're all under 25 as well.
I've seen people try to dismiss this issue with an arsenal of arguments — that I-638 proponents are bigoted, that trans athletes are rare or that proving one's gender will require "invasive genital inspections" (untrue). But their brains aren't fully developed is a new one.
Again, you won't see politicians bluntly say that it's OK to have boys compete against girls. That's a losing argument. So instead, you get mental gymnastics worthy of the all-around gold.
Sorry, but with answers like these — you have to wonder whose brains are truly undeveloped.
Recovering from lung surgery, Pope Leo urges Putin to agree to ceasefire in Russian-held Ukraine city
Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin while recovering from surgery in the hospital to urge him to call a ceasefire in the city of Oleshky in Ukraine.
"During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population," the Vatican said in a statement.
"Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace."
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The situation in Oleshky is dire with no humanitarian food deliveries allowed in the Russian-controlled city since May. It also has no electricity, gas or running water, and the hospital is barely functional.
The pope was diagnosed with lung cancer Tuesday and underwent a procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
The 71-year-old remained in the hospital recovering on Friday but seemed to be doing well.
Along with the call, he held Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel, and the Vatican released the first images of him since his surgery, which showed him standing at an altar.
POPE LEO XIV SEEN FOR FIRST TIME SINCE LUNG CANCER SURGERY AMID MAJOR RECOVERY MILESTONE
His doctors said he showed "continued improvement."
"His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own," a medical update signed by his personal physician, Luigi Carbone, and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, said.
The pope is expected to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer service on Sunday either from the hospital or the Vatican.
He is also still expected to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru starting Nov. 6 as planned.
The Kremlin blames Ukraine for the situation in Oleshky with Putin giving the pope a "detailed explanation regarding the Kyiv regime’s responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation there," the Kremlin said.
Putin also supports "the Vatican’s intention to help create conditions for ensuring the safety of the local population and facilitating the delivery of essential supplies," the Kremin added.