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Super Bowl champ criticizes Jaguars' decision-making in crucial spot vs Bills
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a chance to go up seven points in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills in their AFC wild-card round matchup on Sunday.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence took a snap on 4th-and-2 and ran to his left. He tried to reach for the marker and officials initially ruled that he got enough for a first down. But the Bills challenged the spot of the ball and a replay showed that Lawrence was down well short.
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Jacksonville ended the drive with zero points. The Bills scored on their following drive to take a 10-7 lead.
Super Bowl champion T.J. Ward took issue with the play-call on fourth down instead of trying to take the points.
"I’m so sick of these coaches going for it on 4th down," Ward wrote on X. "Take the points. The points are more than just points.
PACKERS' HEAD-COACHING SITUATION THRUST INTO SPOTLIGHT AFTER PLAYOFF LOSS
"They keep your momentum going! And when you fail the attempt on 4th down, you give the other team a tremendous momentum boost. Football is not rocket science."
Jacksonville rushed down the field from its own 1-yard line and was able to get a field-goal attempt from 54 yards out before halftime. Cam Little missed the kick just a bit to his left.
Lawrence was 9-of-15 for 88 yards and a touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. He had 29 rushing yards on three carries.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen entered the locker room with 129 passing yards and 12 rushing yards. He scored for the Bills on the ground.
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DHS deploying hundreds more federal agents to Minneapolis, Noem announces
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said Sunday the government is sending additional federal agents to Minnesota to protect immigration officers and continue enforcement operations amid rising tensions following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen.
Noem told "Sunday Morning Futures" host Maria Bartiromo that DHS will be sending hundreds more agents on Sunday and Monday to Minneapolis to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents to do their work "safely."
"If they conduct violent activities against law enforcement, if they impede our operations, that's a crime, and we will hold them accountable to those consequences," she said, referring to clashes between some protesters and federal agents outside an ICE facility and the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building over the weekend.
The protests, which have spread to other cities, including Los Angeles, Portland and New York, come after an ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who DHS alleges "weaponized her vehicle" and "attempted to run a law enforcement officer over."
EXPERT WARNS PAINTING SLAIN ANTI-ICE ACTIVIST AS ‘GEORGE FLOYD 2.0’ WILL FAIL
Video of the shooting has become a political flashpoint, with some saying it supports the government’s position that the agent acted in self-defense and others saying the footage calls into question DHS’ explanation and raises broader concerns about the use of force by ICE officers.
The shooting remains under federal investigation.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey wrote in an op-ed in The New York Times that the Trump administration pushed a "false narrative" about the shooting and demonized Good.
NEW VIDEO SHOWS MINUTES LEADING UP TO DEADLY MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING
"The chaos that ICE and the Trump administration have brought to Minneapolis made this tragedy sadly predictable," he wrote.
"I’ve watched multiple videos, from multiple perspectives — it seems clear that Ms. Good, a mother of three, was trying to leave the scene, not attack an agent," he added.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital on Thursday that since Operation Metro Surge began, DHS law enforcement has arrested more than 1,500 individuals, including alleged murderers, pedophiles, rapists, and gang members across Minnesota.
"Every single day our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from American communities," McLaughlin said. "We will not let rioters slow us down from making Minnesota safe again—something Governor Walz and Mayor Frey REFUSED to do."
This budget-friendly vegetable is becoming one of 2026’s biggest food trends
Cabbage is emerging as one of the defining food trends of 2026.
Once known for boiled dinners and bland side dishes, cabbage is being reimagined as a versatile, affordable kitchen staple.
Erin Clarke, a Wisconsin-based cookbook author and founder of WellPlated, told Fox News Digital the shift reflects changing priorities among home cooks, including cost, nutrition and flexibility in the kitchen.
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"Cabbage is experiencing a renaissance because home cooks have finally discovered what chefs have known for years: when cooked properly, it's absolutely delicious," she said.
Clarke said the vegetable’s resurgence also reflects a broader move toward practical, everyday ingredients that still deliver flavor.
