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11 visitors trapped as dangerous flash flooding tears through iconic national park
Eleven visitors became stranded during flash flooding at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah after heavy rain swept through the area.
The hikers, all adults traveling in four separate groups, became trapped around 2:30 p.m. Monday as floodwaters affected several popular trails, according to FOX 13 in Salt Lake City.
While none of the hikers was swept away, conditions left the groups unable to continue safely, the outlet reported.
MAN PLUNGES 120 FEET INTO CREEK WHILE TAKING PHOTO AT FAMOUS NATIONAL PARK
About 15 to 20 members of the county's search and rescue team, emergency medical services and the National Park Service responded to help the stranded visitors.
The rescuers had to wait for conditions to improve in order to move people out safely.
The rescuers then helped the groups make their way out of the affected areas, according to FOX 13.
Following medical evaluations, two hikers showed signs of hypothermia and were taken to a hospital.
The other nine were released, the outlet reported.
The flooding affected several of Bryce Canyon's well-known trails, including Fairyland Loop, Navajo Loop, Queen's Garden and Peek-a-Boo Loop, according to reports.
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The incident came during the Southwest's monsoon season, a period Bryce Canyon officials had warned visitors about earlier this month.
In a recent news release, the National Park Service said August and September can bring rapidly changing weather to the region, with seemingly clear conditions giving way to intense afternoon thunderstorms.
Those storms can create hazards including flash floods, trail washouts, debris-filled waterfalls and rockfalls, according to the park service.
"Weather in the park can shift quickly," the National Park Service warned in the news release, urging visitors to remain aware of conditions both where they are and upstream.
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Park officials also cautioned that flash floods can pose a serious threat inside the canyon and advised visitors to check weather forecasts and flash-flood potential before heading onto trails.
"We want to help visitors enjoy their experience and take home memories that last a lifetime," Bryce Canyon National Park Superintendent Allana Olbrich said in the news release.
"We also want to help them do so safely, and having good information and awareness of the conditions they may encounter in these natural environments can make all the difference in creating those lasting memories," Olbrich added.
The National Park Service recommends checking current park alerts and National Weather Service forecasts before entering the canyon and adjusting plans when conditions change.
Fox News Digital reached out to Bryce Canyon National Park and the Garfield’s County Sheriff’s Office for further comment and details.
Pumpkin spice invades summer as Americans kickstart fall traditions earlier than ever
If it seems like fall décor and seasonal food and drinks are arriving earlier each year, it's not just in your head.
Data show consumers are increasingly embracing "season creep" — shopping for seasonal products earlier than they did in years past.
Younger consumers' enthusiasm for fall, a desire to plan ahead and retailers' efforts to extend seasonal spending may all be helping drive the shift.
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Last year, the popular pumpkin spice latte (PSL) returned to Dunkin' on Aug. 20 and to Starbucks on Aug. 26. Both coffeehouse chains brought their fall offerings back a day earlier this year, with Dunkin' launching its fall menu on Aug. 19 and Starbucks bringing back its PSL on Aug. 25, Florida Today reported.
Data from online grocery delivery and pickup service Instacart showed that in 2024, "the seasonal peak for orders containing pumpkin spice items occurred on September 17, a full 10 days earlier than in 2023."
Demand also cooled sooner, according to Instacart, though orders for pumpkin spice items, such as flavored coffee creamers and yogurts, spiked again in November as Thanksgiving drew near.
Food delivery service DoorDash reported in 2025 that "pumpkin spice is brewing sooner than ever."
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PSL demand spiked on Aug. 19, nearly two weeks earlier than in 2021, the company reported.
DoorDash also found that grocery orders for ingredients used to make fall-inspired drinks at home began spiking in late July.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 49% of consumers said in 2025 that they would begin shopping for Halloween before October, compared with 34% a decade earlier.
"More 18- to 24-year-old early shoppers say they look forward to fall or that Halloween is one of their favorite holidays, and they plan accordingly," the NRF reported. "Their early Halloween shopping isn't about 'impulse purchases,' but rather intentional planning ahead."
