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Indiana crushes Oregon to advance to first championship game in program history, stunning sports world
The 2025 Indiana Hoosiers became the fifth team in college football history to go 15-0. Now they can become the second team ever to go 16-0, joining only a 1894 Yale team that played with leather helmets.
With a merciless 56-22 thumping of Oregon in the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers punched their ticket to their first national championship game appearance in program history.
Head coach Curt Cignetti has left the college football world breathless with a dramatic turnaround of the Hoosiers program, going from one of the losingest teams in the Big 10 to potentially the most dominant single-season of all time.
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Many prominent sports figures took to social media to express their amazement of Indiana's unprecedented dominance during and after their win over Oregon. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also chimed in.
Indiana's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes, improving his case to be the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Kaelon Black ran for two touchdowns to lead the Indiana running game.
Oregon (13-2, No. 5 CFP) was doomed by the three first-half turnovers while also being short-handed by the absence of two of their top running backs.
Indiana’s defense didn’t wait long to make an impact. On Oregon’s first snap, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Moore’s pass intended for Malik Benson and returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown. Only 11 seconds into the game, the Hoosiers and their defense already had made a statement this would be a long night for Moore and the Oregon offense.
Moore’s 19-yard scoring pass to tight end Jamari Johnson tied the game. The remainder of the half belonged to Indiana and its big-play defense.
After Mendoza’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. gave the Hoosiers the lead for good at 14-7, Indiana’s defense forced a turnover when Moore fumbled and Indiana recovered at the Oregon 3, setting up Black’s scoring run.
Moore lost a second fumble later in the second quarter when hit by Daniel Ndukwe and Mario Landino recovered at the Oregon 21. Mendoza’s first scoring pass to Sarratt gave the Hoosiers’ the 35-7 lead.
Indiana extended its lead to 42-7 on Mendoza’s 13-yard scoring pass to E.J. Williams Jr.
Oregon finally answered. A 70-yard run by Hill set up a 2-yard scoring run by Harris.
The Hoosiers led 35-7 at halftime as the Ducks were held to nine rushing yards on 17 carries. Noah Whittington, who leads Oregon with 829 rushing yards, was held out with an undisclosed injury after Jordon Davison, who had rushed for 667 yards and 15 touchdowns, already was listed as out with a collarbone injury.
Backup running backs, including Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr, provided too little help for quarterback Dante Moore. Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.
Following their undefeated regular season, the Hoosiers have only gained momentum in the CFP. Indiana overwhelmed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal as Mendoza passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
Now, the Hoosiers will prepare to face Miami on Jan. 19 in the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Miami beat Mississippi 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday night.
Indiana will try to give the Big Ten its third straight national title, following Ohio State and Michigan the last two seasons. Few teams from any conference can compare with the Hoosiers’ season-long demonstration of balanced strong play.
The country will be watching to see if this unprecedented team can finish the job and really punch their ticket into the history books.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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McDonald's bets on giant burgers, secret menus and nostalgia, with US rollout still uncertain
McDonald's is betting on bigger burgers, viral menu hacks and nostalgia to drive traffic in 2026, according to reports.
The fast-food giant is rolling out high-profile menu changes this year, including its biggest burger ever, an official "secret menu" and a Pokémon partnership, though not all the updates are expected to come to the United States.
McDonald's has made the Big Arch — a massive double-patty burger — a permanent menu item in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The item features two beef patties, three slices of cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions and a new tangy Big Arch sauce on a poppy and sesame seed bun, according to a news release.
MCRIB RETURNS TO MOST MCDONALD'S MENUS AS FANS CHEER AND CRITICS GROAN
McDonald's may be preparing for a U.S. rollout, according to the Daily Mail, but the company has not publicly confirmed when or if the Big Arch will launch nationwide.
When asked about its plans, McDonald's declined to comment to Fox News Digital.
So far, fans aren't happy about the new pricing.
When the Big Arch became a permanent menu item overseas, its price rose from £7.99 to £8.79 — roughly $10 to $11 — with a medium meal costing more than £10, or around $13, according to The Sun.