"There's also a growing appreciation for vegetables that are budget-friendly, available year-round, and incredibly versatile," she said. "Cabbage checks all those boxes while also fitting into various dietary preferences."
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Clarke said texture and cooking method make all the difference for people who think they dislike cabbage.
She recommends slicing it thin and cooking it over high heat until it develops golden-brown, caramelized edges, which bring out its natural sweetness.
New Jersey–based dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade, author of "The 2-Day Diabetes Diet," said cabbage offers notable health benefits compared to many commonly eaten vegetables.
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"Cabbage is a cruciferous, low-calorie vegetable that, when compared to a popular alternative such as lettuce, provides higher levels of vitamin C, folate, and potassium," Palinski-Wade said.
Research has linked compounds found in cruciferous vegetables to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, along with potential benefits for gut health and protection against certain cancers and heart-related conditions, she added.
While cabbage offers a range of benefits, Palinski-Wade said it may not be ideal for everyone, particularly those with digestive sensitivities.
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She noted that cabbage can cause gas or bloating for some people due to its high fiber content, especially when eaten raw or in large amounts.
Palinski-Wade said cooking cabbage can make it easier to digest while still preserving many of its nutritional benefits.
She suggests lightly sautéing or steaming cabbage, rather than boiling it, to help retain the nutrients while improving texture and tolerance.
Journalist’s dangerous obsession with a forgotten serial killer unraveled her reality
Laura Greenberg was a journalist determined to understand why people kill. In her search for answers, she befriended a long-forgotten serial killer behind bars. As he described his crimes, her sense of reality began to unravel.
Greenberg’s unsettling bond with Doug Gretzler — who, along with accomplice Willie Steelman, killed 17 people, including two children — continues to haunt her decades later. Her search for understanding is the focus of Oxygen’s new true-crime documentary, "Charmed by the Devil."
The film explores how Greenberg visited Gretzler 350 times, exchanged hundreds of letters and recorded more than 500 hours of audio in a relentless effort to, as she put it, "understand the monster."
UNEARTHED ‘SON OF SAM’ PRISON TAPES REVEAL CHILLING DETAILS ABOUT SERIAL KILLER DAVID BERKOWITZ
Growing up, filmmaker and Nickelodeon voice actor Ben Giroux only knew that his aunt was interviewing "a guy who killed somebody." It wasn’t until 2020, during the pandemic, that he gained full access to Greenberg’s startling recordings.
"She always says there are 17 bodies between them," Giroux told Fox News Digital. "He was a monster. He was the devil. And yet she was able to look beyond that and establish a human connection. She says she wouldn’t put a label on what that connection was. I’m sure her answer changes daily on how she would define it."
Giroux noted that the depth of that connection is what makes the story so unnerving.
"When you walk into her house, it’s basically a museum dedicated to this case," he shared. "There are police reports, crime scene photos, written letters and paintings. It’s a massive trove of communication between her and Gretzler. It’s an obsession. I think they came to both rely on and become codependent on each other in that obsession."
Gretzler and Steelman landed on death row after a three-week killing spree in Arizona and California. Steelman died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1986 — the same year that Greenberg, a scrappy reporter for City magazine in Tucson, got a tip about Gretzler that sparked her curiosity.
WATCH: FOX NATION DOCUMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS SERIAL KILLER’S MYSTERIOUS AMAZON REVIEWS
Greenberg first contacted Gretzler by letter, hoping to gain his trust. At the time, he refused to discuss his crimes with anyone. Still, her words intrigued him enough to respond. What followed was an unbroken exchange of letters and recorded conversations. Soon after, she visited him in prison.
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
"Gretzler was somebody nobody had ever heard of because the only person he was talking to was my aunt," said Giroux.
The boundaries blurred quickly. They bonded over their shared New York City upbringings. Greenberg, who was living with a boyfriend at the time, would wait until he fell asleep, then quietly lock herself in the bathroom, draw a bath and, as she later described, listen as Gretzler spoke in detail about the murders. At one point, he professed his love for her and grew increasingly jealous after she married.