Younger shoppers were much more likely to say they wanted to avoid the stress of last-minute shopping for décor and costumes, according to the NRF survey.
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Seasons affect people's minds and behavior for several reasons, Michael Varnum, professor and social psychology area head at Arizona State University, told Fox News Digital.
Some of these effects are physiological, such as the ways our bodies and hormones respond to changes in light, temperature and other climatic conditions throughout the year, he said.
The way seasons cause changes in illness, travel or population may also cue changes in how we think and act, Varnum noted.
"How we respond to seasons isn't purely driven by actual changes in the environment but is also shaped by other associations, traditions, rituals and schedules – spring break, back to school in fall, Halloween, Christmas, etc. – that are built into our society and what we learn from an early age," he said.
Climate and the environment also likely play a part, he said, reasoning that hotter summers could make people more eager for the cooler weather of fall.
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Varnum said it's interesting that our culture's comfort in and enjoyment of seasonal traditions are heavily shaped by a model of four seasons "that doesn't necessarily fit well with what actually changes in the weather and environment in all parts of the world."
He also acknowledged that a big part of season creep may be driven by marketing.
"My guess is that retailers and others hope to capture boosts in spending associated with holidays or seasonal shifts earlier with the idea that it might extend the period for which they'll see it in their sales," he said.
He added that it would be "interesting to know whether such marketing might be more or perhaps less effective when there is more of a mismatch between the season being invoked and the actual weather or time of year."
Dodgers and Braves offenses should have a field day with two questionable pitchers on the mound
It was not a very fun day on the diamond for me. The bullpens got me in both games last night, and I went 0-2. It was a very frustrating thing to watch. Basically, picture yourself building a tower of cards or popsicle sticks only for someone to come and take away the foundation right as you're about to finish the job. The Cubs bullpen gave up five runs over the final two innings, losing the game. And Mason Miller, one of the best closers in baseball, allowed a run in a scoreless game to give the Pirates a win. Sometimes you can't dodge bad luck. Hopefully, I get some positive play in my favor now.
The Los Angeles Dodgers come into this one as just the second team in baseball to win 80 games. Although they will almost certainly win the National League West, they are still in a battle with the Brewers for the #1 overall seed in both the National League and the Majors. What is wild about the Dodgers is they aren't even playing with their best possible team. The pitching staff is finally looking a bit healthier than normal, but Will Smith is out, Kyle Tucker is playing poorly, Shohei Ohtani isn't pitching, and Dalton Rushing is also on the injured list. There is still another level the Dodgers can go to.
The roster might as well be an All-Star team, and this pitching staff is absurd. Tyler Glasnow is their fifth starter on the depth chart — he would be the first for probably about 25 other teams. Due to the injuries and conservation of the staff, the team throws a sixth starter, Roki Sasaki. He is one of the younger guys in the rotation, and someone who it seems like the Dodgers are still trying to figure out how to use. He was outstanding in the postseason for them last year. This season, in 22 starts, he is 5-5 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has pitched fairly well in August, but Braves hitters have been decent against him with three hits in just 11 at-bats.
The Atlanta Braves aren't too far behind the Dodgers, but they now must once again fend off the Phillies, who are hot on their tail. Two weeks ago, it felt like the Braves would coast to the postseason as the leaders in the National League East. Now they only have a 4.5-game lead, and most of that is due to the Phillies being hot, and less about the Braves struggling. However, over their last 10 games, the Phillies are 8-2, while the Braves are just 4-6. Still, the chances of either team missing the postseason are pretty low.
Looking to complete the series win over the Dodgers is AJ Smith-Shawver. For the season, Smith-Shawver has made only two starts, allowing six earned runs in 8.2 innings. He has walked five batters while giving up nine hits in that span as well, so there has been plenty of traffic on the base paths. This will be his first home start, and that could be a benefit to him as young guys might need that home crowd behind them. This is actually his fourth year in Major League time, so he has faced two Dodgers hitters and they are 2-for-7 against him. Alex Call is 2-for-5 with a double and triple.
