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Michigan Wolverines fend off shocking upset bid from Western Michigan in early season thriller
We just passed the 19th anniversary of Michigan's shocking upset loss to Appalachian State that opened their 2007 season.
Well, we came about as close as you can to another major Michigan upset to kick off this year.
The Wolverines got their slate underway on Saturday night at Michigan Stadium by welcoming the Western Michigan Broncos.
THE 2007 MOUNTAINEERS REMAIN COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S GREATEST 'WHAT-IF' STORY NEARLY TWO DECADES LATER
As is often the case in these Week 1 matchups, Michigan came into this one as an overwhelming 27.5-point favorite.
Oddsmakers were also looking at a fairly high-scoring game with the o/u set at 49.5.
However, this turned into a low-scoring, defensive battle, with Michigan opening the scoring when QB Bryce Underwood punched it into the end zone from the 1-yard line.
A few minutes later, the Broncos answered with a field goal, then tacked on another before halftime, and that was the end of the scoring in the first half.
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The teams went to the locker room with Michigan up just 7-6.
That was a stunner, but surely Michigan would come out firing and put the 2025 MAC champions away.
Nope.
The next time either team would score wasn't until the fourth quarter, when Western Michigan kicked their third field goal of the game to go up 9-7.
Both teams failed to score on their next drives, but with Michigan looking like they were on the verge of at least marching downfield for a late game-winning field goal, the Broncos pulled off a stunner.
Western Michigan's Joshua Franklin managed to punch the ball out of Underwood's grasp as he fell to the turf, with the Broncos pouncing on top of it.
DEION SANDERS TAKES MULTIPLE SWIPES AT HIS CRITICS AFTER COLORADO STUNS GEORGIA TECH
Despite a scare due to a fumble of their own, the Broncos hung on to the ball and added another field goal to go up 12-7.
On the ensuing drive, Underwood connected with receiver Channing Goodwin around midfield, and with no timeouts, the Wolverines scrambled to the line of scrimmage to spike the ball with just nine seconds on the clock.
On the final play of the game, Underwood found space and gave his receivers time to get downfield before heaving a bomb that ended up sailing just out the back of the end zone.
But Michigan caught a break. Upon review, it was found that there was still one second left on the clock.
It was a controversial call, to say the least. Prepare to hear plenty of talk about it this week. The decision left just enough time for the Wolverines to get a snap off, with Underwood connecting with JJ Buchanan for a touchdown and a 13-12 Michigan win.
That 46-yard beauty of a Hail Mary for the win was the last of Underwood's 170 passing yards. He also rushed for 46 yards and one touchdown.
That's a maiden win for the Kyle Whittingham era in Ann Arbor, and surely no one saw it looking like that.
A heartbreaker for the Broncos and a heart-stopper for Michigan.
We're barely into the college football season, and we already have a classic (with a bit of controversy mixed in to boot).
Things will not get any easier for the Wolverines, as their next game will be on Sept. 12 when they welcome the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners to the Big House.
California pizza joint allegedly used as meth distribution hub as illegal immigrant charged
A California pizza shop allegedly had far more than pies on the menu, with a man accused of using the Round Table Pizza restaurant to sell massive quantities of meth.
Kawal Preet Singh, a 50-year-old Indian national living illegally in the United States, was indicted Thursday on federal drug and firearm charges after authorities allegedly uncovered more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine, three guns and over $10,000 in cash.
Federal prosecutors say Singh operated the Round Table Pizza restaurant in Dinuba, a Tulare County city about 30 miles southeast of Fresno, and used the business to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine.
CALIFORNIA SUSPECT'S ALLEGED $30K METH STASH SEIZED AFTER HE LEFT BACKPACK IN RIDESHARE: POLICE
Singh pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Thursday. He is not in custody, according to The Fresno Bee.
The Dinuba restaurant is listed as permanently closed on Google.
"The employee involved in the reported incident had worked at this location for approximately one and a half months," the company told GV Wire.
Erin Mandzik, senior director of corporate communications for FAT Brands, Round Table Pizza’s parent company, told The Fresno Bee that the restaurant was independently owned and operated.
Mandzik said the local owners had no knowledge of the alleged illegal activity before it came to light and were fully cooperating with authorities, according to the newspaper.
Fox News Digital reached out to Round Table Pizza seeking additional information about Singh’s role, the restaurant’s ownership and the decision to permanently close the location.