"It's all a rip-off," exclaimed one person on a social media post, responding to the announcement of the new item on the Instagram account Snackolator.
Other critics have given mixed reviews of the new Big Arch sauce, which some say doesn't compare to the classic Big Mac version, as well as the overall flavor.
WORLD'S OLDEST MCDONALD'S QUARTER POUNDER TURNS 30 AND IS STILL 'EERILY INTACT'
"It was the messiest burger I've ever had," an Instagram user said, adding that it was overall "decent."
"It's very onion forward," commented someone else.
Another part of McDonald's international release is a "secret menu" that turns viral social media food hacks into limited-time offerings, according to a news release, though no U.S. rollout has been confirmed.
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The lineup includes mashups such as the Surf N' Turf burger, a Chicken Cheeseburger and the returning Chicken Big Mac, along with novelty items like an Espresso Milkshake, an Apple Pie Mini McFlurry and Big Mac sauce sold separately as a dip.
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"Some of these mash-ups shouldn't work, but they are weirdly good and need to be tried to be believed," Ben Fox, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for McDonald's in the U.K. and Ireland, said in a statement.
"This limited-time lineup celebrates the creativity of our customers that we see every day on social media."
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Something that could be headed to the U.S., meanwhile, is a Pokémon-themed Happy Meal tied to the 30th anniversary that the gaming franchise is celebrating this year, according to reports.
The collaboration has not been officially confirmed, but The Street reported that the limited-time promotion could include themed packaging and Pokémon trading cards.
The strategy reflects McDonald's broader push to lean on nostalgia and popular partnerships to drive traffic and loyalty at a time when consumers are growing more cautious about spending, the outlet reported, citing a recent earnings call.
Treasury secretary announces cash rewards for Minnesota fraud whistleblowers
Whistleblowers who come forward with information related to Minnesota’s sprawling fraud scandal will receive cash payments, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday on Fox News.
The Trump administration launched a wide-scale fraud investigation in Minnesota amid a growing web of allegations involving money-laundering schemes and misuse of taxpayer funds.
"We know that these rats will turn on each other," Bessent told "The Ingraham Angle."
"We are going to offer whistleblower payments to anyone who wants to tell us the who, what, when, where and how this fraud has been done. I think that that will give us a great leap forward on how to get it done," he added.
CRITICS WARN MINNESOTA LEGISLATION NOW TAKING EFFECT IS SETTING UP THE 'NEXT BILLION-DOLLAR FRAUD'
Several Minnesota childcare and food-distribution facilities have been accused of misusing federal funds while a recent audit showed corruption tied to taxpayer-funded grant programs.
The daycare and food-distribution sites allegedly did not provide childcare or serve food, but instead used the federal funds they received to launder money.
A state audit found limited monitoring of grant programs within the Department of Human Services’ Behavioral Health Administration, which distributed hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to mental health and addiction services.
The Trump administration froze multiple federal funding streams to Minnesota, including certain funding from the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
However, a federal judge on Friday temporarily halted the Trump administration from freezing about $10 billion in federal funding to five Democratic-led states.
BESSENT BLAMES WALZ AS TREASURY PROBES WHETHER MINNESOTA FRAUD FUNDS REACHED TERROR GROUP AL-SHABAB
Bessent said the fraud continues, pointing to a recent finding in which a convicted fraudster allegedly attempted to bribe a juror.
"One of the people who has been convicted of fraud — she was given $200,000 to bribe a juror," he explained. "And she was so corrupt, she skimmed $80,000 of it and only tried to give a $120,000 bribe."
Preliminary autopsy reveals possible cause of death for missing 4-year-old Alabama boy Johnathan Boley
Officials have reportedly identified a possible cause of death for a 4-year-old Alabama boy who was found dead days after he was reported missing on New Year’s Eve.
A preliminary autopsy report indicates that Johnathan Boley's death is consistent with hypothermia, Walker County Coroner Joey Vick said this week, according to Fox affiliate WBRC and NBC affiliate WVTM.