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The Braves have won the first game of the series, so if they can steal this one, they complete the series win of two teams that might end up in the National League Championship Series. It really doesn't mean much, but it would give Atlanta a little more confidence. I think this game likely sees some runs as both teams are gifted on offense and both pitchers look like they are more than willing to allow baserunners. I like the over 8.5 here. I also like the Dodgers to win the game. I'm playing the over, but I'll sprinkle the Dodgers money line as well.
For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
Jelly Roll unleashes crude jokes about Trump's weight on 'Kimmel', 'from one fat pig to another'
Country music star Jelly Roll, who previously said he was not political, mocked President Donald Trump's weight, physical fitness and approval ratings Monday night in Los Angeles while guest-hosting "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", while using the president's appearance at Washington's Freedom 250 Grand Prix and recent physical as material for his opening monologue.
"Well, Mr. President, from one fat pig to another, take it from me that physical fitness is very important. And trust me, you’ll be happy to see your penis again," Jelly Roll said. "It’s crazy. Think about this, y’all. In the last few years, I’ve lost 300 pounds. That means I’ve lost an entire Donald Trump."
"And let’s be honest, based on his approval ratings, it seems like most of the country wants to do the same thing," he added.
Fox News Digital reached out to the RNC for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
TRUMP TAKES HONORARY LAP AROUND INDYCAR TRACK IN WASHINGTON AHEAD OF FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX
A Reuters/Ipsos survey released last week placed Trump at 33% approval and 64% disapproval, tying the lowest approval rating across both of his terms, Fox News Digital reported.
"President Trump has signed the largest middle-class tax cuts in history, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, sealed the border, driven violent crime to the lowest level in nearly a century, unleashed an energy revolution and sent Americans’ 401(k)s climbing to record highs," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital in response to questions about the polling.
"President Trump is cleaning up Joe Biden’s mess, and there is more work to do, but the United States of America has never been stronger," she continued.
Jelly Roll began the political portion of the monologue by discussing Sunday's Freedom 250 Grand Prix. Trump and first lady Melania Trump completed an honorary lap in the presidential limousine before the president waved the green flag to start the race, which Kyle Kirkwood won, according to OutKick.
"The president seemed to enjoy the IndyCar race, which was a real switch up for him, because normally he only likes his own race," Jelly Roll said.
He joked about the reaction to his previous Trump quips on Tuesday night's "Kimmel" show, saying he couldn't believe he would have "stunned" anyone with Trump jokes.
"Some folks online were upset that I didn't treat the president with reverence and dignity," he said. "But I want to remind y'all that I go by the name Jelly Roll. I don't even treat myself with reverence and dignity."
He added the president should be able to "handle a few jokes."
"I get it that some people are mad at me for goofing on Trump, but if you wanted me to make jokes about Kamala Harris, you should have voted for her," he said.
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The monologue marked a rare political turn for Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord. After the Grammy Awards in February, he declined to offer an immediate opinion about the country’s political climate and questioned why people would seek his views, Fox News Digital reported.
"You know, I’m a dumb redneck. Like, I haven’t watched enough. I didn’t have a phone for 18 months," Jelly Roll said.
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His Monday remarks also differed from his response after meeting Trump at UFC 309 in 2024, when the then-president-elect told Jelly Roll that he liked his song "Save Me." Jelly Roll defended the encounter and said his family taught him to honor the office regardless of its occupant.
Jelly Roll first guest-hosted "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in July 2025 and returned this week while Kimmel was on his summer break.
Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this story.
Green New Dodge: El-Sayed runs from policy as newly surfaced deleted posts show years of support
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed told Fox News host Jesse Watters on Monday that he would not defend the Green New Deal when confronted with his past support for the progressive climate proposal, a notable shift from years of publicly embracing it by name.
"Look, I’m not going to defend the Green New Deal," El-Sayed told Watters after the host confronted him over his past support for the proposal. When Watters reiterated that El-Sayed was on record supporting it, El-Sayed redirected the discussion toward lowering energy costs and creating Michigan jobs by prioritizing renewables.