Federal agents searched Singh’s home and the restaurant Aug. 18 as part of an investigation into Indian organized crime in California’s Central Valley, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
Investigators allegedly found approximately 13.8 kilograms, or more than 30 pounds, of suspected methamphetamine at Singh’s home, The Fresno Bee reported.
CBP OFFICERS SEIZE OVER $2.8M IN COCAINE AND METH IN BACK-TO-BACK BUSTS AT CALIFORNIA PORT OF ENTRY
Another roughly 4.9 kilograms, or nearly 11 pounds, was allegedly packed into five clear plastic bags inside Singh’s Hyundai Sonata parked at the restaurant, according to the newspaper.
Agents also seized a semiautomatic handgun and $11,800 in cash, the outlet reported.
Photographs released by the Justice Department showed two handguns allegedly seized during the investigation, including one with a teal-colored frame. Another image showed clear plastic bags containing a crystalline substance authorities identified as methamphetamine.
A federal grand jury charged Singh with distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The investigation reportedly began with a May tip about a suspected narcotics trafficker operating in Fresno and distributing controlled substances.
Investigators later received information about a trafficker known as "Camy," who was described as a Sikh Indian man involved in long-haul trucking, according to court documents cited by The Fresno Bee.
BORDER AGENTS UNCOVER $20M COCAINE STASH HIDDEN BENEATH TRUCK FLOORBOARDS IN MASSIVE BUST
"The information identified the narcotics trafficker as ‘Camy’ and described him as a Sikh Indian male involved in long-haul trucking," an FBI affidavit said, according to the outlet. "The suspect worked with a network of other Sikh Indian truck drivers to transport narcotics."
Investigators developed evidence indicating that a network of truck drivers transported hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Mexico into the United States for an unidentified Mexican cartel, The Fresno Bee reported. Singh has not been charged with a cocaine-related crime.
The Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force later identified Singh as a subject of the investigation, federal prosecutors said.
Search warrants signed Aug. 13 covered Singh, his home and the Dinuba restaurant, according to The Fresno Bee. Five days later, agents allegedly watched Singh leave the restaurant and drive to his home before searching both properties.
Singh allegedly told investigators he had not sold methamphetamine for approximately two months and claimed he was storing the drugs for a friend, according to the outlet.
Singh faces at least 10 years in federal prison if convicted of the drug charges. The firearm count could add at least five more years behind bars.
Prosecutors emphasized that the charges are allegations and that Singh is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Singh’s next federal court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Kennedy Center ceiling partially collapses as Trump-led board pushes for 2-year closure
The Kennedy Center shared photos on Saturday that showed a partial ceiling collapse that happened during a rainstorm in the main hallway of the over 50-year-old performing arts building.
Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center, said the collapse underscored the need to close the building for renovations.
"Another example of the urgent need to close for renovation and revitalization, as our Chairman President [Donald] Trump has championed," Daravi said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital, adding, "This structural failure stems from decades of neglect and deferred maintenance by the previous leadership, and there’s no justification for further delays in restoring America’s cultural center."
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The center’s board, which is led by Trump, voted in August to close the building for two years.
This came after a judge ruled in May that Trump’s name must come off the building months after the board voted to name it: "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
"Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else, bring this Institution back, physically, financially, and artistically, I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into 'NEVER NEVER LAND,'" Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time. "Therefore, based on the fact that the Radical Left Democrats care more about opposing your favorite President, ME, than saving a dying Performing Arts Center, almost all of which lose large amounts of money throughout the Country, we are going to be working with Congress to transfer this failing Institution back to them so they can make a determination as to what to do with it."
Last month, the board voted to rename the institution’s grounds "President Donald J. Trump Plaza" and to put lettering on the building that says "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump."
The board remains in court fighting to move forward with the name changes, as well as the closure and $250 million in renovations.
Grace Terpstra, founder of the community group Keep the KC, which is fighting the closure, said she thinks the board will use the collapse "to make the point that the whole thing needs to be shut down, that it’s going to fall on everybody."
KENNEDY CENTER DISPUTES ALLEGATIONS ON CONTRACTOR BIDS DESPITE DEMOCRAT SENATOR'S CLAIMS
She added, "I think they’ll try to make it into a bigger thing and show that they’ve found a lot of other things."