"No one knew these tapes existed until now," executive producer Lauren Flowers told Fox News Digital.
"I was surprised by how ordinary some of these conversations were, knowing the intention was to hear about gruesome crimes and uncover the why. Then you put on another tape and hear them talk about the weather or music, what Laura was buying at the grocery store — even realizing they once went to the same music festival and hung out at some of the same places."
Flowers noted that the documentary raises difficult ethical questions about how close a journalist should get to a story. The unusual access Greenberg gained — and the intimacy that followed — will likely raise eyebrows among viewers, she pointed out. Giroux and Flowers said the film explores Greenberg’s pursuit as professional boundaries are tested.
Gretzler gave Greenberg detailed accounts of his life and crimes. At 22, he fled his responsibilities as a husband and father in New York and headed to Colorado, where he fueled his days with drugs and alcohol.
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There, he met Steelman, a volatile 28-year-old who had recently been institutionalized. They formed a "pact," with Gretzler pledging absolute loyalty to Steelman, whom he considered a brother.
Together, they embarked on a cross-country trip with a simple plan — to steal money and drugs. It quickly spiraled into something darker. Gretzler said flatly that it didn’t take much for him to kill.
While some families said the interviews helped answer lingering questions, Greenberg acknowledged that no explanation could ever justify the brutality of the murders.
As Greenberg gathered information, she reached out to loved ones of the victims and to Gretzler’s sister. They opened up to her for the first time.
"On the surface, it’s confusing," Giroux said. "Wouldn’t they reject someone who became so close to a person who took so many lives and devastated so many families? But I think they’ve come to appreciate her ability to find the truth and dig for every detail. It speaks to her obsessive personality."
"She got everyone talking — everyone connected with her," Giroux said. "She has a real gift for getting people to open up. She certainly did that with Gretzler, who rarely spoke to anyone else. She wanted to leave no stone unturned."
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"Does she accept that boundaries were crossed? I think so," Giroux said. "She’s incredibly transparent and candid about it. She doesn’t shy away from discussing things that would make others flinch. She’s remarkably open about how deep that connection became."
Greenberg said she felt "disgusted" as Gretzler revealed the darkest details of his murders. He spoke not only about the killings, but also about a chaotic childhood, including the death of his teenage brother. She repeatedly challenged him, making it clear that no explanation could excuse the scale of his crimes.
Greenberg pushed Gretzler as she studied how violence took root in his life and how he justified his heinous acts. For some of the victims’ families, the interviews clarified how and why the crimes unfolded, filling in gaps that police files and court records never fully answered after years of unresolved questions. It gave them a painful understanding of what happened to their loved ones during their final moments.
"We wouldn’t have reached anyone without Laura," Flowers said. "Everyone we found said, ‘Do you know Laura Greenberg? You have to talk to her.’"
"That was especially true with Dee Gretzler, Doug Gretzler’s sister," Flowers shared. "She was just a kid when she learned about it at school. She lives privately, and this is the first time she’s ever acknowledged that her brother was a serial killer. But she knew that if Laura participated, she could tell her story."
Gretzler invited Greenberg to witness his execution on June 3, 1998. She sat near his sister. In the years leading up to his death, they continued to talk about "everything in life, both profound and mundane," said Giroux.
"The finality hit her hard," Giroux admitted. "What’s so strange is how normal their interactions sounded at the end — almost casual. You’d think the execution would be the end of the story, but I think it was the beginning. Her obsession only grew after that, and her commitment to telling every detail of this story intensified after he was executed."
What remains unchanged are the lives lost.
"I think Laura got Gretzler to accept that the responsibility was his," Flowers said. "There are a lot of people with s----- childhoods who don’t kill 17 people — something she reminded him of repeatedly. From the start, we felt a responsibility to the victims and hoped to provide some closure to their families."
"The thing to take away from my aunt’s connection to Gretzler is the danger of obsession — and how we all need to check ourselves," Giroux said. "You don’t want to go too far down the rabbit hole. This has consumed 40 years of her life."
