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Arkansas school director sentenced for being 'ringleader' of child fight club
An Arkansas school director was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 120 days of house arrest with electronic monitoring and nine years of probation after prosecutors accused her of being the "ringleader" of a makeshift child fight club.
Mary Tracy Morrison, 51, the owner and director of The Delta Institute for the Developing Brain and the Engage program in Jonesboro, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of permitting child abuse and four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, according to KAIT.
The judge also prohibited her from working with children in any professional capacity and ruled she must surrender her occupational therapy license and any other related licenses, complete a mental health assessment and follow all recommended treatments.
OHIO DAYCARE WORKER CONVICTED OF HORRIFIC PHYSICAL ABUSE OF TODDLERS SENTENCED TO YEARS IN PRISON
Morrison was arrested in April 2025 after a mother told the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office that her teenage son reported being mentally and physically abused while he was at the school.
Video footage that deputies obtained through a search warrant revealed Morrison had "instructed the child to sit on the floor while being surrounded on the outside of a circle by 18 other juvenile students and Dr. Morrison," according to a probable cause affidavit, KAIT reported.
The affidavit said that Morrison told the other students to put their hands on the child in the center and hit the child with an "unknown object."
As Morrison verbally berated the child, another student was seen kicking and choking the child.
After the alleged incident, Morrison was observed "giving the juvenile a high five, displaying her pleasure with the student’s actions," according to the affidavit.
The incident lasted 30 minutes and featured a teacher directing a student to strike a classmate "in the private area," deputies said.
Following the incident, Morrison "instructed the victim to apologize to all other students" and told the students to never discuss what had happened again, the document stated.
Three other school employees — Michael Bean, 38, Kristin Bell, 36, and Kathrine Lipscomb, 45, were also arrested in connection with the abuse.
Fox News Digital could not immediately reach The Delta Institute for the Developing Brain or the Engage program for comment because no public or operational email address was listed for either organization.
Explosion at a fireworks plant in China kills at least 21 people, injures dozens more: report
An explosion at a fireworks factory in a central Chinese province killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others, according to state media.
The blast happened at a fireworks plant in Liuyang, a city administered by Changsha in Hunan province, on Monday afternoon, China’s official news agency Xinhua reported.
The plant was operated by Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in Liuyang, which is under the jurisdiction of Hunan’s capital, Changsha. Liuyang is home to a hub for fireworks manufacturing, state media China Daily reported.
MASSIVE FIRE DESTROYS UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA LABORATORY BUILDING: 'TOTAL LOSS'
Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed white smoke still billowing on Tuesday in parts of the area, with facilities collapsed or damaged and debris scattered around.
Nearly 500 firefighters, rescuers and medical personnel responded to the scene, according to the South China Morning Post. People in danger zones were evacuated because of what authorities described as high risks posed by two black powder warehouses at the site.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for "all-out efforts" to save injured victims and to search for people who remain unaccounted for, Xinhua reported. He called on authorities to probe the cause and pursue serious accountability. Xi also ordered effective risk screening and hazard control in key industries and the strengthening of public safety management.
Xi often issues "important instructions" to local officials after deadly accidents and disasters, according to reports.
CREWS RESPOND TO MASSIVE EXPLOSIONS AT FIREWORKS FACILITY IN CALIFORNIA
Authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the blast, and unspecified "control measures" were taken against those in charge of the company.
In an effort to avoid additional accidents during the search for survivors, rescuers adopted measures such as spraying and humidification to eliminate potential hazards. Robots were also used to assist with the search and rescue operation.
Civil rights groups file lawsuit seeking to block Texas law allowing cops to arrest illegal migrants
A coalition of civil rights groups filed a new lawsuit on Monday seeking to halt parts of a Texas law that would allow police officers in the Lone Star State to arrest migrants suspected of crossing into the U.S. across the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.
The law is set to take effect next week after a federal appeals court vacated a lower court ruling last week that had prevented its enforcement since 2024. In that ruling, he appeals court vacated an injunction that had blocked the law, finding that the plaintiffs did not have standing to sue.
Senate Bill 4 established a state-level crime for entering the country illegally and authorized state magistrates to order certain individuals to leave the country if they are convicted.
Courts have long maintained that immigration enforcement has historically been treated as the responsibility of the federal government, but Texas Republicans attempted to challenge that precedent when they approved S.B. 4.
