Driverless Waymo vehicle strikes child in California

An autonomous vehicle struck a student in Santa Monica last week, but the victim was not injured, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

The Santa Monica Police Department said in a statement to Fox News Digital, "On January 23, 2026, at approximately 8:31 a.m., Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to a traffic collision involving an autonomous vehicle and a student near 24th Street and Pearl Street, adjacent to Grant Elementary School."

"Preliminary information indicates the student entered the roadway outside the available crosswalk and away from the on duty crossing guard, and was involved in a low speed, non-injury collision with the vehicle," the statement continued.

UBER UNVEILS A NEW ROBOTAXI WITH NO DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL

"Santa Monica Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and evaluated the student. No injuries were reported, and the student’s parent was present. Officers conducted an on scene investigation, and the incident remains under review," the statement concluded.

Waymo, a company that falls under Alphabet's umbrella, issued a statement about the incident.

"Following the event, we voluntarily contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that same day. NHTSA has indicated to us that they intend to open an investigation into this incident, and we will cooperate fully with them throughout the process," the company noted in the statement.

PRIVATE AUTONOMOUS PODS COULD REDEFINE RIDE-SHARING

"The event occurred when the pedestrian suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into our vehicle's path. Our technology immediately detected the individual as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle. The Waymo Driver braked hard, reducing speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact was made," the company asserted.

Waymo suggested that the vehicle had slowed down faster than a human driver would have under such circumstances.

"To put this in perspective, our peer-reviewed model shows that a fully attentive human driver in this same situation would have made contact with the pedestrian at approximately 14 mph. This significant reduction in impact speed and severity is a demonstration of the material safety benefit of the Waymo Driver," the company declared.

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"Following contact, the pedestrian stood up immediately, walked to the sidewalk, and we called 911. The vehicle remained stopped, moved to the side of the road, and stayed there until law enforcement cleared the vehicle to leave the scene," Waymo noted.

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Minnesota Gov Walz, AG Ellison to testify in House investigation into alleged $9B welfare fraud

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced Wednesday that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison will testify under oath next month as part of a congressional investigation into a massive fraud scandal involving the state's welfare programs.

Walz and Ellison will testify at a hearing on "Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota: Part II" on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. EST, the committee says.

Walz, who said this week he is not running for political office again, has become the public face of the fraud scandal which exploded under his watch and could total as much as $9 billion of taxpayer funds, according to prosecutors. 

"Americans deserve answers about the rampant misuse of taxpayer dollars in Minnesota’s social services programs that occurred on Governor Walz’s and Attorney General Ellison’s watch. The House Oversight Committee recently heard sworn testimony from Minnesota state lawmakers who stated that Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison failed to act to stop this widespread fraud and retaliated against whistleblowers who raised concerns," Comer said in a press release. 

FROM CONGRESS, TO VP NOMINEE TO DISGRACED FORMER GOVERNOR: A LOOK AT THE RISE AND FALL OF TIM WALZ

"We look forward to questioning Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison under oath about this scandal to ensure transparency and accountability for the American people, and to advance solutions to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse and impose stronger penalties on those who defraud taxpayers."

The House Oversight Committee launched its investigation in December 2025 after federal prosecutors uncovered what lawmakers say is extensive fraud and money laundering across Minnesota’s social services system. According to the committee, criminals have stolen an estimated $9 billion in taxpayer funds intended to feed children, support autistic children, house low-income and disabled Americans, and provide healthcare to vulnerable Medicaid recipients.

As part of the probe, Comer has demanded documents and communications from Walz and Ellison related to the alleged fraud. He has also requested that the U.S. Department of the Treasury provide all relevant Suspicious Activity Reports, or SARs, and ordered transcribed interviews with current and former Minnesota state officials. Those interviews are scheduled to conclude in February.

SCATHING AUDIT REVEALS MORE FRAUD CONCERNS INSIDE TOP MINNESOTA AGENCY WITH FABRICATED DOCUMENTS, 'MISCONDUCT'

The investigation gained new momentum in January after the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor released a report finding that the Department of Human Services’ Behavioral Health Administration failed to comply with most requirements and lacked adequate internal controls to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

On Jan. 7, the Oversight Committee held the first hearing in the series, where Minnesota lawmakers testified about what they described as years of ignored warnings and systemic failures.

Ellison's role and alleged lack of oversight in the developing fraud scandal has raised questions as well, including over a 2021 audio recording of him meeting with members of the Somali community who would soon be convicted of defrauding millions of dollars in taxpayer money.

Fox News Digital reached out to Walz and Ellison's office for comment.

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7 Republicans join Dems to block major government funding package as shutdown looms

Senate Democrats stayed true to their threat by blocking a behemoth funding package, but in a surprising turn of events, they were joined by several Senate Republicans to derail the legislation.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus made it no secret that they would obstruct the government funding process over the last several days, demanding that Republicans strip the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill from the six-bill package. 

But the defection of seven GOP lawmakers – Sens. Ted Budd, R-N.C., Ron Johnson, R-Wis., Mike Lee, R- Utah, Ashley Moody, R-Fla., Rand Paul, R-Ky., Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. – was an unexpected development on Thursday. 

Senate Democrats are willing to support the five other bills in the package, however, and have reiterated that bundle would easily pass if given the chance. 

SENATE REPUBLICANS WEIGH DEM DEMAND TO SPLIT DHS BILL, TURN TO SHORT-TERM EXTENSION TO AVOID SHUTDOWN

"Democrats are ready to avert a shutdown," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"We have five bills we all agree on. About 95% of the remaining budget. It is ready to go," she continued. "We can pass those five bills, no problem. All Leader Thune has to do is tee them up for a vote."

But Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., sought to call their bluff and barreled forward with the key test vote, which would have opened up several hours of debate and eventually a final vote to send the package to President Donald Trump's desk.

Ahead of the vote, Thune said he hoped that conversations between the White House and Senate Democrats would produce the "the votes that are necessary to get it passed."

Thune threw cold water on Senate Democrats' several demands for reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) making their way into the current package, too. 

"That's not going to happen in this bill, but there are, I mean, there's a path to consider some of those things and negotiate that out between Republicans, Democrats, House, Senate, White House," Thune said. "But that's not gonna happen in this bill." 

With the six-bill package, which included major funding bills for the Pentagon and other agencies, now scuttled, Senate Republicans and the White House are looking for a plan B to keep the government open or to at least minimize the damage from a partial shutdown. 

SCHUMER ROLLS OUT LIST OF ICE DEMANDS AS WHITE HOUSE SAYS DEMS 'BLOCKED' DEAL-MAKING SESSION

One option gaining momentum among Republicans would be to strip the DHS funding bill from the broader package, advance the smaller, five-bill bundle and then turn to a short-term funding extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR), for just Homeland Security. 

And there are ongoing negotiations among Senate Democrats and the White House on that particular idea. 

A White House official told Fox News Digital in a statement, "President Trump has been consistent — he wants the government to remain open, and the Administration has been working with both parties to ensure the American people don’t have to endure another shutdown." 

"A shutdown would risk disaster response funding and more vital resources for the American people," the official said. 