Michigan, which Trump won in 2024 but lost in 2020, is shaping up to have one of the most competitive Senate races in the country, with the likely narrow results in the state potentially determining control of Congress. Critics charge that El-Sayed is downplaying some of his past beliefs and scrubbing his online footprint to appear more moderate, and therefore more palatable, to Michigan voters.
Though El-Sayed declined to defend the Green New Deal in front of a national audience, he previously hasn’t been so shy.
A Fox News Digital review of El-Sayed's deleted social media posts, preserved via the Internet Archive, uncovered dozens of examples of the Michigan Senate hopeful defending the Green New Deal by name.
"Rather than announcing the next iteration of this or that car at [the North American International Auto Show 2019], I’d love to see automakers announce that they support the #GreenNewDeal," El-Sayed wrote in January of that year.
On the primary campaign trail, Rep. Haley Stevens criticized El-Sayed over his past support for the Green New Deal on the grounds that it could lead to job losses in the automobile manufacturing industry.
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"The struggle for the Green New Deal uplifts the struggle for racial justice," El-Sayed wrote in April 2019.
The Green New Deal is a 2019 progressive policy framework floated by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., that seeks to gradually transition the United States’ electrical grid away from fossil fuels. Their plan has become synonymous with the left-wing faction of the Democratic Party, leading many Democrats running in competitive races to distance themselves from it.
In another post, from September 2019, El-Sayed wrote, "I believe in a Green New Deal" five times in all caps. He also suggested that the Green New Deal is essential to preserve freedom of speech because there can be no First Amendment "without the freedom to breathe the breath you have to take to speak in the first place."
"The #GreenNewDeal doesn’t center polar bears or glaciers, it centers those children forced to breath (sic.) in corporate pollution in their communities," El-Sayed wrote. "I stand with the Green New Deal because it stands for those kids."
WATCH: SURFACED VIDEOS OF DEM SENATE CANDIDATE BACKING 'DEFUND THE POLICE' CONTRADICT RECENT DENIALS
CNN previously reported that El-Sayed scrubbed large swathes of his commentary from the internet prior to announcing his run for Senate. The deletions appear to have been selective, as he still has some posts up from before he launched his campaign.
In his since-deleted social media posts, El-Sayed endorsed the "defund the police" movement, argued cities spent too much policing poverty and described police departments as "standing armies we deploy against our own people." In a separate YouTube video that was later hidden, he floated replacing the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms with a constitutional right to healthcare and called Border Patrol agents "white supremacists" while blaming American policies for migration from struggling nations.
Though El-Sayed regularly mentioned the Green New Deal on X prior to running for Senate, he has not posted the phrase even once since announcing his candidacy, a review found.
The El-Sayed campaign did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
Liam Neeson and Zachary Levi lead ex-CIA heist in Tehran in new trailer for 'The Fix'
A new trailer is out for Liam Neeson's upcoming CIA film "The Fix."
Basic info:
A preview for "The Fix" was released back in late July, and it immediately generated a lot of buzz online. It's not hard to understand why.
A film about hardened operators going into Tehran for a top-secret heist mission is about as good as it gets when it comes to the perfect movie for your standard dude.
Well, a new preview dropped on Wednesday, and it's going to send expectations soaring even higher for the upcoming movie.
Give it a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
This movie looks like it's going to be the perfect popcorn flick. It might not win any awards, but that's okay. Often, the most fun films are the ones that have no interest in chasing awards.
It's all about the action, suspense and fun. That's exactly what "The Fix" appears to be.
Plus, the cast is outstanding. Liam Neeson is a legit A-list superstar, and this genre is perfect for the former "Taken" star.
Zachary Levi is a great second leading man. I have no doubt the two will team up for an epic ride.
You can catch "The Fix" starting Sept. 11. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
Federal judge strikes down Texas restriction on drag shows, offers people a 'simple' solution
A federal judge in Texas struck down a state-level ban on drag shows Tuesday, saying the law violated the First Amendment.
The ruling from U.S. District Judge David Hittner, a Reagan appointee, prevents Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from enforcing the ban and also rejects Paxton's request for a new trial on the case.