TEXAS BILL REQUIRING SHERIFFS TO COLLABORATE WITH ICE GIVEN INITIAL APPROVAL BY STATE HOUSE
The Texas Civil Rights Project, American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Texas argued that the law is unconstitutional, noting that immigration law is exclusively the responsibility of the federal government and that federal law should preempt the state law.
The groups are attempting to block four provisions of S.B. 4 — the creation of a crime for re-entering the country illegally, even if a person has since obtained legal status such as a green card; granting state magistrates authority to issue deportation orders; the creation of a crime for failing to comply with a magistrate’s deportation orders; and the requirement that magistrates continue a prosecution even if a person has a pending immigration case under federal law, such as an asylum claim.
"Our fight against S.B. 4 isn’t over until justice wins," Kate Gibson Kumar, an attorney at the Texas Civil Rights Project, said in a statement. "S.B. 4 is not only unconstitutional, but a vile law that uses our Texas resources to harm communities across our state. The Texas Civil Rights Project will keep fighting to protect Texas communities from the wrath of S.B. 4."
Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, argued that S.B. 4 is "cruel and illegal," adding that the groups "will keep fighting it until it is permanently struck down."
"Every court to have reached the merits of laws like S.B. 4 has found them to be unconstitutional," he said.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
The law is scheduled to go into effect on May 15 unless another court takes action.
"S.B. 4 would transform our police and judges into immigration agents — threatening neighbors who have families here, who have lived here for years, even those who have legal status," said Adriana Piñon, legal director at the ACLU of Texas. "Immigration enforcement is exclusively the federal government's arena, and no state has ever claimed the power Texas threatens to wield here. We are taking this back to court to defend our Texas communities."
TRUMP DOJ DROPS BIDEN-ERA CHALLENGE TO TEXAS BORDER SECURITY LAW
Monday's lawsuit is the latest legal challenge to the Texas law, which was passed by state lawmakers amid an uptick in migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border during the Biden administration.
Another lawsuit had been led by some of the same advocacy groups that filed Monday's challenge. The Biden administration also initially sought to halt the law in 2024 before the Trump administration terminated the Department of Justice’s involvement in the lawsuit last year as part of the president's mass deportation agenda.
Rudy Giuliani's primary care provider gives update on his condition
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is breathing on his own after being taken off a ventilator, his doctor said, adding he has "9 lives" following a dramatic turnaround from a dire condition.
Dr. Maria Ryan told Fox News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl that Giuliani began feeling ill after returning from a trip to Paris, with his breathing deteriorating to the point that he required hospitalization and was placed on a ventilator.
Ryan said his condition turned critical, prompting a priest to be called to his bedside to perform last rites.
By Tuesday, however, his condition had improved enough for doctors to remove him from the ventilator. He is now breathing independently and able to speak, though he remains in critical but stable condition.
RUDY GIULIANI HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT IN 2020 ELECTION DEFAMATION CASE
"He’s a fighter — the way he was yesterday in such a critical condition, he did have a priest come anoint him," Ryan told Fox News. "And all the prayers from around — it’s like a miracle. This guy’s got 9 lives, today he’s doing much better."
Ryan said she expects Giuliani to make a full recovery.
A spokesperson for Giuliani also pointed to his health history following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when he was exposed to debris while responding at Ground Zero, later leading to a diagnosis of restrictive airway disease.
BERNARD KERIK, FORMER NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER AND 9/11 FIGURE, DIES AT 69
In a video shared on X, Ted Goodman said Giuliani is now "breathing on his own" and remains in "critical but stable condition."
"Mayor Rudy Giuliani is the ultimate fighter," Goodman said.
The update comes after Giuliani was hospitalized with severe breathing issues, prompting concern about his condition. His team had previously said he was in critical but stable condition.
RUDY GIULIANI HOSPITALIZED IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION: "HE’S FIGHTING"
Giuliani, 81, has faced a number of health challenges in recent years but has remained active in public life.
He previously made headlines after being seriously injured in a car crash in New Hampshire in August 2025. Authorities said the vehicle he was riding in was struck from behind on Interstate 93 in Manchester, leaving him with a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and other injuries.
Despite those setbacks, Giuliani returned to work and continued to appear publicly in the months that followed.
Ryan said the latest improvement marks a turning point in his recovery, though doctors will continue to monitor his condition closely in the coming days.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
Police dog follows his nose to find missing autistic teen screaming for help
Good boy, Ruger! A hero police pup followed his nose to find a missing autistic teen in a Florida parking lot, leading police straight to the rescue.