But taking that route presents several hurdles and challenges, particularly with the House out until next week.

That’s because any modification to the current six-bill package would require the lower chamber to agree to it. The same is true for any CR that the Senate produces for DHS. 

SENATE REPUBLICANS TEE UP KEY SHUTDOWN TEST VOTE AS DEMOCRATS DIG IN ON DHS FUNDING

Schumer pinned the possibility of a shutdown on Thune, arguing that if he just put the five-bill package on the floor, Senate Democrats would support it. 

"Well, let me tell you first, if funding lapses, it's all because of Leader Thune," Schumer said. "It's on his back."

House Republicans have already signaled their unwillingness to support a modified funding package, and turning to a CR is a simmering taboo that many Republicans in the lower chamber aren’t likely to be happy with.

But it’s an option that could be gaining steam with Schumer and the White House, despite Trump administration officials blaming the top Senate Democrat for canning a meeting among rank-and-file Senate Democrats and the administration on Wednesday. 

Turning to a CR would be an about-face for Senate Democrats, too. Last week they argued that a short-term extension for DHS would amount to a "slush fund" for Trump and the administration to use in their immigration operations with no guardrails.

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BBC apologizes after ‘incorrectly worded’ Holocaust Memorial Day coverage intro blasted as ‘absolute disgrace’

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) apologized this week after it failed to mention "Jewish people" when introducing coverage of Holocaust Memorial Day.

International Holocaust Memorial Day is observed each year on Jan. 27 to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered. But the BBC angered viewers by kicking off its coverage by declaring it commemorates the "six million people murdered by the Nazi regime more than 80 years ago." 

Independent journalist David Collier, who focuses on "exposing antisemitism," blasted the British broadcaster.

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"This is an absolute disgrace," Collier wrote on X to accompany the audio of the news bulletin. "[BBC] completely erased the Jews from Holocaust Remembrance Day. Apparently ‘six million PEOPLE’ were murdered. ‘people?’ Were they just randomly chosen? Have they no shame at all?" 

The Times, a London-based newspaper, put a spotlight on other critics of the BBC’s omission, and noted that several anchors used the exact same language throughout the day. UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation co-chairman Lord Pickles told the Times that "this kind of obfuscation was common during the Soviet control of parts of Europe" and "for the BBC to use it today is shocking."

Holocaust Educational Trust Chief Executive Karen Pollock told the Times that "any attempt to dilute the Holocaust, strip it of its Jewish specificity or compare it to contemporary events is unacceptable." 

BBC APOLOGIZES FOR REPORTING UNPROVEN CLAIMS ABOUT ISRAEL CARRYING OUT 'SUMMARY EXECUTIONS' ON GAZA CIVILIANS

The BBC did mention that six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust during particular segments throughout the day, but the backlash from excluding from the scripted introduction prompted an apology. 

"In the news bulletins on ‘Today’ and in the introduction to the story on ‘BBC Breakfast’ there were references to Holocaust Memorial Day which were incorrectly worded, and for which we apologise. Both should have referred to ‘six million Jewish people’ and we will be issuing a correction on our website,’" a BBC spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

The BBC also posted the following note online: "During widespread coverage of Holocaust Memorial Day, there were some instances where we said ‘six million people’ or ‘six million mostly Jewish people’ had been murdered by the Nazi regime. These were incorrectly worded for which we apologise. They should have referred to ‘six million Jewish people’".

The Times also noted that the "failure to reference Jews in the introduction follows controversies over its coverage of antisemitism, Israel and the conflict in Gaza."

LEGAL ANALYST PREDICTS TRUMP COULD WIN 'CONSIDERABLE' DAMAGES FROM BBC DOCUMENTARY LAWSUIT

The BBC is regularly criticized for bias against Israel and has repeatedly apologized and issued retractions for coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. Last year, it came under fire for broadcasting a performance by British rap-pop duo Bob Vylan -- in which the singer chanted "Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]" 

The BBC also apologized last year when the United Kingdom’s media regulator found that BBC was in "serious breach" of its rules after it was revealed the son of a Hamas terrorist was featured in a documentary about the Israel-Gaza war. 

The Office of Communications (Ofcom), an independent agency overseen by the U.K.'s Parliament, released findings from its investigation into "Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone," concluding that the BBC's "failure" in disclosing that its narrator, 13-year-old Abdullah, was the son of a prominent Hamas official was "materially misleading."

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Trump aims to fast-track LA rebuild with executive order to bypass California red tape

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at boosting the rebuilding of property destroyed in the Los Angeles fires last year.

Trump criticized the slow rebuilding as a failure by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The Small Business Administration says less than 15% of all homes destroyed by the fires have received necessary approvals to rebuild.

"I want to see if we can take over the city and state and just give the people their permits they want to build," Trump told the California Post on Friday as he signed the order.

The order directs the heads of SBA and FEMA to issue regulations that override California and LA's permitting requirements to allow builders to self-certify that they are complying with health and safety standards.

DEMOCRAT-RUN LOS ANGELES FAILING WILDFIRE VICTIMS’ REBUILDING PLANS MONTHS AFTER TRUMP VISIT: GOP REP

"The wildfire recovery effort in California has been a national disgrace under the leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass," SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said earlier in January. "While the Trump Administration surged every imaginable resource to the state – including an unprecedented $3.2 billion in SBA loans – virtually zero survivors have been able to rebuild due to local permitting backlogs."

"Los Angeles will remain devastated as long as its state and local leaders continue to impose bureaucracy and stall recovery," she said.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE VICTIMS FACE UPHILL BATTLE AS CORPORATIONS AND INVESTORS SWOOP IN

Trump also shouted out Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin during the signing ceremony, hailing his earlier leadership in cleaning the wildfire areas of chemicals.

"Lee is so competent. I can’t imagine anybody could have done it better than him," Trump told the California Post.

Bass celebrated the first home rebuild in the Palisades Fire in November of last year, but the Trump administration pointed out that the home's demolition and construction permit had been approved before the wildfires took place.

As of early January, just seven structures had been constructed in LA County since the wildfires took place, according to the SBA.

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Patriots' Drake Maye called his own number to seal Super Bowl spot, teammate reveals

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye put the game on his shoulders on the team’s final drive of the AFC Championship against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

The Patriots needed to convert on third down to essentially end the game and secure their first Super Bowl appearance since Tom Brady was throwing passes and Bill Belichick was roaming the sideline. If the team got stopped, they would have had to punt the ball back to the Broncos and rely on the defense to stop Jarrett Stidham one more time.

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On 3rd-and-5, Maye took the snap and faked the handoff. He rolled back toward his left where he only had one guy to beat. Maye was able to just get around Broncos' linebacker Jonah Elliss to get the first down and seal the game.

While it seemed like a simple play-action call that Maye just executed on, Patriots offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury shared that no one had any idea it was coming. He told the Boston Herald that Maye didn’t share what he was going to do.

"I hit my block, and all the defenders started running the other way," Bradbury said. "I’m like, ‘What? Oh my God.' ... After the game, Drake’s like, ‘I debated telling you guys if I was gonna (keep) it or not. But I just decided not to.’"