Investigators noted that the child had removed his shoes and said drowning was not suspected, WTVM reported.
A final autopsy report has not yet been released.
MISSING 4-YEAR-OLD FLORIDA BOY FOUND DEAD AFTER MASSIVE 3-DAY SEARCH IN ALABAMA WOODS
Boley’s funeral is scheduled for Jan. 10, according to WBRC.
Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is exposed to freezing temperatures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Johnathan Everett Boley was reported missing on Dec. 30 after he wandered away from a rural property along Highway 195 near Jasper, Alabama, while playing outside with his dog, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said during a news conference.
Following a multi-day search involving hundreds of law enforcement officers, volunteers, K-9 teams, drones and aircraft, searchers found the child’s body on Jan. 2 roughly two miles from the home, officials said.
The dog was located alive nearby.
FATHER ARRESTED ON DRUG, WEAPONS CHARGES AS 4-YEAR-OLD SON FOUND DEAD AFTER NEW YEAR'S DISAPPEARANCE
"This is not the outcome anyone hoped for," Smith said at the time. "Our hearts go out to this family and everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this child home."
Johnathan Boley and his siblings live with their mother in Florida and were visiting their father for the holidays under a custody arrangement, authorities said.
Boley's father, Jameson Kyle Boley, 40, of Jasper, Alabama, has been charged with felony chemical endangerment of a child and unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, according to Walker County District Court records obtained by Fox News Digital.
Law enforcement officials have said that the destructive-device charge is not related to the death of his son.
WATCH: MISSING FLORIDA CHILD RECOVERED AFTER VIOLENT TRAFFIC STOP AND HIGH-SPEED CHASE
"At this time, there is no evidence indicating foul play in the child’s death, and these charges should not be conflated with the search for Johnathan," Smith said during a news conference.
The Walker County Coroner's office and the Walker County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
Federal judge blocks Trump from cutting childcare funds to Democratic states over fraud concerns
A federal judge Friday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from stopping subsidies on childcare programs in five states, including Minnesota, amid allegations of fraud.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, a Biden appointee, didn’t rule on the legality of the funding freeze, but said the states had met the legal threshold to maintain the "status quo" on funding for at least two weeks while arguments continue.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it would withhold funds for programs in five Democratic states over fraud concerns.
The programs include the Child Care and Development Fund, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, and the Social Services Block Grant, all of which help needy families.
USDA IMMEDIATELY SUSPENDS ALL FEDERAL FUNDING TO MINNESOTA AMID FRAUD INVESTIGATION
"Families who rely on childcare and family assistance programs deserve confidence that these resources are used lawfully and for their intended purpose," HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill said in a statement on Tuesday.
The states, which include California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, argued in court filings that the federal government didn’t have the legal right to end the funds and that the new policy is creating "operational chaos" in the states.
In total, the states said they receive more than $10 billion in federal funding for the programs.
HHS said it had "reason to believe" that the programs were offering funds to people in the country illegally.
'TIP OF THE ICEBERG': SENATE REPUBLICANS PRESS GOV WALZ OVER MINNESOTA FRAUD SCANDAL
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is leading the lawsuit, called the ruling a "critical victory for families whose lives have been upended by this administration’s cruelty."
Fox News Digital has reached out to HHS for comment.
California driver allegedly kills 2 more people while out on bail for previous fatal crash
A 24-year-old Southern California resident was arrested Wednesday following two deadly collisions just months apart.
Ahkeyajahnique Owens, 24, was free on bail after she allegedly hit and killed a bicyclist Oct. 6 in Long Beach when she allegedly hit and killed two people in another car in a January hit-and-run, the Long Beach Police Department said.
In the Jan. 4 crash, Owens allegedly killed Gilberto Lopez, 21, and Bobbi Smith, 24, and injured three others.
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Owens turned herself into Long Beach police Wednesday, and she was booked on $200,000 bail.
The department didn’t say how much her bail was after the first crash.
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She was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter in the October crash.
She will likely face additional charges after an investigation into the January crash when the case is presented to the District Attorney’s Office next week.