The Texas law, Texas Senate Bill 12, imposed up to a $10,000 fine on business owners for hosting drag show events. Performers at the events could have also been charged with a class A misdemeanor.
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Hittner offered advice to supporters of the law and "those who find such activities as described in this case offensive."
"The solution is relatively simple ... just don’t go," he wrote.
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This is the second time Hittner has struck down the Texas law in a ruling. He did the same thing in 2023, but the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals handed the case back down with further instructions on how to decide the case.
The Texas law sought to justify its ban on the claim that drag shows appeal to "the prurient interest," but Hittner brushed that claim aside.
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"There are ‘erotic’ elements in countless popular performances that could be subject to both civil and criminal penalties under S.B. 12," he wrote, going on to list "cheerleading, dancing, live theater, and other common public occurrences," as activities that could be banned under the law.
Hittner also referenced Dolly Parton, saying her performances could easily have met the definition due to her being "a voluptuous sex symbol because of her big hair, flamboyant clothes and breast exposure."
GEORGIA PRIDE GROUP RECRUITING KIDS AS YOUNG AS 13 INTO DRAG SHOWS SPARKS BACKLASH
The ruling comes weeks after a federal appeals court approved a Florida law restricting children from sexually explicit performances, including many drag shows.
The Florida law defines an "adult live performance" as a live show that "depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or specific sexual activities ... lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts" and that also predominantly appeals to a "prurient, shameful, or morbid interest," is "patently offensive" for the age of the child present and, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for that child's age.
The ultimate dog-friendly road trip on Minnesota's North Shore from Duluth to Grand Marais
A few weeks ago, I set out with the intention of writing an itinerary for the ultimate dog-friendly vacation on the Minnesota North Shore. Turns out, that's not as easy as I thought.
Not for a lack of writing material, either.
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No, the challenge I ran into was that I couldn't fit all the outdoor adventures the area had to offer into the measly three days I planned to visit.
Not a bad problem to have.
Every summer, my husband and I visit my mother-in-law at her snowbird summer home in Minocqua, Wisc. During that trip, we like to take a few days to drive up to Lake Superior and see what kind of hiking we can find. In 2024, we explored the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Last year, it was the Apostle Islands at the tippy top of Wisconsin.
YOU DON'T NEED A KAYAK TO APPRECIATE NORTHERN WISCONSIN'S APOSTLE ISLANDS
This year, we figured we'd try Minnesota.
So I booked us a little Airbnb right on the lakeshore in Tofte, we threw our packs, our boots and our German Shepherd in the truck, and away we went.
Admittedly, before this trip, I knew nothing about the stretch of land between Duluth and the Canadian border — aside from the fact that it's very cold in the wintertime, and I imagined every guy up there probably looked something like the Brawny Man. So I relied on my old friend Google (and my very helpful Nightcaps readers) to build our itinerary.
Did you know there are eight state parks in that 150 miles of shoreline? EIGHT. So I knew we, sadly, weren't going to hit them all on this trip. We'd have to pick a few and save the rest for next year.
At least a couple dozen people told me I had to go to Betty's Pies in Two Harbors — an iconic little café that's been around for 70 years. They have, I'm told, the best pies in all of Minnesota. Maybe all the Midwest. And like an idiot, I didn't listen.
Instead, our first stop was at Iona's Beach. Which was delightful, too.
Iona's Beach is a cute little crescent-shaped shore in Two Harbors that, instead of sand, is covered by salmon-colored pink rocks. In other words, this is not the sort of beach where you stroll barefoot. The stones are pink because they're made of rhyolite, a rock formed from ancient volcanic activity.
The area is named after a sweet little old lady named Iona Lind, whose family originally owned the land and ran the resort that used to stand where the parking lot is now.
Supposedly, the pebbles make a "singing" sound as Lake Superior's waves shift them back and forth against each other. But if I'm being honest, they just sounded like regular rocks to me.
Still, Iona's Beach is worth your time for a quick stroll and some photos along the shore.
Next up, we hit Split Rock Lighthouse.
A couple of things to note about Split Rock Lighthouse:
After hitting the Tofte General Store beer-bait-barbecue-and-tackle shop (not what it's called, but it should be) for some food to cook, we headed to our Airbnb.