The high-stakes hunt kicked off on April 21 after the terrified youngster vanished from his home, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
That’s when K-9 Ruger and his partner, Officer Chris Havens, swooped in to save the day. The four-legged officer smelled the missing teen’s sock and began his search, police said.
Body camera video captured the rescue, with Ruger not missing a beat and dragging patrol officers through the brush and down to the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Ryar Road.
GENTLE GIANT CROWNED AMERICAN HUMANE’S 2024 HERO DOG FOR FINDING MISSING CHILDREN AND MORE
The "paws-itive" ending came when cops heard the boy’s screams for help coming from a nearby business lot.
"You did a good job calling us over," an officer is heard telling the teen in the body camera video. "When you see the police, you say something to them."
"We're glad we found you, we were getting really worried," he said.
KIDS WITH AUTISM SUPPORTED BY SERVICE DOGS, AS RESEARCH AND FAMILIES NOTE 'INCREDIBLE CHANGES'
After a checkup, the boy was reunited with his frantic family.
"When your loved one goes missing, we deploy our best tools to find them quickly and safely," the department said.
As for Ruger, police said that the dog earned himself a chew toy.
"Because he was able to lead officers close to the missing teen, K9 Ruger earned himself his favorite toy and plenty of ‘Good boy!’s!"
Ohio daycare worker convicted of horrific physical abuse of toddlers sentenced to years in prison
An Ohio daycare worker accused of terrorizing toddlers in her care — including repeatedly binding a 2-year-old with tape and leaving the child face down under a blanket — has been sentenced to years behind bars.
Katelyn Ann Strohacker, an employee at Over the Rainbow Children’s Center in Licking County, was convicted on 31 counts, including kidnapping and child endangerment, after entering a no-contest plea. She was sentenced to 8 to 12 years in prison, according to court records obtained by Fox News Digital.
The case began in August 2025 when a concerned parent raised alarms about the treatment of a toddler.
According to court documents, Strohacker used painter’s tape to bind the child and admitted to carrying out the abuse on multiple occasions. In one incident, the child was left restrained until a coworker intervened.
Investigators later reviewed surveillance footage and found the abuse was not isolated. Authorities say video showed Strohacker repeatedly abusing at least eight children over several weeks, including pushing, kicking and yanking toddlers.
In one incident, prosecutors say she purposely shut a child’s finger in a cabinet door.
"The defendant frequently shoved or yanked [the child], including one incident on July 11, 2025, where the defendant purposely shut the victim's finger in a cabinet door," as noted in court documents.
Officials say the impact on the children was severe. Several victims suffered night terrors, separation anxiety and behavioral issues.
NEW JERSEY TEACHER TAPED 9-YEAR-OLD BOY TO DESK FOR NEARLY AN HOUR, POLICE SAY
Investigators noted Strohacker had worked at the daycare for more than three years and had received "all necessary training and continuing education."
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, emotional parents spoke out about the lasting trauma.
One mother said she hopes Strohacker is "never allowed to be alone with children ever again," according to WSYX.
"May God have mercy on your soul, but I can't — because we pray he doesn't," the mother said.
Another parent described the toll on her young daughter.
"For our daughter, she’s been trapped in a cycle of sleep aggression and night terrors at two years old," the parent said.
FORMER NYC DAYCARE OWNER LEARNS FATE FOLLOWING TODDLER'S FENTANYL POISONING DEATH
Strohacker, who was facing a possible 87 to 92.5 years behind bars, remained largely silent in court, responding only to the judge’s questions, according to KENS5.
Her attorney delivered a brief apology to the victims’ families on her behalf.
The Licking County Sheriff's Office could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
UConn's Geno Auriemma admits regret over shouting match with South Carolina's Dawn Staley after loss
Geno Auriemma has 11 national titles to his name, but the UConn legend recently admitted he acted like a total rookie during his latest Final Four exit.
Speaking from the UConn campus, Auriemma finally addressed that viral shouting match with South Carolina’s Dawn Staley.
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In case you missed the scene in Phoenix ...
Auriemma decided to spend the closing moments of a 62-48 loss confronting Staley. He was apparently fed up with South Carolina’s physical play and a lack of the usual whistles, even going so far as to claim Staley snubbed him during the pregame handshake.
Staley, for her part, brushed it off with the casual confidence of someone who knows they have the better team.
BASKETBALL LEGEND CANDACE PARKER TAKES AIM AT GENO AURIEMMA AFTER DAWN STALEY CONFRONTATION
"I speak to a lot of coaches before the game," Staley told reporters, essentially hitting Geno with the "I don't even think about you" treatment. "I thought I did what I normally do."