A tarp and scaffolding has covered the front of the building since the bronze letters that made up Trump’s name were removed in June.
Last week, the center did remove a piece of modern artwork called "Blue" that has been outside the building since 2019, saying in a statement, "we are honored to have been stewards" of the late sculptor Joel Shapiro's work.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Oregon rallies from slow start, thwarts Boise State's upset bid in season opener
No. 2 Oregon survived a scare in its first game of the 2026 college football season Saturday. Despite entering the opener as heavy favorites over unranked Boise State, the Ducks found themselves tied 27-27 in the fourth quarter.
But the Ducks ultimately held off a resilient Broncos team when wide receiver Dakorien Moore hauled in a 62-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dante Moore, putting Oregon ahead for good.
Oregon held on to win 34-27 and extend its home winning streak against nonconference opponents to 39 games, the longest active streak in the nation.
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Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen finished with 181 passing yards and three touchdowns. Despite Saturday’s loss, Madsen delivered the kind of performance he can potentially build on this season after throwing for 2,334 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.
The Broncos, who join the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference this year, went 9-5 last season in the Mountain West.
Boise State scored on the first series of the game, with Madsen hitting Cam Bates with a 13-yard scoring pass to cap an 11-play drive. The Ducks tied it on Jordon Davison’s 1-yard dive early in the second quarter.
After Evan Stewart muffed a punt and the Broncos recovered, Sire Gaines scored on a 37-yard reception to give Boise State the lead again. Canaan Moore added a 29-yard field goal to extend it with less than three minutes left before halftime.
With just 19 seconds left, Dante Moore found Jamari Johnson with a 27-yard pass to close the game to 17-14 at the break.
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After Gage Hurych’s 26-yard field goal, Oregon went ahead on Jeremiah McClellan’s 8-yard TD catch. But the Broncos tied it up again before the end of the third quarter on Madsen’s 7-yard scoring pass to Matt Wagner.
Hurych and Canaan Moore traded field goals in the fourth quarter before Dakorien Moore’s touchdown.
Oregon travels to Stillwater next week to face Oklahoma State. Boise State will host Memphis in Week 2.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Machete-wielding MS-13 gangster wanted for murder walks free after Biden-appointed judge releases him: DHS
An MS-13 gang member convicted in a savage execution-style murder is out of federal custody in California after a federal judge ordered his immediate release, igniting fury from the Trump administration.
U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta ordered the release of David Antonio Aviles Perez, 35, aka "the witch," after finding that immigration officials held him for five months without giving him a bond hearing or determining whether he posed a danger to the public or a flight risk.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin accused the Biden-appointed judge of putting the public in danger by ordering Aviles Perez’s release.
"This radical activist judge has put American lives at risk by releasing a wanted murderer," Mullin said in a statement Saturday.
"This is now the SECOND time this dangerous illegal has been released back onto the streets in California," he added. "Because sanctuary politicians want to play politics from the bench, innocent Americans are in danger."
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The case centers on a brutal 2014 gang killing in El Salvador and a legal fight over the Trump administration’s authority to detain immigrants while removal proceedings unfold.
Alvise Perez, identified by Salvadoran prosecutors as an active MS-13 member also known as "La Bruja," or "The Witch," was convicted while outside El Salvador in December 2025 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated murder.
ICE NABS ACCUSED MS-13 KILLER HIDING IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA SUBURB
Prosecutors said Aviles Perez and another MS-13 member chased a man through a mountainous area in La Unión before fellow gang members forced the victim to stop and kneel.
The victim was held by the shoulders as Aviles Perez and his accomplice approached, prosecutors said.
The gang members then shot the man in the chest, back and face before fleeing. Both defendants were tried and convicted while outside the country.
Aviles Perez entered the U.S. at an unknown date and location, according to DHS.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH BRUTAL SLAYING ONE DAY AFTER CALIFORNIA JUDGE RELEASED HIM: DHS
He was arrested in Monterey, California, in 2023, after allegedly swinging a machete at a homeless man at Laguna Grande Park near Monterey State Beach. He allegedly hid the weapon before officers recovered it from a nearby Holiday Inn parking lot.
Aviles Perez was charged and convicted after the incident but later released from custody. DHS blamed California’s sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration officials.
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ICE agents arrested him again in San Diego on March 26 and took him into custody pending his removal to El Salvador.
He was held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center pending removal to El Salvador until Ohta ordered his immediate release Aug. 26, federal court records show.