Mississippi synagogue burned in arson attack, suspect in custody
A suspect was in custody Saturday after an apparent arson attack set a Mississippi synagogue ablaze, destroying Torahs and prompting an investigation involving the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The blaze broke out shortly after 3 a.m. at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, the state's largest synagogue. No congregants were injured, officials said.
Photos from the scene showed severe damage to an administrative office and the synagogue’s library, where several Torahs were destroyed or damaged.
Jackson Mayor John Horhn confirmed that a person was taken into custody following an investigation that also included the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
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"Acts of antisemitism, racism, and religious hatred are attacks on Jackson as a whole and will be treated as acts of terror against residents’ safety and freedom to worship," Horhn said in a statement.
Officials did not immediately release the name of the suspect or what charges the person was facing.
Beth Israel Congregation was previously targeted in a Ku Klux Klan bombing in 1967, an attack linked to the synagogue's involvement in civil rights efforts, according to the Institute for Southern Jewish Life, which also operates from the building.
"As Jackson’s only synagogue, Beth Israel is a beloved institution, and it is the fellowship of our neighbors and extended community that will see us through," the institute said in a statement.
The American Jewish Committee also released a statement saying it was "outraged" by the alleged attack.
"This hateful act is only the most recent symptom of the dangerous rising antisemitism facing Jewish communities across the country and around the world," it said.
The Anti-Defamation League called the incident a "deliberate, targeted attack on the Jewish community."
"Beth Israel survived a KKK bombing in 1967," ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. "That it has been attacked again, amid a surge of antisemitic incidents across the US, is a stark reminder: antisemitic violence is escalating, and it demands total condemnation and swift action from everyone — including community leaders, law enforcement, and government officials."
The synagogue's president, Zach Shemper, said the congregation was still assessing the damage and had received outreach from other houses of worship, according to Mississippi Today. Shemper added that services will be suspended indefinitely.
One Torah that survived the Holocaust was not damaged in the fire, the outlet reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Federal judge blocks Trump administration from enforcing mail-in voting rules in executive order
A federal judge in Washington state on Friday blocked the Trump administration from enforcing key parts of an executive order that sought to change how states administer federal elections, ruling the president lacked authority to apply those provisions to Washington and Oregon.
U.S. District Judge John Chun held that several provisions of Executive Order 14248 violated the separation of powers and exceeded the president’s authority.
"As stated by the Supreme Court, although the Constitution vests the executive power in the President, ‘[i]n the framework of our Constitution, the President’s power to see that the laws are faithfully executed refutes the idea that he is to be a lawmaker,’" Chun wrote in his 75-page ruling.
FEDERAL APPEALS COURT RULES AGAINST TRUMP'S BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP EXECUTIVE ORDER
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital in a statement: "President Trump cares deeply about the integrity of our elections and his executive order takes lawful actions to ensure election security. This is not the final say on the matter and the Administration expects ultimate victory on the issue."
Washington and Oregon filed a lawsuit in April contending the executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March violated the Constitution by attempting to set rules for how states conduct elections, including ballot counting, voter registration and voting equipment.
DOJ TARGETS NONCITIZENS ON VOTER ROLLS AS PART OF TRUMP ELECTION INTEGRITY PUSH
"Today’s ruling is a huge victory for voters in Washington and Oregon, and for the rule of law," Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in response to the Jan. 9 ruling, according to The Associated Press. "The court enforced the long-standing constitutional rule that only States and Congress can regulate elections, not the Election Denier-in-Chief."
Executive Order 14248 directed federal agencies to require documentary proof of citizenship on federal voter registration forms and sought to require that absentee and mail-in ballots be received by Election Day in order to be counted.
The order also instructed the attorney general to take enforcement action against states that include such ballots in their final vote tallies if they arrive after that deadline.
"We oppose requirements that suppress eligible voters and will continue to advocate for inclusive and equitable access to registration while protecting the integrity of the process. The U.S. Constitution guarantees that all qualified voters have a constitutionally protected right to vote and to have their votes counted," said Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs in a statement issued when the lawsuit was filed last year.