Fast forward to Monday, and the Hall of Famer seems to have realized the optics weren't great.
"You do things on the spur of the moment sometimes, but they usually come from things that have been building up for some time," Auriemma admitted to the media.
"When I walked into the locker room afterward, you’re just shaking your head going, five more seconds, you couldn't keep it in for five more seconds? I just feel like a dumb--- for the way it played out. We are all human and we all do dumb s---."
"I wish I had those five seconds back," he added. "But that’s not how it works."
For Auriemma, maybe spend less time breaking down handshake film and more time figuring out how to not get run out of the gym by Dawn Staley.
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
Gen Z flocking to Catholic churches in NYC for youth groups, social events amid conversion boom
Generation Z is ditching the "spiritual but not religious" label for the pews of the Roman Catholic Church, fueling a conversion boom that experts say is driven by a desire for moral order, ancient tradition, and a rejection of modern secularism.
What was once dismissed as a post-pandemic fluke has transformed into a measurable cultural shift. According to recent data from the Barna Group, a firm tracking U.S. faith trends, Gen Z Christians are now attending church more frequently than Millennials, Gen X, and even Baby Boomers.
In 2025, the typical Gen Z churchgoer attended services nearly two weekends a month—the highest level since tracking began and a 100% increase from 2020 levels.
CATHOLIC CONFERENCE SHATTERS ATTENDANCE RECORDS AS 26,000 YOUNG PEOPLE FLOCK TO FAITH EVENT
The shift is particularly pronounced among young men, a demographic that has become an increasingly pivotal and competitive voting bloc in recent election cycles.
A Gallup poll released in April 2025 revealed a staggering rise in religious importance among young males. Approximately 42% of young men now report that religion is "very important" to them, up sharply from 28% in 2023. For the first time in recent history, young men have overtaken young women in religious devotion—a reversal of a decades-long trend in American sociology.
The epicenter of this revival is surprisingly found in deep-blue urban centers. In New York City, parish communities are struggling to find enough floor space for the influx of new converts.
At St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village, the congregation has reportedly ballooned to four times its usual size. A recent 6 p.m. Sunday Mass was described by onlookers as a "sold-out event."
"Every inch of pew space was filled, mostly with young adults," a recent Wall Street Journal report noted of the scene. "Latecomers squeezed into makeshift rows of plastic folding chairs or stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the foyer... Others squatted on balcony steps for the 90-minute service."
The "social" aspect of the faith is also evolving. At St. Joseph's, the "Pizza to Pews" pre-Mass meetup at a nearby restaurant saw attendance jump from 100 to over 200 participants in just three weeks, with some young adults traveling from as far as Boston to attend.
POLL FINDS SHARP RISE IN YOUNG MEN CALLING RELIGION 'VERY IMPORTANT'
The trend is also manifesting in the "Trad" (traditional) lifestyle movement on social media. Isabella Orlando, 23, a nutrition consultant, launched the "Holy Girl Walk" in Central Park—a Catholic spin on the viral "hot girl walk" trend.
What began as a small gathering of 50 women grew to over 150 participants after a video of the group praying the Rosary went viral.
The Rev. Boniface Endorf, pastor at St. Joseph’s, believes the surge is a direct response to the emptiness of modern digital life.
"People are looking for more than career and consumption," Endorf said. "What does it mean to grow up? They’re looking for guidance."
The movement comes as many young Catholics express a preference for "Traditional Latin Mass" and more formal liturgies, seeking a "counter-cultural" experience that stands in stark contrast to the progressive values prevalent in modern academia and corporate culture.
LIV golfer says he'll never return to the PGA Tour, reveals internal discussions, whether players were paid
Midway through the 2026 season, LIV Golf is at a crossroads.
The breakaway golf tour is dealing with major financial challenges, as the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) will no longer back the league and its expensive contracts. That funding was instrumental in getting stars like Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm to leave the PGA Tour, as well as the ability to stage fewer events in international locations.
Even as rumors swirled about the tour’s future, CEO Scott O’Neil expressed public confidence that the season would go on as scheduled. Soon afterward, an announced date in Louisiana was canceled. With the PIF backing out at the end of the 2026 season, LIV essentially needs to find new investors to continue as a rival tour.