After nearly five months in immigration custody, Aviles Perez filed a petition challenging his detention and seeking his immediate release.
Ohta ruled that immigration officials violated his Fifth Amendment due process rights by holding him without an individualized assessment of whether he was dangerous or likely to flee.
"Although Petitioner appears to have previously been convicted following a fight with another individual in May 2023, the government has offered no evidence that it detained him after considering those facts and making an individualized determination of his danger to the public or flight risk," Ohta wrote.
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The judge said federal officials gave Aviles Perez "no process before or after his detention" and had not shown that providing a hearing would place an undue burden on the government.
Ohta ordered his immediate release and barred ICE from detaining him again unless an immigration judge first holds a bond hearing and determines that renewed detention is warranted.
A status report was filed in the case Aug. 27, one day after the release order. DHS said Aviles Perez was subsequently released from federal custody.
The ruling did not clear Aviles Perez of wrongdoing or find that he posed no danger. It focused on whether immigration officials followed the required process to justify keeping him detained.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Ohta to the San Diego County Superior Court in December 2020, according to the governor’s office.
President Joe Biden nominated her to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in September 2021. The Senate confirmed her that December, and her judicial commission was issued later that month, according to the Federal Judicial Center.
Mullin vowed that the ruling would not derail the administration’s immigration crackdown.
"DHS and ICE will not be deterred by these partisan games," he said. "If California’s leaders won’t protect Americans, DHS will."
Fox News Digital reached out to Ohta's office for additional comment and confirmation surrounding Aviles Perez’s release.
Trump-linked MAGA Inc pours $10M into Ken Paxton's Texas Senate race against James Talarico
MAGA, Inc., the super PAC linked to President Donald Trump, has made its first major midterm buy with $10 million in ad spending to support Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his Senate race, according to a new filing with the Federal Election Commission.
Paxton and Democrat state Rep. James Talarico are locked in a tight race in which polls continually show the two candidates neck and neck.
The $10 million will go toward digital and TV ads across the state.
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Trump’s endorsement earlier this year already helped Paxton beat incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary.
"While James Talarico has a record of raising taxes on working families, my Protecting the Texas Promise Agenda cuts costs and makes life more affordable. Thank you, President @realDonaldTrump, for your support," Paxton wrote on X on Saturday while sharing a post about the ad buy. "Together we will win for Texas and America."
The decision comes after weeks of speculation over whether the super PAC would put money into the hotly contested race.
Talarico’s campaign also responded to the move, telling Fox News Digital, "Billionaire-backed dark money groups are lying about James Talarico because they’re scared of the people-powered movement we’re building to fix this broken, corrupt political system."
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Talarico, who has called for higher taxes on the wealthy, called out billionaires heading to the Republican midterm convention starting Wednesday.
"Next week, billionaire mega-donors and their puppet politicians will gather at a convention in Dallas to clink champagne glasses and toast their own corruption," he said.
"They’re paying $20,000 for entry to a Billionaire Ball celebrating corrupt tariffs, billionaire tax breaks, and a new forever war that are all driving grocery costs through the roof. We’ll be doing something different. We’re bringing Republicans, Democrats and independents together to collect groceries for our neighbors who have been screwed over by corrupt politicians."
Calling him "High Tax Talarico," MAGA Inc. spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer told Fox News Digital the Democrat "wants to take money out of Texans' pockets. MAGA Inc. is going to ensure Texas knows about Talarico's radical policies and elects Ken Paxton to the U.S. Senate."
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Talarico’s campaign has raised $72 million since the campaign began, mostly from small donors, compared to $16.8 million by Paxton’s campaign, according to the Texas Tribune.
The two anti-Talarico ads slam his policies on taxes and rural hospitals while touting Paxton’s support for doubling the child tax credit, allowing tax breaks for medical expenses and a $50,000 deduction for first-time homebuyers.
MAGA, Inc. has around $400 million in campaign funds, which Trump called "my money" while speaking to reporters this week, adding, "I’m going to spend whatever amount of money necessary to try and help us."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tennessee Volunteers fans pay incredible tribute to Dolly Parton during season opener
The death of country music, movie, theme park and, frankly, all-around icon Dolly Parton hit a lot of people hard.
That includes folks in her home state of Tennessee, a place she was virtually synonymous with.