DRAKE MAYE'S CONTROVERSIAL FOURTH-DOWN PLAY SPARKS SOCIAL MEDIA FURY AS PATRIOTS HEAD TO SUPER BOWL LX

The play underscored what Maye was able to do with his legs in the game as the snow hampered his passing ability in the second half against an already tough Broncos defense.

Maye scored the Patriots’ only touchdown in the game after a costly Broncos turnover. The rushing touchdown tied the game in the first half. In the second half, Patriots kicker Andy Borregales nailed a 23-yard field goal to give New England a three-point lead.

"What an atmosphere out here," he said after the game. "Battle of the elements. Love this team. How about the defense? I love each and every one of them."

The Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Anti-ICE law set to take effect in Maine as governor faces increased criticism for allowing it amid Senate run

As anti-ICE protests continue to erupt across the country, a new Maine law restricting cooperation between state law enforcement and federal immigration authorities is set to take effect after Democratic Gov. Janet Mills declined to veto or delay the measure, drawing renewed criticism over her progressive record as she runs for Senate.

The law, passed by Maine’s Democrat-controlled legislature late last year, will soon take effect after the current legislative session ends and bars state and local law enforcement from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a wide range of civil immigration matters. 

Even though the law has not officially taken effect, Mills, who declined to veto or sign the law, which will take effect without her signature, has already ordered Maine State Police to begin enforcing its provisions, according to a report from the Portland Press Herald.

The legislation passed the Maine legislature by just one vote last year.

ICE LAUNCHES NEW OPERATION IN MAINE AMID TRUMP'S BROADER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRACKDOWN AROUND THE US

Mills, who is running for Senate in the Democratic primary to unseat moderate Republican Sen. Susan Collins, has recently called ICE "secret police" and said their "reckless actions" have "no place here."

As ICE ramps up activity in Maine, including over 50 arrests in one day last week, Republicans in the state have pushed back against the ICE rhetoric coming from Mills.

"Let me be very clear: ICE agents are federal law enforcement officers," Assistant House Republican Leader Katrina Smith said last week. "They take an oath. They operate under federal authority. And they show up to work knowing that rhetoric alone can make them a target. You can oppose immigration policy without turning the people enforcing the law into enemies."

Mills released a statement on Saturday, shortly after federal immigration agents shot and killed an armed man in Minneapolis, demanding a meeting with President Trump and for him to remove ICE from Maine.

The immigration law is the latest in a series of high-profile decisions that critics say underscore Mills’ liberal record as Maine prepares for her State of the State address later this month.

Since taking office, Mills has expanded eligibility for MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, to include non-citizens regardless of immigration status. The policy allows taxpayer-funded health care for non-citizen children and pregnant individuals, a move Republicans say has driven up costs for working Mainers. State records show Maine has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on health care for individual illegal immigrants in recent years.

DEM GOVERNOR DROPS F-BOMB WHEN TROLLED FOR ALLEGED COCAINE USE

MaineWire reported last month on a photo from a Maine city bus advertising how MaineCare is now being offered to "pregnant people and children under 21, with or without proof of citizenship" which prompted criticism of Mills from the National Republican Senatorial Committee. 

Mills has also repeatedly clashed with Trump, most notably over transgender policies. Last year, she publicly confronted the president over federal funding threats tied to allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports, vowing to sue the administration if funding was withheld.

Her administration has signed and defended a slate of laws expanding access to gender-affirming care, including protections for minors to receive certain treatments even if parents object, mandates requiring insurance coverage for such care, and measures shielding providers from out-of-state legal action.

On abortion, Mills has signed legislation expanding who can perform abortions, removed criminal penalties tied to reproductive care, and strengthened protections for providers and patients traveling to Maine from other states.

Ultimately, the NRSC told Fox News Digital it believes Mills is more focused on a "progressive agenda" than she is on results for the state. 

"Janet Mills has spent her time as Governor expanding transgender rights, offering taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal aliens, and combating the Trump administration every chance she gets," NRSC Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell told Fox News Digital. 

"Mainers deserve a Senator who is focused on delivering real results, not Janet Mills who is more concerned with pushing her progressive agenda on Maine."

Fox News Digital reached out to Mills’ campaign for comment.

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DHS says illegal immigrant sought amid Pretti shooting had violent domestic history

The illegal immigrant being sought during the operation that resulted in the death of a 37-year-old U.S. citizen had a violent rap sheet that included domestic assault involving intentional bodily harm, according to federal officials.

Jose Huerta-Chuma ultimately escaped capture during the chaos, Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino told reporters Sunday, as he condemned characterizations of his agents as "Gestapo" — referencing the Nazi Geheime Staatspolizei — in the media and in public discourse.

Huerta-Chuma, reportedly an Ecuadorian national, also had other convictions, including driving without a valid license and disorderly conduct, when agents attempted to take him into custody at a Minneapolis donut shop.

TRUMP CONFIRMS FEDERAL REVIEW OF MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING THAT KILLED NURSE: 'REVIEWING EVERYTHING'

"This individual walks the streets today because of those choices made by politicians and those, perhaps, weaker-minded constituents that chose to follow directions of those politicians," Bovino said.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) later criticized Bovino in a statement, claiming "federal statements have repeatedly included inaccurate information about Minnesota custody and criminal records."

"The DOC reviewed available records to determine whether [Huerta-Chuma] had any connection to Minnesota state prison custody," the department said in a statement.

ICE SAYS VIOLENT MOB HELPED CRIMINAL ESCAPE AND LEFT ICE AGENT PERMANENTLY MAIMED

The Minnesota DOC went on to say Huerta-Chuma had "never been" in state prison custody and that his state court records did not show any "felony commitments."

The agency said Huerta-Chuma’s name matched misdemeanor traffic offenses and said he had been in federal custody in a local Minnesota jail in 2018.

"Any decisions regarding release from federal custody at that time would have been made by federal authorities. DOC has no information explaining why this individual was released," the agency said, while also claiming it works with ICE to facilitate custody transfers in conflict with public statements by federal officials.

FREY, KLOBUCHAR CALL FOR ICE TO LEAVE MINNEAPOLIS FOLLOWING DEADLY CBP SHOOTING IN CITY

During the ultimately unsuccessful capture of Huerta-Chuma, Pretti approached agents in the midst of their mission while armed with a 9 mm handgun and was killed when agents later fired "defensive shots," according to Bovino.

In the aftermath of Pretti’s death, further chaos erupted, and a federal agent was critically injured when an agitator bit off the end of his finger, according to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, said a "log of evidence" is being created for potential future prosecutions of agents involved in the situation.

In response to the Minnesota DOC's accounting of Huerta-Chuma's record, a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that his criminal history indeed includes the crimes mentioned by Bovino and others.

"On January 24, in Minneapolis Border Patrol were obstructed by agitators as they tried to arrest Jose Huerta-Chuma, whose criminal history includes domestic assault to intentionally inflict bodily harm, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license," the spokesperson said.

"This criminal illegal alien remains at large. We are calling on the public to report any sighting of this violent criminal illegal alien to 866-DHS-2-ICE."

Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for comment on the Minnesota DOC’s statements.

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Hollywood legend Tippi Hedren, 96, makes rare appearance for birthday celebration with family

Tippi Hedren was seen recently outside daughter Melanie Griffith's house, marking a rare sighting of the legendary Hollywood actress.

Hedren was photographed arriving at her 96th birthday celebration at Griffith's Los Angeles home, being helped up the stairs outside the residence.

Upon arrival, she wore a floral blazer over a purple shirt, but changed into a patterned sweater on the way out, when she could be seen being led down a set of stairs by a man, assumed to be her grandson, Alexander Bauer.

The rare sighting comes two years after reports surfaced that the "Roar" actress was reportedly diagnosed with dementia. She was previously seen in a birthday post shared by Griffith on Instagram in January 2025, and Griffith's own birthday party in August.

DAKOTA JOHNSON DEFENDS WEARING SHEER GOWNS AND DARING OUTFITS ON THE RED CARPET

According to the Daily Mail, Spanish journalist Gustavo Egusquiza discovered Hedren's diagnosis after he reached out for an interview and her representatives told him that wouldn't be possible.

"She has dementia, and is unable to remember her career at all," Egusquiza was reportedly told. "She just turned 94, so unfortunately, time has taken its toll."

Hedren had her big break in the business when Alfred Hitchcock cast her in his 1963 horror classic "The Birds," which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for most promising newcomer.

She went on to collaborate with the famed director again for the 1964 movie, "Marnie," but famously had a strained relationship with him. During an interview with Fox News in January 2017, Hedren said he quickly placed her under contract after discovering her, and threatened to ruin her career when she wanted out of it.

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"He said, 'I’ll ruin your career.' And he did," she said. "He kept me under contract and wouldn’t let me work. It was just one of those Hollywood nightmares … It was just so unnecessary. That’s what was so awful about this. It was just … just a sad situation. Just sad. But anyway — life goes on!"

Despite her struggles with Hitchcock, Hedren went on to have a successful acting career, starring in movies such as "A Countess from Hong Kong," "Foxfire" and "Pacific Heights," and even started her own acting dynasty.

Her daughter began acting as a young age, with her first major role being in the 1975 movie "Night Moves" at 17 years old, later starring in "Something Wild" and "Working Girl," which earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win.

Hedren's granddaughter, Dakota Johnson, the daughter of Griffith and her ex-husband, actor Don Johnson, also entered the family business. She made a name for herself starring as Anastasia Steele in the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy, and most recently starred in "Materialists."

When it comes to giving her daughter and granddaughter advice on how to navigate the industry, Hedren said, "I never have done that with Melanie or Dakota."

"I prefer to watch them and see their careers grow instead," she said. "Dakota is an incredibly wonderful woman and I adore her. We always have a wonderful time together. But as far as giving any tips or sitting them down and becoming the teacher — I don’t do that."

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Senate Democrats rebel against their own leadership over DHS funding package, increasing shutdown odds

Senate Democrats are beginning to peel off from their leadership, upping the ante for another government shutdown.

Disputes over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, fewer restrictions on President Donald Trump’s authority and a possible headache with a previous, controversial provision could set the stage for another government shutdown.

Senate Republican and Democratic leaders don’t want to idly fall into another government shutdown, given that Congress just exited the longest closure in history a few short months ago. They have differing reasons, but for now, Republicans and Democrats agreed that the best option was to fund the government.

HOUSE JAMS SENATE BY ATTACHING REPEAL OF JACK SMITH PROVISION TO $1.2T FUNDING PACKAGE

While the powers that be may have a momentary truce, it’s rank-and-file members who could drive Washington, D.C. to the edge of another shutdown.

Many of the issues lie within the DHS funding bill, which Democratic negotiators argued included several wins in their quest to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). That bill passed through the House Thursday, with tepid support from House Democrats.

Only seven broke from their colleagues, a sign that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his leadership team will have their work cut out for them in the upcoming week. And now, they’ll have to wrangle Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who on Friday announced in a statement that he would not back the broader package.

Kaine wanted to see a much broader swath of constraints baked into the behemoth funding package, including safeguards against Trump’s war powers, the firing of federal workers, and DHS and ICE retribution against his home state.

SENATE ADVANCES $174B PACKAGE AS MINNESOTA ICE SHOOTING FUELS DHS FUNDING FIGHT

"We are not living in normal times," Kaine said. "The president is acting chaotically and unlawfully, and we shouldn’t give his deranged decisions the imprimatur of congressional approval by passing this legislation without significant amendment."

Kaine’s defection is particularly notable, given that he was one of a handful of Senate Democrats who crossed the aisle to reopen the government last year.

A source familiar told Fox News Digital that there were up to 10 Senate Democrats who might not vote for the package or any funding bills from Republicans in general. That complicates the math needed to reach 60 votes.

Then there is Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who is a member of Schumer's leadership team and the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, who said he won’t support the DHS bill, arguing that it does not go far enough to restrict DHS Secretary Kristi Noem or Trump.

Murphy, who was involved in negotiations for the bill, said in a statement that he understood that his colleague "had a hard job — no new budget for DHS is going to cure all the rampant illegality happening within the department."

CONGRESS UNVEILS $1.2T SPENDING BILL AS PROGRESSIVE REVOLT BREWS OVER ICE FUNDING

"Democrats have no obligation to support a bill that not only funds the dystopian scenes we are seeing in Minneapolis but will allow DHS to replicate that playbook of brutality in cities all over this country," Murphy said.

Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Katie Britt, R-Ala., told Fox News Digital in a statement that "importantly, this bill contains no Democrat poison pills."

"I’m hopeful my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will do what’s right and not further politicize this process," Britt said.

Still, leaders on both sides are hopeful that the weight of the broader package, which will include defense funding, is enough to keep lawmakers in line and avoid a shutdown.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who is the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, argued that while the package was not exactly what she and Democrats had hoped for, it was good enough to support.

That’s because she and congressional Democrats were able to bake in their own restrictions on funding that would not be adhered to if Congress again has to turn to another short-term funding bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR).

"While there’s a whole lot more I wish these bills would have addressed, these compromise bills protect critical investments in the American people, reject truly heartless cuts that would have undone decades of progress —and they are a significantly better outcome than another year-long CR," Murray said. "I look forward to ensuring they get signed into law."

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House jams Senate by attaching repeal of Jack Smith provision to $1.2T funding package

The House of Representatives is moving to jam the Senate by attaching a repeal of the upper chamber's Arctic Frost repayment measure to a funding bill that's key to averting a partial government shutdown.

A Senate GOP-led measure allowing Republicans in the upper chamber to sue the federal government for up to $500,000 if their phone records were seized by ex-Special Counsel Jack Smith is still causing heartburn in the House.

House lawmakers voted unanimously Thursday to roll back that measure, as an amendment to a $1.2 trillion federal funding package that's expected to get a vote later in the day.

If the funding package is passed, the Senate will be forced to consider the repeal along with the larger spending bill or else amend it and risk running the clock down on Congress' Jan. 30 government shutdown deadline.