Owens has been linked to both crashes through video and forensic evidence, police said.
Police have not yet detailed the causes of the crashes.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dismisses new ICE shooting video, says agent 'walked away with a hop in his step'
Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey shrugged off the newly surfaced cellphone video Friday taken by a federal agent of the shooting that killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good.
Alpha News was the first to obtain the video showing a tense exchange between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent and Good, who was shot and killed while behind the wheel of her car he was standing in front of it. The video also shows Good's wife, who is seen taunting the agent from outside the vehicle.
In a report that aired Friday on ABC's "World News Tonight," Frey was shown the video by correspondent Whit Johnson but appeared not to be swayed by it.
"He walked away with a hop in his step from the incident. There's another person that's dead. He held on his cell phone. I think that speaks for itself," Frey reacted.
"Does that video, that angle change your perspective at all about what may have happened?" Johnson asked.
"I think an investigation could change or affirm my perspective," Frey responded. "But we've [all got] two eyes, and I can see a person that is trying to leave. I can see an ICE agent that was not run over by a car. That didn't happen."
RENEE NICOLE GOOD PART OF 'ICE WATCH' GROUP, DHS SOURCES SAY
Frey rushed to reject the Trump administration's claim that the ICE agent acted in self-defense Wednesday, calling it "bulls---" and demanding ICE "get the f--- out of Minneapolis."
The shooting has divided the country along partisan lines, with the Trump administration accusing Good of attempting to ram her vehicle into the ICE agent and critics saying she was trying to turn her vehicle away and that the ICE agent used excessive force.
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The new footage shows the ICE agent approaching the vehicle with Good telling him, "That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad."
Her wife, seen approaching the agent, taunted him, "You want to come at us? I say go get yourself some lunch, big boy. Go ahead."
Another agent is heard repeatedly telling Good to get out of the car. As her wife attempts to get into the passenger door, Good backs up her vehicle with her wife telling her, "Drive, baby. Drive."
As the car moves forward, the agent says "Whoa" as his cellphone shakes before shots ring out. Someone is heard saying, "F---ing b----" as the car veers away before crashing into a parked vehicle, which is only heard in the footage.
Former Colts RB Randy McMillan, known for historic debut, dies at 67
The Indianapolis Colts are mourning the loss of former standout player Randy McMillan, who died at age 67.
The late running back was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft. McMillan quickly captured the hearts of Colts fans with a historic performance in his NFL debut.
In his first pro game against the New England Patriots, McMillan ran for 146 yards, scoring two touchdowns to help lift Baltimore to a 29-28 victory in September 1981. The performance earned Millan his first NFL Offensive Player of the Week honor.
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Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk is the only player in franchise history to rush for more touchdowns in his NFL debut. Faulk finished his first games in a Colts uniform with three rushing scores.
EX-NFL LINEBACKER KEITH BROWNER DEAD AT 63
McMillan did not surpass the 100-yard rushing mark in any of the remaining games in his rookie season. He ended the season with 597 rushing yards, racking up another 466 receiving yards. He was with the Colts when the franchise moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984.
McMillan played for the Colts from 1981-86.
He retired at 28 after he was hit by a car, which resulted in a leg injury. McMillan rushed for 3,876 yards in his NFL career.
McMillan's college football career started at Harford (Maryland) College. He later transferred to Pittsburgh, where he spent two years playing alongside quarterback Dan Marino.
McMillan was the nation's leading scorer and top rusher in 1978. He is a member of the Harford Sports Hall of Fame.
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Washington National Opera to depart Trump-Kennedy Center amid reported financial difficulties
The Washington National Opera announced plans Friday to leave the Trump-Kennedy Center, one of several noteworthy departures since the Trump administration took charge of the institution.
The Trump administration’s move to assert control over the newly rebranded Trump-Kennedy Center has sparked backlash from some artists and performers who argue the move politicizes the cultural space. This latest departure is reportedly due to financial difficulties rather than political disputes, however.
The Washington National Opera (WNO), which has performed at the Center since 1971, wrote in a statement to The New York Times, "Today, the Washington National Opera announced its decision to seek an amicable early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit entity."