On Saturday, the Tennessee Volunteers football team opened its 2026 season, and the entire Neyland Stadium crowd paid tribute to the late legend.
PEYTON MANNING PAYS TRIBUTE TO DOLLY PARTON: 'TENNESSEE WON'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT HER!'
It was announced ahead of the game that one of the tributes to Parton — an orange butterfly decal with her name on it — would be on the back of every Volunteers player's helmet.
Head coach Josh Heupel revealed that the decal will be sticking around all season long.
"All that she's meant across the world, this country, and certainly the Queen of East Tennessee," Heupel said, per ESPN. "A lady that was extremely proud of her roots. You look at her impact, just her ability to give back, make an impact to people, certainly here in East Tennessee. She means a lot to people across this country, but certainly here inside the state of Tennessee, too."
The Volunteers hosted the Furman Paladins on Saturday, and there were more tributes on the way during the game.
Perhaps the biggest came when the entire stadium — 102,000 fans strong — joined together to sing Parton's 1974 hit "I Will Always Love You" in unison.
Probably more than a few people in the stands were cutting onions during that one.
What a moment.
But there was more. For the last couple of seasons, the Vols have played the Morgan Wallen song "The Way I Talk" during the fourth quarter.
TENNESSEE MOVES TO RENAME NASHVILLE AIRPORT FOR DOLLY PARTON DAYS AFTER BELOVED ICON'S DEATH
This time? Dolly's "My Tennessee Mountain Home."
It wouldn't be a shocker to see this become a new tradition, and just another example of how much Dolly Parton meant to the state of Tennessee.
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers hopes to be 'supporting my pregnant wife' by next year after final NFL season
Next Sunday will mark the beginning of what could be Aaron Rodgers’ final NFL season. The four-time league MVP signed a one-year contract during the offseason to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rodgers’ potential retirement has been widely discussed, and more details emerged this week about what his life could look like beyond football.
Starting a family appears to be among the 42-year-old quarterback’s priorities whenever he does decide to step away from the game. Rodgers told SiriusXM that he hopes he and his wife will be in the midst of doing so by this time next year.
"I'm hopefully going to be supporting my pregnant wife because we're going to start a family and I am not going to be making a lot of appearances or statements," Rodgers told SiriusXM's "Mad Dog Radio."
"And I’m looking forward to a life of quiet after 22 years in the pros and three in college and getting my body healed up and working on a family. That’s what I’m looking forward to."
The conversation then turned to whether Rodgers was simply looking ahead or hinting at something more immediate. "I’m talking about I’m hoping that I have a pregnant wife by next [year] this time," Rodgers said.
After a period of distance from some relatives, Rodgers acknowledged that reconnecting with them had influenced his hopes of starting a family. Rodgers added that he's enjoyed spending time with his brother’s children.
AARON RODGERS CREDITS WIFE FOR FAMILY REUNION AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE OF ESTRANGEMENT
"I'm definitely excited about it," Rodgers said. "I mean, being back in my family's lives, I'm having a lot of fun being Uncle Aaron. I have a few godkids that I'm involved with, but being Uncle Aaron to my brother's kids has been a lot of fun."
"And the more I'm around them, the more I get excited, and so does the wife, about having some of our own," he continued. "So, I'm excited for that. I can't wait for that next chapter of life and all that that entails, and sleepless nights and crying babies and changing diapers and all those things, I'm looking forward to all of it."
Since announcing his marriage, Rodgers has kept his wife’s personal life out of the spotlight. The NFL star has described his spouse as a "private person."
Fan runs onto field at Houston Cougars game, gets absolutely trucked by police officer
The college football season, in all its glory, is upon us, and it feels like it couldn’t have come soon enough for all of us.
In fact, a lunatic in Houston couldn't wait more than one game before sprinting onto the field.
Unfortunately for him — but fortunately for the rest of us — he was absolutely demolished by a police officer who was at the top of his game.
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The No. 23 Cougars opened their season with one of the tougher Week 1 matchups, with the Oregon State Beavers coming to town.
Houston ended up winning 33-20 to go 1-0 in this young college football season, but they didn't get the job done before some dude in a blue shirt hopped on the field to... actually, I'm not really sure what he was trying to accomplish.
UMASS PLAYER ABSOLUTELY OBLITERATES UNSUSPECTING WOMAN ON THE SIDELINES AFTER INTERCEPTION
Jeez! That's some top-notch work from the boys in blue.