Friends, when I tell you it was like stepping back in time, I mean it. This particular property was built in the early 1970s and almost certainly has not been updated since. Our particular condo, though, had a 90s vibe — complete with an impressive collection of VHS tapes. We're talking "Liar Liar," "A Few Good Men," "Forrest Gump," "Titanic"! All the hits.
But we didn't choose this rental for the decor. We chose it because it's located smack on the top of a cliff overlooking Lake Superior. The kind of view that makes you want to pop open a bottle of wine, sit down in an Adirondack chair and just stare into the horizon.
And you best believe that's what I did.
We planned Wednesday to be our big hiking day. But first, a quick stop to check out the giant rock formation they call Palisade Head. It's a 300-foot granite cliff created in the Ice Age, and it's a seriously cool challenge for rock climbers.
Or you can take the easier route like we did. Park your car in the designated viewing area and admire Palisade Head from afar. While we were there, we made conversation with a couple of dudes who proceeded to list all the cool hiking spots we needed to check out during our trip to the North Shore. It was at this moment I realized I should have scheduled out more than three days.
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From there we headed to Tettegouche State Park. I kept pronouncing it "Tet-uh-GOOCH-ee" (à la "way down yonder on the Chattahoochee.") However, a sign in the visitor center informed me the correct pronunciation is "TET-uh-goosh."
Bummer.
There are roughly 23 miles of hiking trails in Tettegouche, so we hopped on AllTrails and created our own adventure: Shovel Point to High Falls to Two Step Falls. I think we made the right choice.
Our route took us out to the lake shore, down along the river, to an incredible swimming hole at the base of High Falls, through some woody terrain and into a peaceful little lunch spot on the stream at Two Step. It worked out to about 6.2 moderate miles with multiple spots for Rocky to hop in the water and cool off.
High Falls was the star of the show.
On our way back to the condo, we decided to drive up Oberg Mountain. The loop gave us stunning vistas and a really cool overlook of Oberg Lake. I was pretty tired after Tettegouche, but this was well worth the extra 2.5 miles.
That night we headed up to Moguls Grill & Taproom for post-hike burgers and beers. It's inside the Caribou Highlands Lodge, which serves as a ski resort in the wintertime. Dogs aren't allowed inside the restaurant, but we snagged some food to go and sat out on the patio.
There, we met a nice elderly lady named Patrice who said she comes to the North Shore a few times a year "to escape the far-left hell scape of Minneapolis."
Those fellas up on Palisade Head told us we have to check out the Gunflint Trail.
So much great hiking on the Gunflint Trail! Beautiful country! Such cool wildlife! I see moose all the time!
I do not love the idea of running into a grumpy moose out on the trail. But their sales pitch got me.
Upon further research, though, I discovered the Gunflint Trail is actually a 57-mile byway that stretches all the way from the lakeshore into the Boundary Waters and damn near to Canada. Since we didn't budget enough time to cover all that ground, we chose the very first trail off the Gunflint: Pincushion Mountain.
On the way up US 61, though, we stopped at a local coffee shop called Fika that came highly recommended by our Airbnb host.
Holy cow, you guys, are you familiar with maple syrup lattes? Because they are, I learned, very much a thing in northern Minnesota.
Now listen, I drink my coffee like my grandpa does: strong, black and by the bucket. One step short of jet fuel. But what's the point of driving 16 hours from home if you don't try the local fare?
My goodness. That maple syrup latte was worth every bit of the (probably) 500 calories it cost me. What a concept. Consider it fuel for the 5.75-mile Pincushion Mountain Loop.
Half of this trail was on an old logging road, which the curmudgeonly reviewers on AllTrails didn't love. I swear people on AllTrails will complain about everything.
The grass was too tall in some places. I had to step over a log. A bug landed on my shoulder!
You're in the woods, Sharon.
That said, the logging road portion of this trail was a little boring, but that's fine. Because the payoff was an epic view of Lake Superior and Grand Marais from the top of a massive bald monolith.