ICE FUNDING BILL DRAWS FIRE FROM LEFT AND RIGHT AS SHUTDOWN DEADLINE NEARS

The Senate GOP-led measure was included as part of a wider government funding package that ended the longest-ever shutdown in U.S. history last November. 

Its inclusion caught many House Republicans by surprise, angering them for its use of taxpayer dollars to benefit a relatively small contingent of lawmakers.

A House vote on repealing the measure late last year similarly passed via a unanimous vote but was never taken up in the Senate.

DHS FUNDING HEADS TO HOUSE VOTE AFTER JOHNSON QUELLS GOP REVOLT OVER ETHANOL

"The leadership was worried about them rejecting it, but let them own it if they want to object to it," Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who called the measure "ridiculous," told Fox News Digital on Thursday.

It will now be part of the overall funding package sent to the Senate, which provides dollars to keep the Department of War, Department of Education, Health and Human Services Department, and Department of Homeland Security, among others, running for the remainder of the fiscal year. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., with a green-light from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., added the tweak to the previous year's spending deal during bipartisan talks to end the 43-day government shutdown.

Since then, congressional Republicans and Democrats alike have banded together to nix the provision, dubbed "Requiring Senate Notification for Senate Data."

CONGRESS UNVEILS $1.2T SPENDING BILL AS PROGRESSIVE REVOLT BREWS OVER ICE FUNDING

It would explicitly allow only senators directly targeted in Smith's Arctic Frost investigation to sue the U.S. government for up to $500,000.

Thune at the time reasoned that members were effectively "spied on" by the DOJ, and that the very act itself "demands some accountability." 

"I think that in the end, this is something that all members of Congress, both House and Senate, are probably going to want as a protection, and we were thinking about the institution of the Senate and individual senators going into the future," Thune said.

SENATORS RAIL AGAINST 'CASH GRAB' SPENDING BILL PROVISION AS HOUSE PREPS REPEAL VOTE

Still, that has not stopped lawmakers in the upper chamber from trying to nuke the law. Several attempts have been made over the last few months to gut it on the Senate floor, and each has been blocked by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the strongest proponent of the provision. 

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., tried once again to get rid of the Arctic Frost law last week before the Senate left Washington, D.C., for a weeklong break. 

"That policy is simply wrong," Peters said on the Senate floor. "And it goes against everything that we're supposed to be doing as elected representatives to make life better for the people who live in our states and in the country."

But, his attempt was once again blocked by Graham, who contended that his rights when he was not notified that his records, along with seven other senators, had been violated as part of the probe. 

"If you cannot hold your government accountable for violating your rights or potentially violating your rights, you have a very dangerous government," Graham said on the Senate floor. "I am no better than anybody else, but I'm certainly as hell no worse than anybody else."

The repeal provision's inclusion in Thursday's government funding bill caught many by surprise. It had not been part of the legislation when it advanced out of the House Rules Committee, and was only offered by Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., on the House floor shortly before voting began on a procedural hurdle called a "rule vote."

It will be sent to the Senate along with the wider funding package if it's passed by the House on Thursday afternoon.

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DAVID MARCUS: New York Dems pull dirty districting trick as 'aw shucks' Indiana GOP folds

New York City has only one Republican member of Congress, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who represents Staten Island, the city's only red borough, and parts of South Brooklyn that are purple. An absurd and obviously partisan judicial ruling on Wednesday has put the seat at risk.

This isn’t just political hardball, it's a fastball to the face. But too many Republicans are too "principled," or too scared, to retaliate.

State Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Pearlman, who was not only appointed by far-left Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, but once served as her chief of staff, found that the district map, which was signed into law in 2024 by Hochul herself, is suddenly unconstitutional.

Incredibly, Hochul agrees that she and the New York Democrats themselves signed into law an unconstitutional district just over a year ago, and her state government has refused to defend its own map in court.

TRUMP FORCES INDIANA GOP INTO REDISTRICTING REVERSAL IN RACE TO DRAW NEW MAGA MAP

The judge said there was strong evidence of a "racially polarized voting bloc," as well as "a history of discrimination that impacts current day political participation and representation," and "that racial appeals are still made in political campaigns today."

Having lived from 2013 to 2023 in the district, I can tell you this argument is a bag of nonsense, set on fire, and left on the doorstep of sanity. It does not remotely represent the reality on the ground, where there are no smoldering racial tensions.

The judge also finds, ludicrously, that residential Staten Island has more in common with the skyscraper-strewn Financial District of Lower Manhattan than the Brooklyn of homes and churches it is literally connected to by the Verrazano Bridge.

REPUBLICANS PUSH BACK OVER 'FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM' IN BLOCKBUSTER REDISTRICTING FIGHT

In reality, deceitful Democrats want to swap right-leaning White voters in Bay Ridge with left-leaning White voters in the ritzy FiDi.

This is as blatant as partisan gerrymandering gets, and in corrupt New York state, that is saying a lot.

Democrats will argue that they are just responding to redistricting efforts by the GOP, but the Texas Republicans only started engaging in what the Democrats have done forever.

FEDERAL JUDGE SCORCHES DEMS FOR PANDERING TO LATINOS WITH CALIFORNIA MAP IN FIERY DISSENT

That’s why there are no GOP seats in all of New England composed of states where 45% voted for Trump. Likewise, Illinois, New Mexico and others have nearly no GOP districts.

The response by states like Texas has prompted the Democrats to see if they have left anything on the table anywhere, hence this New York duplicity along with similar plans in Virginia.

The problem for Republican voters, who would love a fair shake, is that states like Indiana still won’t respond. As usual, Dems are united and playing fast-break basketball, while the GOP is taking the "high road" and playing as the Washington Generals.

REAGAN-APPOINTED JUDGE TORCHES COLLEAGUES IN TEXAS MAP FIGHT: CALLS RULING ‘FICTION,’ ‘JUDICIAL ACTIVISM’

We see this as well with the blue slips in the Senate needed for judicial confirmations. Democrats abuse it and now Trump has filled only 15 out of over 90 US attorney seats. He can’t get anyone confirmed if Democrats can block it.

It’s the same with the filibuster and government shutdowns. They left plays smash mouth and the GOP just gets played.

Vice President JD Vance has been leading the charge to stiffen the spine of the soft GOP of yesteryear. He called out Indiana state Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, and he wasn’t subtle.

MIKE DAVIS: SCOTUS MUST SAVE TEXAS FROM MEDDLING LIBERAL JUDGES

"I’d like to thank (Bray) for not even trying to fight back against this extraordinary Democrat abuse of power. Now the votes of Indiana Republicans will matter far less than the votes of Virginia Democrats. We told you it would happen, and you did nothing," Vance wrote on X following Virginia's plan to erase GOP seats.

Where is the lie in this?

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What do Indiana Republicans think the "aw shucks, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" routine is going to achieve? That they can hold their heads up high for two years as a Democrat-controlled House impeaches President Donald Trump two or three more times?

TRUMP RIPS INDIANA GOP LEADER OVER REDISTRICTING FIGHT, WARNS REPUBLICANS COULD FACE ‘MAGA PRIMARY’

From the very first time quill met cartography to carve out a Congressional district in the 1780s, the practice has been fraught with politics. It always will be.