I think Houston’s going to get calls asking how many more years of eligibility that cop has left because that tackle was textbook.
I still don't understand why people do this. Sure, you get a few moments of fleeting face time on social media, but at what cost?
Legal problems?
Expulsion?
Getting driven through the Earth's crust by a cop or security guard who definitely played at least a year or two of college ball?
INDIANA'S MASCOT STARTS THE SEASON WITH AN ABSOLUTE HEATER THAT PUTS OTHER MASCOTS TO SHAME
Well, he'll be feeling that one tomorrow, and probably for several days after.
I'm sure he's not thinking about doing that again, but on the off chance that he is, the next time the Cougars are in action will be on Sept. 12, when they host the Southern Jaguars.
The following week, they'll have what is shaping up to be a huge game for the Big XII championship picture when they travel to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech.
Dr Phil says Lindsay Clancy mistrial a 'teachable moment' on postpartum psychosis: 'There was a failure here'
Dr. Phil McGraw on Saturday weighed in on the Lindsay Clancy trial, one day after the judge declared a mistrial when the jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the killings of her three children.
The defense team of the mother who admitted to strangling her three children to death in 2023 claims the 36-year-old was suffering from postpartum psychosis and wasn’t in control of her actions when she killed her children.
McGraw told Fox News anchor Aishah Hasnie on "Fox News Live" Saturday that Clancy's children — Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months — "are the real folks we need to give our attention to here. Three innocent children did lose their lives, and you can never explain these situations away simply."
He said it also concerns him when mental illness gets depicted in the courtroom, it becomes "kind of a political, ideological football that’s used to try to skew something or is kind of debunked by another side rather than looking at what actually took place."
McGraw stressed that there eventually will be "accountability" in the case. Even if she’s not found criminally responsible, "she’s not going home."
"She’s going to have to live with this the rest of her life and probably in a psychiatric facility if, in fact, she is not guilty by reason of mental defect or disease," he said.
"I think people underestimate the power of psychosis in taking over someone’s life. It’s not an excuse, but, for example, if she had a brain tumor you could see on an X-ray, people would go ‘OK, I get that.’ And when you have what took place here, it could be just as powerful as someone whose brain is hijacked by a tumor.
"I’m not excusing what she did in any way," he said. "I think she should be held fully accountable, but I think we need to understand causation."
The prosecution made a "pretty clunky presentation," McGraw said, adding that he felt they got their act together "in the end."
"I’ve spent a lot of my professional career working in trial sciences and dealing with juries and juries looking for a coherent explanation," he explained.
He said the defense’s explanation was "much more understandable and much more coherent than what the prosecution did.
McGraw also worried that the case could cause a "copycat" effect.
"We certainly don’t want that to take place here, so we need to look at what the cultural effects are," he said.
There is also a "huge" difference between postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, he stressed.
"Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate hospitalization," he said. "It’s not a time to adjust medications. It’s not a time to schedule an extra appointment during the week. It is a psychiatric emergency that requires in-patient care and separation from the children. Not tomorrow morning, not tomorrow afternoon, but immediately."
He called Clancy’s case a "psychiatric emergency that wasn’t treated as such."
It’s one thing to use the case as a "teachable moment for the country," McGraw cautioned, but it’s another for people to raise her up as some kind of "heroine."
"There’s nothing to be celebrated here," he said. "If there’s any lesson to be taken for our culture, it’s that there was a failure here. This was a woman who asked for help. She admitted herself to the hospital. Was that enough?"
The jury "tends to get it right," he said, explaining that they were "headed toward committing her for a long period of time."
"I think people need to understand that mental illness is a serious, serious issue," he said, adding he was worried that people would forget about Cora, Dawson and Callan.
"I hate we are focusing everywhere except there," he said. "And there are a lot of fingers to point, but now’s not the time to do that. We need to adjudicate this case, and then we need to step back and say, ‘What can we learn from this?’
Situations like Clancy’s case "occur one or two times out of 1,000," McGraw explained, "but that’s not nothing. One or two times out of 1,000 are one or two times too many. This is avoidable."
His wish is that people would pay attention to the "red flags" depicted in Clancy’s case that can be "internalized to help mothers when they get in over their heads and need the kind of intervention that was needed here."
"Reach out for help," he urged. "It’s not weakness. It’s strength."