"We will work with the Washington Attorney General's Office to defend our constitutional authority and ensure Washington's elections remain secure, fair, and accessible," Hobbs added.
Chun noted in his ruling that Washington and Oregon do not certify election results on Election Day, a practice shared by every U.S. state and territory, which allows them to count mail-in ballots received after Election Day as long as the ballots were postmarked on or before that day and arrived before certification under state law.
Obama Presidential Center slammed for promoting ‘far-left' agenda on public land
The Illinois Republican Party has blasted as "divisive" the hiring language the Obama Foundation is using for the Obama Presidential Center, arguing it shows the privately run project is using public land to advance a political agenda.
The Obama Foundation, which is developing the hotly debated center on Chicago’s South Side, recently advertised roughly 150 jobs at the facility, stating that successful applicants are expected to align with the foundation’s "anti-racism" goals.
"It’s an Illinois Democrat tradition to insert divisive, far-left policies into the lives of everyday Americans and to balk at the rule of law," Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi told Fox News Digital.
OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER DEPOSITS JUST $1M INTO $470M RESERVE FUND AIMED TO PROTECT TAXPAYERS
"The Obama Center is no different. It is a recipient of taxpayer funds built on public lands and flouts ‘anti-racism’ hiring goals," Salvi said. "But such employment practices sound discriminatory and unmoored from any assessment of merit."
The Obama Foundation secured control of a 19.3-acre section of Jackson Park — often described as Chicago’s equivalent of Central Park — under a 99-year agreement for just $10, after city officials approved the project under the premise that the center would function as a civic institution serving the public interest.
Opponents argued the land transfer violated the public trust doctrine, a legal principle requiring public land to serve a public purpose, and filed multiple lawsuits seeking to halt construction. The courts ultimately allowed the project to proceed without adjudicating the merits of those claims.
While commonly referred to as a presidential "library," the Obama Presidential Center is not operated by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and does not function as a traditional presidential library.
Instead, it is run entirely by the Obama Foundation, the former president’s private nonprofit organization, which also oversees leadership and civic programs reflecting the values and priorities of former President Barack Obama.
The foundation will operate from the center and oversee a 225-foot-tall museum, conference facilities, a gymnasium and a regulation-sized NBA court. There will also be a digital library, although it will not house original presidential records in the same manner as NARA-run libraries.
Construction costs for the site have ballooned from an original estimate of $330 million to at least $850 million, and the project has also relied on publicly funded infrastructure work surrounding the site.
The foundation committed to creating a $470 million endowment — a reserve fund commonly used by nonprofits and universities to help cover long-term operating costs by generating investment income — but its latest tax filings show that only $1 million has ever been deposited.
Salvi said the hiring language reinforces concerns that the Obama Presidential Center is operating as an ideological institution despite being built on public land under a civic justification.
For instance, job postings state that the foundation is "deeply committed to creating an actively anti-racist organization, leveraging our global reach to combat systemic racism and inequity wherever it exists."
"Anti-racism" is the belief that people must not simply eschew racism, but must actively fight any perception of it. The term came into widespread use amid the rise of Black Lives Matter, and was touted by author Ibram X. Kendi in his 2019 book, "How to Be an Antiracist." Critics say anti-racism stresses outcomes over opportunity and assigns collective guilt to people who may be unfairly viewed as "oppressors" based on their own skin color.
The Obama Center's postings link to the foundation’s anti-racism and equity statement, which describes a commitment to embedding anti-racism into hiring, leadership programs and organizational practices. It also shows two people of color marching and holding hands with their fists raised in the air.
"In the United States, we are still grappling — in ways large and small — with the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow and the scourge of racism," the statement reads.
"That’s why our goal is to make sure every member of the Foundation team is committed to anti-racism, sets expectations for how we will engage, and makes space for the work," the statement continues. "We’re focused on making sure our actions match our intent — removing barriers for diverse vendors, building anti-racism and equity into our hiring practices, and recruiting diverse cohorts for our leadership programs."
Critics like Salvi have also pointed to the project’s long-standing emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as evidence that ideological priorities were embedded into the center from its inception.