Pro tip: Make sure you veer off this loop to check out Barrier Falls. We went down to the bridge at West Devil Track before turning around and heading back to the loop.
The climb out of there was a bit of a b----, but suck it up, buttercup. You've got a maple syrup latte to burn off.
After this hike, we walked around Grand Marais — a charming little harbor town. We stopped by the Gunflint Tavern for lunch. But heads up, it is not dog friendly except for the upstairs bar, which does not serve food. It does, however, serve the Fulton 300 IPA, which is 10/10 if you're into that sort of thing.
If you find yourself in Grand Marais, do yourself a favor and make the windy walk out to the lighthouse. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it was so cold out there that I cursed myself for not bringing a beanie. In July!
Grand Marais is just about 35 miles to the Canadian border. However, my husband and I did not go to Canada. Because we are PATRIOTS.
Just kidding. It's because both of our passports are expired. But we plan to remedy that soon.
On our way out of town, we noticed Voyageur Brewing Company. It looked like a fun spot, and I wish we would have known about it ahead of time. They have a blonde ale that's very popular around these parts.
One cool thing about the North Shore is that everything is right off US 61. You really can't get lost. So on our way back to Tofte, we stopped for a quick 1-miler at Cascade River State Park.
This is an easy little trek — even after you enjoyed a beer or three in Grand Marais. Ask me how I know.
The next morning, I set my alarm for 5 a.m. so that I could catch the sunrise. With a perfectly east-facing condo right on Lake Superior, it'd be criminal if I didn't drag my butt up for one sunrise.
And, friends, it was so, so worth it.
On our way back to Minocqua, we popped in Coho Cafe & Bakery. No exaggeration — the best pancakes I'd ever tasted in my life. Absolute perfection.
As we enjoyed our breakfast, we plotted next year's adventure. Grand Portage, Thunder Bay, Devil's Kettle, the Summit Express gondola up Lutsen Mountain, the Boundary Waters. All the things we just didn't have time for this year. And all dog friendly.
Truthfully, we fell in love with Grand Marais. That seems like an obvious base camp for the 2027 Great White North adventure.
And I promise — this time — we're hitting Betty's Pies.
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Seven-year-old boy forced to hike Mt. Fuji alone after dad, older brother abandon him
Hiking is often viewed as a strenuous activity that only the most seasoned athletes can partake in, but the truth of the matter is that it's actually for everyone.
Even families can enjoy hiking as long as they come prepared and stay together.
The latter part of that equation was apparently too much to ask for a father and his two sons last Thursday while hiking the famous Mt. Fuji in Japan.
According to an ABC news affiliate in North Carolina, at around 7:40 am local time, a mountain hut worker reportedly saw a 7-year-old boy sitting on a bench and looking exhausted.
The worker then contacted the police, who subsequently contacted the boy's father to try and reunite the two parties.
As it turns out, the younger boy was hiking the mountain with his father and older brother when he complained of feeling tired.
Instead of turning around and heading home or taking a break with his son, the father told him to "wait here" and then continued on ahead with his older son in tow.
The father left his son at a station around 8,000 feet above sea level as fog and rain reportedly started to roll in, making it dangerous for anyone to be alone, much less a 7-year-old boy.
When local police reunited the boy with his other family members, they admonished the father for endangering the child.
The inclement weather conditions and fatigue combined with the altitude sickness that could set in at that height are a bad combination for even the most experienced hikers.
The father reportedly told the police officers, "I made a rash decision, and I deeply regret it."
Luckily, the boy was returned to his father unharmed.
As a father, I get a little nervous leaving my son in front of the TV for 20 seconds to go grab the laundry out of the dryer, so I couldn't imagine telling my young child to chill on the side of a mountain while I finish my hike.
I'm not trying to pile on the dad, as he sounds contrite, but maybe table the hike so your son doesn't get frostbite while you cosplay as Alex Honnold.
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Let this be a lesson to all of you amateur hikers: always use the buddy system.
Especially if one of your buddies isn't even old enough to see a PG-13 movie without you.