But just because Democrats spent recent decades as the side abusing the system the most doesn’t mean Republicans must resign themselves to that stilted status quo.

If sanity prevails in the Empire State, admittedly a big ask, then a federal judge will squash Pearlman’s partisan, and frankly absurd, ruling, keeping the district intact.

Whether Malliotakis’ district survives as is or not, and don’t count her out either way, Republicans need to fight back with all guns blazing, not with one Hoosier hand tied behind its back.

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Murder rate drops to lowest level since 1900 across major US cities nationwide

Murders across the U.S. dropped last year to a historic low, according to researchers, marking a dramatic turnaround after violent crime surged in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and as left-wing leaders espoused ideas like defunding their police departments and releasing repeat offenders without bail.

The Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) report weighed crime statistics from 40 cities that have reported monthly data for the past eight years. It found 11 of 13 crime categories dropped in 2025 compared to 2024. Nine of them dropped by 10% or more, including homicides, which saw a 21% drop.

"President Trump promised to bring back Law and Order to the United States of America," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X Thursday morning, along with a chart from the Council on Criminal Justice showing the country saw its lowest homicide rate since 1900. "This is what happens when you have a President who fully mobilizes federal law enforcement to arrest violent criminals and the worst of the worst illegal aliens."

Trump had campaigned heavily on reining in crime, especially migrant crime, and crime in the nation's capital dropped notably last year after the president took a hands-on role. He later ordered federal involvement in other cities.

TRUMP DECLARES VICTORY IN DEM-RUN CITY DESPITE ‘EXTRAORDINARY RESISTANCE’ FROM SANCTUARY POLITICIANS

Of 35 cities covered by the CCJ report, Denver saw the largest decline in homicides at 41%. Washington, D.C., and Omaha tied for second at 40%. Los Angeles, Buffalo, Albuquerque, Long Beach, Atlanta, Baltimore and Chicago all saw declines of more than 30%.

Three of the 35 cities did see an increase in homicides — 16% in Little Rock, 2% in Fort Worth and 1% in Milwaukee.

Violent crime as a whole fell to its lowest levels since 2019, according to the report. Car thefts fell by 27%. Burglary and shoplifting each dropped by double digits. 

According to similar data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association Violent Crime Survey, which referenced 67 of the largest police agencies throughout the U.S., the year concluded with an approximate 20% decrease in homicides nationwide. 

The FBI's countrywide statistics for 2025 have not yet been released but are expected to show similar results.

The numbers mark the fourth straight year in which homicide numbers declined throughout the U.S., with offenses decreasing by roughly 15% in 2024 – the largest drop on record at the time – according to data compiled by the FBI.

FBI VIOLENT CRIME ARRESTS DOUBLE IN TRUMP'S FIRST YEAR COMPARED TO BIDEN RECORD: 'MASSIVE STRIDES'

In 2023, law enforcement agencies saw a 13% decline in murders nationwide, after a decrease of 6% in 2022, according to the FBI.  

But homicides surged by 30% around the start of the pandemic before peaking in 2021, according to the data. In 2025, they didn't just fall compared to 2024, they also were 25% lower than in 2019, CCJ researchers noted.

"Finally in 2023, we came over that hump, and we started to see that decline in violent crimes which continued in 2024, and now we're starting to see that momentum pick up and continue, as we've seen the numbers come in for 2025," Josh Schirard, who spent 20 years as a police officer before becoming director of Bryna Law Enforcement, told Fox News Digital.

FBI SOLVES COLONIAL PARKWAY MURDERS THANKS TO NEW TECHNOLOGY, BUREAU SAYS

The numbers come as some of the nation’s largest cities boasted record lows in homicides throughout last year. 

Earlier this month, the New York Police Department (NYPD) announced the Big Apple saw its safest year for gun violence in 2025, with the lowest number of shootings in the city’s recorded history.

"These historic reductions in crime did not happen by chance or accident — they are the direct product of a deliberate, data-driven strategy achieving unprecedented public safety milestones for New York City," NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said in a statement. 

New York City also saw a reduction in overall crime, including 1,600 fewer robberies than in 2024 and a 14% decline in retail theft, according to the NYPD.

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Homicides in Philadelphia were also the lowest in 60 years, according to the city’s police department. Data indicates the city saw a total of 220 murders in 2025, the lowest since 1966. Chicago officials touted a 30% decrease in homicides compared to 2024.

"We can't discount the fact that we've seen more community involvement in the last years than we've seen in a long time," Schirard said. "And once again, going back to those principles of policing that were written back in the 1800s, you know, one of the big ones that was written back then was that the police are the public and the public are the police."

But some cities are still struggling to combat rising violence, said Justin Keener, the president of Americans for Public Safety.

"The only cities to see rises in gun assault rates since 2019 are Chicago, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and San Francisco," he told Fox News Digital.

He praised law enforcement around the country and credited the Trump administration for turning things around while urging city leaders to continue monitoring crime statistics and adjust their priorities appropriately.

"Data shows that crime, particularly violent crime, is perpetrated by a very small percentage of individuals in each jurisdiction," he said. "Cities like Dallas and Baltimore have shown that focusing on high-risk offenders and supporting police can have a drastic impact on violent crime."

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Washington Dem pushes bill to bar recent ICE hires from future police jobs, slamming Trump's 'occupying force'

A Democratic lawmaker in Washington state introduced a bill this week called the ICE Out Act of 2026, which would prohibit state law enforcement agencies from hiring anyone that has taken a job as a sworn U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. 

The legislation was introduced by state Rep. Tarra Simmons, who served time for three felony convictions for possession of controlled substances and retail theft in 2011 before having her criminal record cleared. 

"In this Washington, we have worked incredibly hard to build trust between law enforcement and community," Simmons said in a press release. "In most Washington agencies, the men and women who step up to serve have developed a culture of holding each other accountable to the highest professional standards. The last thing we need is infiltration of ICE agents trained during the Trump Administration to send us backwards." 

"Law enforcement recruitment is paramount, we need more officers," she added. "However, we expect those officers to earn the trust and respect of the communities they live in, not act as an occupying force. This bill is designed to prevent those sorts of dangerous tactics from becoming part of the culture of policing in Washington state."

DEM SENATOR WARNER ADMITS BIDEN 'SCREWED UP' THE BORDER, BUT CLAIMS ICE NOW TARGETING NON-CRIMINALS

Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and the White House for a response to the bill but did not immediately hear back.

KTTH radio host Jason Rantz slammed Simmons’s bill on X. 

"This shows the stunning hypocrisy of Democrats. Simmons is a convicted felon who has repeatedly pushed to force people to hire felons or offer them housing. She openly advocates for hardened criminals. Yet when it comes to law enforcement — hardworking Americans who don’t break the law — they should be shamed and discriminated against? It’s absolutely shameful," he told Fox News Digital in a statement Thursday.

A campaign website for Simmons, who was re-elected in 2024, describes her as "a lawyer, a civil rights activist, and a national leader in the fight for criminal justice reform."