Those initiatives have already given rise to real-world legal and financial disputes.
As Fox News Digital previously reported, a Black-owned construction subcontractor filed a $40 million discrimination lawsuit tied to the project, alleging racially discriminatory treatment by an engineering firm involved in construction. The engineering firm has argued that diversity-driven contracting decisions resulted in less qualified subcontractors being selected, contributing to inferior workmanship, delays and cost overruns.
WATCH: The Brian Kilmeade Show: Obama Presidential Center rocked by $40M racial bias lawsuit
"The Illinois Republican Party stands with President Trump and the Justice Department to end the tyranny of DEI and woke, performative politics plaguing the federal government, our military and the private sector," Salvi said.
"As the Trump Administration investigates such employment practices at-large, we will continue to demand accountability and fairness from civic and educational sites like the Obama Center claims to be."
The Obama Foundation responded to criticism of its hiring language by pointing to its stated values.
"Our values remain the same as the day we began; we will continue to actively work to combat racism as we strive to build a more perfect union," Emily Bittner, the foundation’s vice president of communications, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Supporters of the project have said the Obama Presidential Center will serve as a cultural and educational anchor on Chicago’s South Side and reflect the values and legacy of former President Obama.
New video shows minutes leading up to deadly Minneapolis ICE shooting
New video footage shared Saturday shows the minutes that lead up to the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal agent, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS shared video on its X account that appeared to be three-and-a-half minutes of footage taken by a citizen from inside a nearby home showing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and multiple vehicles out in the residential street.
A car can be heard honking its horn repeatedly while someone can be heard continually blowing a whistle. At one point, the video pans over to what appears to be Renee Nicole Good’s Honda Pilot that is parked in the middle of the street.
"The media continues to fail the American people in their reporting on the events in Minneapolis," DHS claimed in the post. "New evidence shows that the anti-ICE agitator was STALKING and IMPEDING a law enforcement operation over the course of the morning."
LEFT-WING GROUP BACKS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ANTI-ICE AGITATORS NATIONWIDE
DHS further criticized the media, writing: "The evidence speaks for itself. The legacy media has lost the trust of the American people."
WATCH: CELLPHONE VIDEO SHOWS DEADLY MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING:
TOM EMMER PUSHES BACK ON SUGGESTION THAT MINNESOTA ANTI-ICE PROTESTERS HAVE BEEN PEACEFUL
The video was released three days after an ICE agent fatally shot Good as she allegedly drove a vehicle toward officers.
The circumstances that led to her death have ignited a firestorm of criticism of the Trump administration and ICE.
Federal officials have defended the ICE agent’s actions as self-defense and described the Minneapolis shooting as an act of "domestic terrorism," while Democratic leaders have rejected that characterization and sharply condemned the officer’s conduct.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
10 ways to protect seniors from email scams
Email scams have become one of the fastest ways scammers steal money from older adults. A single click can expose bank accounts, personal data and retirement savings built over a lifetime. That growing risk is what prompted Bob to write to us with a question many families are now facing:
"My friend's father is 95 and absolutely lives through his phone/laptop. He refuses to give up either and often clicks on email links. A few years ago, he got caught up in a gift card scam that almost cost him his life savings. It's not taking away the car keys anymore; it is taking away the email and access to online banking! What do you recommend that his daughter do to protect his online presence?"
Bob is right. For many seniors, email and online banking have replaced car keys as the most dangerous access point. The goal is not to take devices away. It is to quietly put guardrails in place so one bad click does not turn into a financial disaster.
Here is a practical plan families can actually use.
HACKERS ABUSE GOOGLE CLOUD TO SEND TRUSTED PHISHING EMAILS
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Start by limiting how much damage a single click can cause. If possible, remove online banking access from the devices used for email. When that is not realistic, open a second checking account with only everyday spending money and link it to a debit card for routine purchases.
Keep primary savings accounts offline or set to view-only access. If available, require in-branch or phone verification for transfers above a set amount. This way, even if credentials are compromised, the largest accounts remain protected.