'He's so thirsty': Newsom's 'enthusiastic' praise for Trump policy turns heads
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's unusual public praise for President Donald Trump is raising political eyebrows, with observers suggesting the break from his usual posture could foreshadow how the Democrat positions himself ahead of 2028.
Newsom heaped praise on Trump accounts, or 530a accounts, which the president created with the help of Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Cory Booker, D-N.J., to provide a market-indexed nest egg beginning at $1,000 for children born during his second term.
"Gavin Newsom, who fancies himself a 2028 nominee, has come out and said that he completely supports this and that he thinks it's the best thing President Trump has ever done," conservative writer Charles Hurt said in response.
"He is so thirsty," Hurt went on, adding on "Fox & Friends Weekend" that the remark reminded him of how some Democrats broke ranks to praise Trump’s "No Tax on Tips" plans that reduced federal levies on restaurant and service gratuities.
DEMOCRATIC MARYLAND GOV WES MOORE PRAISES TRUMP ACCOUNTS AS ‘SMART POLICY’
Former George W. Bush White House press secretary Dana Perino said on Fox News’ "The Five" that she believes Newsom's comments are indeed a "2028 play."
"I think this is going to pit some of the 20 candidates [against each other at debates if they are collectively asked] ‘Will you keep Trump accounts?’" she said. Perino suggested Newsom would have the upper hand and could point to his early support to counter allegations of political expediency.
California Assembly Minority Leader Alexandra Macedo told Fox News Digital that the rare collaboration on Trump accounts is encouraging but should be the rule, not the exception.
"It is good to see Gavin Newsom working with the Trump administration and recognizing a good idea when he sees one," said Macedo, R-Tulare.
"Hopefully this is not Halley’s Comet. Californians should not have to wait another 75 years for Newsom to do it again," she said.
During a news conference Friday, Newsom said Californians should consider opening a Trump account for their newborns, comparing the program to a Sacramento-based one championed by his wife.
"I’m enthusiastic about encouraging people to get a Trump account. I think it's incredibly important," Newsom said at an event alongside first lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom. "It's one of the best things he's done, and so we're here to encourage people to take advantage of this."
SEN DAVE MCCORMICK: TRUMP ACCOUNTS GIVE ALL AMERICANS A STAKE IN PROSPERITY
Newsom warned Californians not to "fall prey" to politics or cynicism, or "even the fear that if I download a Trump account somehow that means something."
"It doesn't, it just means something for your kid. It's not Trump's money. It's your child's money."
Siebel-Newsom spoke about a similar California program aimed at education expenses called "CalKIDS," which the Sacramento Bee reported has not had the same successful launch as Trump accounts.
Newsom recently called 2028 presidential conjecture "wildly premature," but acknowledged toying with the idea while taking steps that signal potential interest, including a nationally televised debate with potential Republican contender Gov. Ron DeSantis on Fox News Channel in 2023. He also told the Los Angeles Times more recently that "I’d be lying" if he said he hasn’t thought about running.
Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom for comment.
Some social media users also expressed surprise at Newsom’s tack.
JENNIFER SIEBEL NEWSOM DODGES QUESTION ON HUSBAND GAVIN'S PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS
"Uh oh... Newsom might have a decent campaign manager telling him to sound moderate, rational and team-building," one X user said.
"The outgoing Golden State governor and 2028 White House hopeful said that he is ‘enthusiastic’ about Trump accounts, the Republican leader’s initiative that created investment accounts for children under 18, with the federal government depositing $1,000 into accounts for babies born during the president’s second term," read a tweet from conservative podcaster Chad Law.
"Did something happen to Newsom?" added Defiant L’s, an account known for posting examples of liberals’ self-owns and perceived hypocrisies.
Fox News host Jesse Watters compared the effort to Bush’s much-maligned plan to privatize Social Security, calculating that returns for seniors would have doubled and the program would be solvent instead of facing potential insolvency in the 2030s.
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Newsom also reiterated in a post on X that California was the "first state in the country" to make 5.5 million students eligible for the CalKIDS program for college and career expenses.
Newsom is one of several potential Democratic candidates representing different segments of the party, including socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.