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT APPEARS TO CALL TO DEFUND ICE, RESTART IT FROM SCRATCH

"After her incarceration, she experienced firsthand the challenges of re-entry — economic insecurity, housing affordability, and lack of access to healthcare, education, and job skills training," it said. 

"Tarra is also a co-founder and consultant for several nonprofits that serve formerly incarcerated people with direct reentry supports, develop leadership capacity and build political power," the website added. 

Simmons' office said HB 2641 "prohibits all Washington state law enforcement agencies from hiring anyone who was hired as a sworn officer of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on or after January 20, 2025." 

If passed, it would go into effect on Oct. 1.

"Headlines, citizen-captured video, and stories from community-members have documented the inhumane and violent tactics ICE agents use to carry out a sinister dragnet operation," Simmons' press release added. "Agents have been seen breaking the windows of people’s vehicles, snatching individuals off our streets and out of our communities, accessing state data to track people down, detaining undocumented folks, student visa holders, legal green-card residents and U.S. citizens alike without cause, and even shooting and killing legal observers in broad daylight." 

Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report. 

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'Are You Dead?' app taps into global loneliness crisis

A new mobile app from China is going viral for a reason that feels both unsettling and familiar. It exists to answer one basic question for people who live alone: Are you still alive? The app is called "Are You Dead?" and it has surged to the top of China's paid app charts. It also climbed into the top ten paid apps in the United States. Its popularity reflects more than curiosity. It highlights how many people now live by themselves and worry about what happens if something goes wrong.

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The app's design is intentionally simple. After paying about $1.15, users add an emergency contact and agree to check in every two days.

Here is how it works in practice:

That is it. No tracking. No health data. No constant monitoring. The goal is reassurance, not surveillance. On its English-language page, the app goes by the name Demumu. The developers describe it as a "lightweight safety tool" meant to make solitary life feel less risky. For now, the app is available only on Apple's App Store for iPhone and iPad.

The app debuted quietly in May. Then it took off. It is now the top-paid app on China's Apple App Store and ranks sixth among paid apps in the U.S. The surge reflects a major social shift. More people in China live alone than ever before. One-child policies, rapid urbanization and work that pulls people far from their families all play a role. By 2030, China is projected to have around 200 million one-person households. At that scale, a simple safety check turns from a niche idea into a mass-market tool.

For many users, the app is not a joke. It is a safety net. One 38-year-old user told reporters he lives far from his family and worries about dying alone in a rented apartment. He set his mother as his emergency contact so someone would know if something happened to him. Others echoed a similar sentiment online. People living alone, introverts, unemployed workers and those dealing with depression said the app offers peace of mind without requiring constant interaction. Some users even reportedly framed it as a practical courtesy to loved ones rather than a morbid tool.

HOW TO HELP OLDER RELATIVES WITH TECH OVER THE HOLIDAYS

Not everyone is comfortable with the app's blunt branding. Some users say the name is too dark and turns people away. Several suggested a simple fix: rename it "Are You Alive?" One commenter argued that death in this context is not only literal but social. A softer name might signal care rather than fear. Some users said they would gladly pay for the app if it sounded less grim. The developers appear to be listening.

The app is built by a small Gen Z team at Moonscape Technologies. In public statements, the company said it plans to refine the product based on feedback.

Planned updates include:

Those changes matter in a country where about one in five people is now over age 60.

The app's success abroad suggests the issue is global. In the U.S., living alone is becoming the norm rather than the exception. According to recent census data, 27.6% of U.S. households had just one person in 2020. That figure was under 8% in 1940. Loneliness trends among younger men are especially striking. A Gallup poll found that about one in four Gen Z and millennial men in the U.S. report feeling lonely. That rate is higher than in peer countries like France, Canada, Ireland and Spain. Against that backdrop, an app that asks people to check in feels less extreme and more revealing.

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"Are You Dead?" succeeds because it addresses a fear many people rarely say out loud. As more people live alone, the worry is not only about loneliness but also about invisibility. A simple tap every two days becomes a quiet signal that someone still knows you are here. The app may evolve, change its name or add features. The problem it highlights is not going away.

If an app has to ask whether you are alive, what does that say about how disconnected modern life has become? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Indiana judge shooting came out of nowhere as police hunt mystery suspect, cops say

The Indiana judge who was shot at his home by an unknown suspect earlier this week did not have any recorded instances of threats against him, according to local officials. 

Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly Meyer, were injured after an unknown individual knocked on the front door of their Lafayette home around 2:15 p.m. Sunday and told them, "We have your dog," before shooting through the door, according to dispatch audio obtained by Fox News Digital. 

The incident marked the first recorded act of violence against the judge, according to the Lafayette Police Department. Officials had no records of previous threats against Meyer or 911 calls from the judge’s Mill Pond Lane address, a department spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital. 

Steven Meyer was shot in the arm and Kimberly Meyer was shot in the hip, authorities said. The couple was taken to a hospital after the shooting.

INDIANA JUDGE IN BIZARRE NATALIA GRACE CASE SHOT IN HOME ATTACK AS POLICE HUNT SUSPECT

While the number of shots fired remains unclear, police reportedly recovered shell casings at the scene. 

As of Monday, Steven Meyer remained in the hospital in stable condition, according to a written statement from his colleagues. 

Steven Meyer, a Democrat, has served as a Tippecanoe Superior Court judge for 12 years and recently announced he would not seek reelection for a third term in the upcoming November 2026 elections, according to The Exponent. 

The judge previously made national headlines in 2022 while presiding over the trials of then-married couple Michael and Kristine Barnett, the adoptive parents of Natalia Grace. 

SUSPECTED GUNMAN UTTERED 4 WORDS BEFORE SHOOTING INDIANA JUDGE AND WIFE: DISPATCH AUDIO

Grace, a Ukrainian orphan with dwarfism, was accused of masquerading as a child by the Barnetts after she was adopted at 6 years old by their family in April 2010. 

The Barnetts successfully petitioned a Marion County court to change Grace's birth year from 2003 to 1989, effectively making her legally 22 years old.

Following several years of accusations of abuse from both the Barnetts and Grace, the couple moved her into an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, before fleeing to Canada with their three biological sons, according to Investigation Discovery’s documentary, "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks." Shortly after moving in, a neighbor noticed Grace struggled with feeding herself and completing basic household chores.  

In September 2019, the Barnetts were charged with multiple counts of neglecting a dependent, due to Grace's disability.

During Michael Barnett’s trial, Judge Meyer ordered that Grace could only be referred to as an adult, pointing to the court’s previous ruling regarding her birth year, according to The Exponent. Judge Meyer also reportedly issued a gag order on all parties after the couple went on "Good Morning America" in 2019. 

UKRAINIAN ORPHAN NATALIA GRACE DENIES PLOT TO MURDER AMERICAN ADOPTIVE PARENTS, PRETENDING TO BE CHILD

Michael Barnett was found not guilty by a jury in 2022, while Kristine Barnett’s charges were dismissed by Judge Meyer in 2023.

Grace has not been named as a suspect in the Meyers’ shooting, and has not been charged with a crime. 

In a statement penned by Chief Justice Loretta Rush, Rush expressed concern for all judges within the community and urged public officials to remain vigilant as the shooter remains at large. 