That financial reality has led to speculation about the future of LIV players. Will the PGA Tour open up a new program with penalties similar to those Brooks Koepka faced upon his return? Will some players have to earn their PGA card back, as Patrick Reed is currently trying to do?
LIV GOLF'S END MAY BE IMMINENT AS REPORT SIGNALS SAUDI ARABIA IS PREPARING TO CUT OFF FUNDING
How it plays out for the entire roster remains to be seen, but there’s one LIV golfer who, to put it mildly, has no interest in going back to the PGA Tour regardless of what happens.
Thomas Pieters, a seven-time winner as a professional, predominantly on the European Tour, spoke with Dan Rappaport in a new interview for the "Dan on Golf" show about the future of LIV and how it relates to the PGA Tour. And he was adamant that his time as a PGA member is finished, no matter what happens next.
"I’m definitely never going back to the PGA Tour. I’ve never liked that life," Pieters said. "And that’s not me having a go at the PGA Tour, it’s not for me. I tried it and I just wasn’t happy out there. If it (LIV) goes away, I’ll probably try and play some on the European Tour or I don’t know. I really don’t know.
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU CALLS OUT LIV GOLF MEXICO CITY COURSE CONDITIONS AMID FUNDING CONCERNS
"I’m not too fussed about it at this point because I feel like I still have a duty to focus on these next six, seven tournaments on LIV and then we’ll see. They’re obviously trying to get it together next year. I think you know more than I do at this point, so we’ll see."
Pieters also addressed the rumors that LIV players hadn’t been paid around the Mexico City event, saying "We got paid, or we are getting paid."
As far as first-quarter payments, Pieters said that it might have been "a week late," though "some got it early, some got it a week late." He then added, humorously, "I’m not sure all these guys check their bank accounts every two seconds."
Rappaport asked him what LIV was telling players internally about future deliberations, and somewhat surprisingly, Pieters said they aren’t getting more information than the public.
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"Not much. I think whatever comes out officially from LIV is what we’re getting half a day before it goes out. I know Scott is telling us that he’s obviously going to a broader market and trying to fund this for next year. I guess it’s a massive challenge, but we just have to wait and see."
Pieters, refreshingly honest, also said it was "100% accurate" that he wasn’t too worried about the future of LIV because his mindset was to enjoy the bigger financial paydays while it lasted. He added that he’s eventually going to be out of the game, so he hasn’t been worried about when it does come to an end.
One of the advantages LIV had over the PGA Tour, beyond the signing bonuses and larger purses, was the reduced schedule. Instead of a weekly grind, where players are finishing on Sunday and immediately traveling to start prepping for the next tournament, events are more spread out. Several players cited that extra rest and time at home as a significant motivation for leaving. Pieters clearly appears to agree with them.
What happens with LIV and its players later this year will be the most fascinating story in the golf world. Many fans have been clamoring for both sides to be unified again. But if that happens, it sure sounds like Thomas Pieters won’t be with them.
Melissa Joan Hart pulls out Princess Leia throwbacks for Star Wars Day
Melissa Joan Hart couldn’t let an opportunity like Star Wars Day pass without reminding everyone that she once dressed up as Slave Leia. Well, she could have, but that wouldn’t be in the spirit of May the Fourth now, would it?
I'm not one to dress up in a costume, let alone dig through my closet looking for an old Star Wars T-shirt or anything. I won't be putting on one of the movies to celebrate either. I haven't nor will I be telling anyone, "May the Fourth be with you."
It's not that I'm not a fan of the Star Wars movies. I am. The first three in particular. I've seen the second three, but that's as far as I'm willing to go. I haven’t, and I don't plan on seeing anything beyond that. I don’t need any sequels or spinoffs.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
But this isn’t about me. I’m not here to rain on any parades. If you’re all in and want to keep being force-fed Star Wars content, have at it. I tagged out long ago, but I can appreciate a piece of nostalgia as much as the next guy.
That's where Princess Leia, or should I say these Melissa Joan Hart throwbacks, come into play.
The 50-year-old actress wore the costume for Halloween in 1997 when she was near the beginning of her run as the star of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." She had one of her favorite costumes locked and loaded for Star Wars Day.
That's how you celebrate May the Fourth. I'm not buying any arguments about Melissa Joan Hart or anyone else trying to make this about themselves. She's not doing that here. That isn’t her style.
This is her correctly paying her respects to the earlier movies without the need to try and reach to pay those respects. She has the perfect throwbacks for the occasion and she fired them off.
That's how you get a guy like me to say Happy Star Wars Day to all who celebrate.