Email is the number one entry point for scams targeting seniors. Strong filtering matters. Use an email provider with advanced spam protection, such as Gmail or Outlook.com. In the email settings:
If available, enable warnings for emails that use familiar display names but come from unfamiliar addresses. This helps stop impersonation scams that pretend to be family, banks or service providers. These steps slow scammers down and reduce impulse clicks before damage happens.
Email is dominant, but voicemail and callback scams are also growing fast among seniors, often as a follow-up to phishing emails. If possible, silence unknown callers and block voicemail-to-email transcription for unfamiliar numbers, since many scams now start with urgent callback messages rather than links.
Next, add safety nets that notify family members when something looks wrong. Enable banking alerts for large withdrawals, new payees, password changes, unusual logins and new device sign-ins. Add his daughter as a trusted contact wherever the bank allows it. If available, enable delays or approval requirements for first-time transfers to new payees. This creates a cooling period that can stop scam-driven transactions. For email accounts, set up a recovery contact so that his daughter is notified immediately if someone attempts to access or reset the account.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on email and banking accounts, but pair it with device and transfer alerts, since many scams now succeed even when 2FA is enabled.
Devices should be set up to fail safely. Keep operating systems and browsers updated. Make sure the laptop uses a standard user account instead of an administrator account. This prevents software from installing without approval. Install real-time protection that blocks scam sites before they load. Strong antivirus software helps block malicious links and fake login pages automatically.
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
Password reuse makes scams far more dangerous. Fake pop-ups and lookalike websites are designed to trick people into typing usernames and passwords by hand. A password manager removes that risk by storing credentials securely and autofilling them only on legitimate websites. If a page is fake or malicious, the password manager will not fill anything. That simple refusal often prevents account takeovers before they start. Password managers also reduce frustration by eliminating the need to remember or reuse passwords across email, banking and shopping accounts. When set up correctly, this protection works quietly in the background on both phones and laptops.
Many phishing scams no longer rely on obvious fake emails. They rely on realistic login pages. Autofill protection is one of the most effective ways to stop these attacks without changing daily habits.
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
MALICIOUS CHROME EXTENSIONS CAUGHT STEALING SENSITIVE DATA
If scammers already have personal information, prevention alone is not enough. Freeze credit with Experian, TransUnion and Equifax to prevent new accounts from being opened. Also, place freezes with ChexSystems and the National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange to stop criminals from opening bank accounts, phone lines, or utility services in his name.
If possible, request an IRS Identity Protection PIN to prevent tax-related identity theft.
Add ongoing identity monitoring so suspicious activity triggers alerts quickly. Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number (SSN), phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.
Technology helps, but expectations matter. Have one calm conversation and agree on simple rules:
Post these rules near the computer or phone. Visual reminders reduce panic decisions. Also, before setting rules, choose one primary trusted contact. Multiple helpers can slow response during urgent scams and create confusion when fast decisions matter. That person should be the default call for anything urgent involving money, account access, or unexpected requests.
Scammers often find seniors by pulling personal details from public data broker websites. These sites publish phone numbers, addresses, relatives and age information that make targeting easier. A data removal service works behind the scenes to opt seniors out of these databases and reduce how much personal information is publicly available online. Fewer exposed details means fewer scam calls, fewer phishing emails and fewer impersonation attempts. This step does not stop every scam, but it significantly lowers how often seniors are targeted in the first place.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
Many tools designed for child safety also work well for seniors when used thoughtfully. When configured correctly, they add protection without interfering with daily routines.
Below are device-specific steps families can use today.
Apple's built-in Screen Time tools provide strong protection without installing extra apps.
What to set up:
If the caregiver wants remote visibility or control, add the device to Family Sharing and manage Screen Time from the caregiver's Apple ID.
BROWSER EXTENSION MALWARE INFECTED 8.8M USERS IN DARKSPECTRE ATTACK
Why this helps: It blocks many scam sites, prevents accidental app installs and stops fake update prompts from causing damage.
Android offers built-in protections and optional supervised controls.