"I worry about the safety of all our judges," Rush wrote. "As you work to peacefully resolve more than 1 million cases a year, you must not only feel safe, you must also be safe. Any violence against a judge or a judge's family is completely unacceptable. As public servants, you are dedicated to the rule of law." 

JUDGE AND WIFE SHOT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT IN INDIANA, SPARKING MASSIVE MULTI-AGENCY INVESTIGATION

Additionally, Kimberly Meyer spoke out through police to thank local officials for their involvement in the case. 

"I have great confidence in the Lafayette Police Department’s investigation and want to thank all the agencies involved for their work," she said, in part. "We are also incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from the community; everyone has been so kind and compassionate."

Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski also condemned the shooting, calling it a "senseless, unacceptable act of violence," while vowing to continue providing resources for the investigation. 

No arrests have been made and officials have not released a description of a suspect. 

Multiple agencies, including the Lafayette Police Department, Indiana State Police, the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, the West Lafayette Police Department, the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office and the FBI, are involved in the case. 

The Lafayette Police Department declined Fox News’ request for comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

Authorities urged anyone with information to contact the Lafayette Police Department at 765-807-1200.

Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace, Greg Wehner and Adam Sabes contributed to this report. 

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Noem says 'arrests coming' after anti-ICE mob targeted Minnesota church

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared that arrests are coming after an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) mob targeted a church in Minnesota over the weekend. 

In a post on X, Noem said the individuals were "emboldened by the reckless rhetoric from Minnesota's sanctuary politicians and the media," and that, "The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly – not rioting." 

"Arrests coming," she wrote, sharing a clip of a Newsmax appearance Tuesday during which Noem said the arrests would be happening "in the next several hours." 

"This administration is committed to upholding federal law and defending the rights of all Americans. These agitators will be held accountable," she also wrote.

FBI DIRECTOR PATEL WARNS ELECTED OFFICIALS ‘NO ONE’ IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL SCRUTINY AMID MINNESOTA PROBE

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Video showed the group chanting "Justice for Renee Good" inside Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, as a service began Sunday, raising concerns among law enforcement and religious leaders about agitators targeting houses of worship amid escalating anti-ICE demonstrations across the Twin Cities. 

In one video circulating online, agitators can be heard chanting, "Justice for Renee Good," and "Who needs justice, we need justice," as they stood inside the church during the service. 

In another clip, the person filming says demonstrators positioned themselves in the middle of the sanctuary as the pastor was speaking. The person filming then described the disruption as a "clandestine mission" and claimed agitators had just learned one of the pastors at the church was connected to ICE.

CHRISTIAN LEADERS DEMAND JUSTICE AFTER ANTI-ICE AGITATORS STORM ST. PAUL CHURCH: 'UNSPEAKABLY EVIL'

In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the church disruption, calling the incident "horrific" and saying such conduct should never occur at any place of worship. 

"What happened in that church was horrific," Bondi said. "That should not happen to any Christian, to any religion, to a synagogue, to a mosque, to any place of worship in our country."

The Cities Church also released a statement, saying: "On Sunday, January 18, a group of agitators jarringly disrupted our worship gathering. They accosted members of our congregation, frightened children, and created a scene marked by intimidation and threat. Such conduct is shameful, unlawful, and will not be tolerated. Invading a church service to disrupt the worship of Jesus — or any other act of worship — is protected by neither the Christian Scriptures nor the laws of this nation."

Fox News’ Greg Wehner, Jasmine Baehr and David Spunt contributed to this report. 

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Travis Kelce praises offensive coordinator's reported Chiefs return

Travis Kelce has not revealed whether he will play next season, but he did reveal his excitement for the Kansas City Chiefs’ reported offensive coordinator hire.

The Chiefs re-hired Eric Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator for his second stint with the team, according to multiple reports, and Kelce was fired up about it. 

Bieniemy was the Chiefs’ running backs coach from 2013-17, and the team’s offensive coordinator from 2018-22. The 56-year-old coach spent last season with the Chicago Bears as their running backs coach.

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"I think it's great, I think it's a marriage is going to pick up right where it left off. EB and who he is as a as a coach, you can see kind of his personality and what he brings to the table in that Chicago team, I know Ben Johnson has his own version of that, he's a very tough guy, and what he did in Detroit he brought over as well, and you can see those running backs over Chicago and their body of work was definitely an Eric Bienemy style of football, man," Kelce said during a recent episode of "New Heights."

Bieniemy left the Chiefs after 2022 and spent one season as the Washington Commanders' assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in 2023. After one season with the Commanders, Bieniemy went to UCLA for a season, where he was also the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, before returning to the NFL with the Bears.

BILLS OWNER DIVES INTO REASONING FOR SEAN MCDERMOTT FIRING, BLAMES 'COACHING' ON LACK OF WIDE RECEIVER SUCCESS

The Bears had a strong rushing attack, led by D'Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai. In 16 games, Swift had 1,087 rushing yards with nine touchdowns while Monangai had 783 rushing yards with five touchdowns in 17 games.

Kelce, who had some of the best seasons of his career with Bieniemy as offensive coordinator, is excited to see him back in the building.

"I can't wait to see him back in the building, man, he's one of he's one of my favorite coaches of all time, one of my favorite people of all time," Kelce said. "I’ve had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player, as a person, and I just love the guy, and it's going to be awesome to see him back in the building and see him back wearing the Chiefs logo, baby."

Kelce said at the beginning of the month after the Chiefs' season ended that he would take some time away before deciding on his playing future. If he decides to return and stays with the Chiefs, he will have one of his favorite coaches back with him.

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State Dept to start rolling out FIFA PASS for foreign soccer fans looking to attend World Cup in US

EXCLUSIVE: The 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than five months away and the State Department is set to roll out a system for ticket holders who need visas.

The State Department will launch the FIFA Priority Appointment Schedule System (FIFA PASS), Fox News Digital learned on Tuesday. The system will give World Cup ticket holders the opportunity to access prioritized visa appointments before the event begins on June 11.

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Prospective visa holders must be able to show that they qualify to obtain a visa and plan to follow the laws in the United States as well as leave the country once the tournament is over on July 19.

Scheduling the visa interview doesn’t necessarily mean a visa will be issued. Each applicant will undergo security screening and proper vetting. They will have to demonstrate that they qualify for a visa.

The State Department will deploy 500 additional staff members to process applications.

President Donald Trump spoke about the FIFA Pass in November. He said the Departments of State and Homeland Security had been working "tirelessly" to "ensure that soccer fans from all around the world are properly vetted and able to come to the United States next summer easily."

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"I’ve directed my administration to do everything within the power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success. I think it’s going to be the greatest, and we are setting records on ticket sales," Trump said at the time.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the organization expected "between 5 and 10 million people coming to America from… all over the world to enjoy the World Cup."

"With this FIFA Pass, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket that are legitimate football fans, or soccer fans… they can come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions – starting from getting their visa and then coming, of course, in the country to enjoy," Infantino said in the Oval Office.

Trump strongly encouraged World Cup ticketholders from around the world to apply for their U.S. visas "right away."

Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.

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