KENNEDY CENTER BLASTS ‘FAR-LEFT BIAS’ IN RATINGS COVERAGE, POINTS TO NO. 1 DEMOGRAPHICS TIE
The Trump-Kennedy Center’s vice president of PR, Roma Daravi, said on X that this was not a politically driven shakeup as much as the outcome of years of financial strain that began long before Trump’s return to office.
"The relationship with the WNO has presented ongoing financial challenges for well over a decade — through political appointee Board members from both sides of the aisle — the financial problems long predate the current leadership. When financial commitments are not met year over year, we have to make tough decisions for the financial health of the Trump Kennedy Center," she wrote.
"The institution remains steadfast in its commitment to the arts, including opera, while ensuring support for initiatives that are fiscally responsible and mission-driven. Given the longstanding financial strain, it has become necessary for us to part ways to protect the best interests of the Center."
"There are great operas across the U.S. and Asia who we couldn't contract with because of the exclusivity they (WNO) had. Our audiences will now have more options than ever to experience world-class opera at the Trump Kennedy Center," Daravi added in a statement to Fox News Digital.
GRAMMY WINNER ACCUSED OF CAVING TO 'WOKE MOB' AFTER KENNEDY CENTER CANCELLATION
Another spokesperson for the Trump-Kennedy Center told Fox News Digital, "After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with the WNO due to a financially challenging relationship. We believe this represents the best path forward for both organizations and enables us to make responsible choices that support the financial stability and long-term future of the Trump Kennedy Center."
In addition, a Washington National Opera board member wrote, "There were disagreements among the board on whether to disaffiliate or not. Some WNO Board members are resigning."
Keane warns Iranian regime to take Trump 'dead serious' on protest killing threat amid ongoing demonstrations
Fox News senior strategic analyst Jack Keane, a retired general, gave a grave assessment of the state of the Iranian regime amid its crackdown on anti-government protests and hinted at what could come next Friday on "Special Report."
"If I was in the Iranian regime, I would take President Trump dead serious here," Keane warned.
On Friday, President Donald Trump warned in a Truth Social post that the U.S. is "locked and loaded and ready to go" if the Iranian regime shoots and kills protesters.
His message comes as anti-regime demonstrations enter their second week and at least 44 protesters have been killed by Iranian security, according to the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
IRAN PROTESTS PROMPT NEW TRUMP WARNING OVER DEADLY GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWNS
Keane declared the Iranian regime is at its "weakest point" in 45 years with "no prospect of recovering."
Noting Trump’s warning under "no uncertain terms," Keane listed other key differences about the anti-regime protests that stood out to him from previous demonstrations in Iran.
"Politically, [the Iranian regime] can't meet the social and political and economic aspirations of the people. Economically, they're in the tank, to be sure, and with no prospect of recovering," Keane added.
IRANIAN MILITARY LEADER THREATENS PREEMPTIVE ATTACK AFTER TRUMP COMMENTS
"And, militarily, they just lost a war. They've lost their platform in Syria. Their proxies are, by and large, decapitated and almost eliminated, to be sure," he added. "The result of all of that is they are in a fundamentally weak position, and it's serious in terms of the regime."
The retired U.S. Army general connected his assessment of the Iranian regime to civilian protests.
"And when you have that, it also breeds discontent and breaks down trust and unity because people begin to fear about their own survival," he explained.
IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER BLAMES TRUMP FOR INCREASINGLY INTENSE DEMONSTRATIONS
When Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked Keane what he thought about the probability of "some kind of strike" from the U.S. or Israel in support of anti-regime protesters happening soon, he did not offer a definitive answer.
"I think I would take the president serious," he replied. "I have no insight into what they're thinking, but I'm listening to what they are saying. And he's dead serious."
Doubling down on his assertion, Keane appeared to refer to the U.S. military’s obliteration of Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites in 2025.
"Anybody at this point that doesn’t take President Trump serious when he’s saying something like this, given the last year, is certainly reckless and irresponsible," he stressed.