What to set up:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
For families who want shared oversight, Google Family Link can be used to supervise app installs and receive alerts, as long as both parties agree.
Why this helps: Many Android scams rely on fake app installs. These settings block that path.
Windows protection works best when user accounts are set correctly.
What to set up:
Why this helps: Malware often installs silently on admin accounts. This setup prevents that.
macOS includes built-in controls similar to those on iPhone and iPad.
What to set up:
Why this helps: It prevents fake software updates and malicious downloads from installing.
This is not about spying. It is about adding digital seatbelts while preserving independence. When used respectfully, these tools reduce risk without changing daily habits.
For families looking to go a step further, switching to a secure email service can significantly reduce scam exposure. Privacy-focused email providers are designed to limit tracking, block hidden tracking pixels, and reduce how much data advertisers or scammers can collect from inbox activity. Many secure email services also offer disposable or alias email addresses for one-time signups. If an alias starts receiving spam or scam messages, it can be disabled without affecting the main email account. This makes it easier to keep a primary email address private and limit long-term exposure. Secure email platforms typically include features like encrypted messages, no advertising and stronger privacy controls. While switching email providers is optional, it can be a useful upgrade for seniors who receive large volumes of spam or have been repeatedly targeted by scams.
Why it matters: Less tracking means fewer scam attempts. Aliases reduce how often personal email addresses are exposed, without changing daily habits.
For recommendations on private and secure email providers that offer alias addresses, visit Cyberguy.com.
Protecting seniors online is not about control. It is about prevention. Email scams are designed to exploit trust and urgency, especially in people who did not grow up with digital threats. Smart guardrails protect independence while preventing irreversible mistakes. If email and banking are today's car keys, families need modern safety features to go with them.
If your parent clicked a scam email right now, would you know before the money was gone? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Kristi Noem fires back at Dems amid impeachment threat over fatal Minneapolis ICE shooting
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem fired back at Democrats on Sunday amid an Illinois lawmaker's push to impeach her following a deadly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shooting in Minneapolis last week.
"These law enforcement officers are trained to be in situations that are dangerous, and they rely on that training each and every day to make the right decisions," Noem said during "Sunday Morning Futures."
"That's what I'm so grateful for is that we have professionals that stepped up and took an oath to serve this country. The American people support them in that."
Noem also blasted Democrats for allegedly using the death of Renee Nicole Good — who was fatally shot by an ICE officer after accelerating a vehicle toward him last week — to divide the country and push an agenda she says would undermine freedoms and liberties.
CHAD WOLF, COOPER SMITH: MAYOR FREY, ICE IS NOT 'SOWING CHAOS.' YOU ARE. PLEASE RESIGN
"It's really, really horrific that we have elected officials that are using this as an opportunity to divide, using this to promote an agenda that fundamentally would take away our freedoms and our liberties in this country," she said.
"And Gov. Walz's corruption has been exposed," she continued, referencing the Minnesota fraud scandal that has also dominated recent headlines.
"He's being held accountable to it, so he's trying to divert the attention away from him and his failed leadership."
HOUSE REPUBLICANS DEFEND ICE AGENT IN FATAL SHOOTING, SAY USE OF FORCE WAS JUSTIFIED
Noem added that the Trump administration will continue its work arresting and holding criminals to account.
Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., announced plans to impeach Noem last week, calling the Trump official an "incompetent leader" and a "disgrace to our democracy."
"I am impeaching her for obstruction of justice, violation of public trust, and self-dealing," Kelly said in a Jan. 7 press release.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE
"Secretary Noem wreaked havoc in the Chicagoland area, and now, her rogue ICE agents have unleashed that same destruction in Minneapolis, fatally shooting Renee Nicole Good," Kelly said.
"From Chicago to Charlotte to Los Angeles to Minneapolis, Secretary Noem is violating the Constitution while ruining — and ending — lives, and separating families. It’s one thing to be incompetent and dangerous, but it’s impeachable to break the rule of law. I told my constituents and Chicagoans that I would fight against Secretary Noem’s agenda. This is me fighting back."