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Shooter's Chilling Laughter Stuns Courtroom: What Happened?

Shooter's Chilling Laughter Stuns Courtroom: What Happened?

A school shooter who admitted to killing four people at his high school was seen laughing in court as one of his surviving victims described the life-changing injuries she suffered in the attack. Colt Gray, now 16, pleaded guilty on Friday (July 24) to murdering four people and injuring nine others during the mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County on September 4, 2024. Colt Gray, now 16, pleaded guilty on Friday. Credit: Barrow County Sheriff's Office/Handout Gray was just 14 years old when he entered his algebra classroom with a rifle and fired around 15 shots. Students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, were tragically killed, along with teachers Cristina Irimie, 52, and Richard Aspinwall, 39. He now faces a minimum sentence of life in prison after pleading guilty to 55 felony charges. Survivor opens up about lasting trauma During the sentencing hearing, survivor Natalie Griffith gave a victim impact statement describing how the shooting continues to affect her every day. The young woman, who was among the nine people wounded in the attack, became emotional as she recalled what happened in court. At one point, she appeared overwhelmed and began speaking more quickly before the judge encouraged her to slow down. "I'm sorry," Griffith replied. As the exchange unfolded, Gray was seen grinning and laughing while seated between his defence attorneys. The courtroom also briefly laughed before Griffith continued her statement. "I got shot twice, once in my wrist and once in my upper arm," she said. "I lost the ability to use my left hand, but on some days it doesn't feel like that is the biggest thing I lost." "After the shooting, I lost my independence. I could not put on my own clothes or do my own hair, things that were easy for me became a challenge." She also described how the trauma continues to shape her daily life. "My mind immediately goes to the worst possible scenario," she continued. "I wonder if there's a gun. I wonder if I need to run. I'm so very afraid of loud sounds. And I start to panic when I hear them." "Some days when I think about the shooting it feels like he killed me even though I lived. The part of me that trusted people died," she added. Victim's mother: 'I do not forgive' The court also heard from Breanna Schermerhorn, whose 14-year-old son Mason was killed in the attack. "I do not forgive, Mr. Gray," she told the court. "He took away every birthday we would have celebrated, every holiday, every graduation, every milestone, every hug." Obsession with Parkland shooter revealed Jurors were also shown an interview Gray gave investigators shortly after the shooting, in which he admitted becoming fixated on Nikolas Cruz , who carried out the 2018 Parkland school shooting . "I became obsessed with him on an emotional level because I understood some of the stuff he came through," Gray said. "He shot up his school, but on an emotional level I could understand the trauma and stuff that he went through." Gray also revealed that around a week and a half before the shooting, he created a Securus messaging account in an attempt to contact Cruz. He said he introduced himself before sending a second message in hopes of getting a reply, but Cruz never responded. Gray admitted becoming fixated on Nikolas Cruz, who carried out the 2018 Parkland school shooting. Credit: Taimy Alvarez-Pool/Getty Father's role in the shooting Gray's father, Colin Gray, was also prosecuted over the shooting after police said he ignored several warning signs and gave his son the AR-15-style rifle used in the attack as a Christmas gift. Prosecutors said the 55-year-old had even boasted about his son's shooting abilities before the tragedy. "We do a lot of shooting, we do a lot of deer hunting," Colin was heard saying in an audio recording. "He actually shot his first deer this year." Earlier this year, a jury found the father guilty of 29 charges tied to the shooting, making him one of the first times a parent has been charged for their child’s crimes and school shooting violence. Prosecutors had argued Colin was "the one person who could have prevented" the tragedy and that he knew his son "was a bomb just waiting to go off" when he gave him the firearm, per BBC News . Featured image credit: Barrow County Sheriff's Office/Handout

Jul 25, 2026
Chaos Unfolds as Iguana Springs from FedEx Box, Shocking Employees

Chaos Unfolds as Iguana Springs from FedEx Box, Shocking Employees

Leapin’ lizards!A routine FedEx pickup turned into reptile mayhem when a massive iguana leaped out of its box and across the counter, sending unsuspecting employees scrambling.The hilarious encounter unfolded at a FedEx location in Memphis, Tennessee, where Roderick Duncan, 41, had gone to pick up the newest addition to his household.The massive iguana leaps across the FedEx counter, sending unsuspecting employees scattering. Instagram / @chefp_Duncan already owns another iguana but chose to have his second reptile delivered to the FedEx location instead of his home because of the hot summer weather.Shipping an iguana through FedEx is not as unusual as it may sound. The company allows certain harmless reptiles to be shipped domestically using overnight services, though the shipper must receive prior approval and use FedEx-approved packaging.Employees initially believed there was a fish inside the package and became curious after learning an iguana was actually inside.“Can you take him out to check he’s alive?” Duncan recalled them asking.They quickly got their answer.While Duncan was opening the package, the bulky reptile suddenly sprang out, ran across the counter and sent employees scattering. One startled worker even fell to the floor during the commotion.“My initial thought was, ‘Oh s–t, he’s bigger than I thought,” he told The Post. “He was bigger, thicker, more grown,” Duncan said, estimating the iguana was about twice the size of his first.The runaway reptile explores the FedEx store after making its surprise escape from the package. Instagram / @chefp_Duncan said he wanted to stay calm to avoid escalating the situation, especially after seeing one of the employees fall.“I was worried about her,” he said, adding that he knew the iguana posed no danger to those inside the store.The perfectly timed footage was not planned either.Duncan had been recording the pickup using his Meta glasses, which also serve as his everyday prescription glasses, to document the process of bringing his new pet home.It was not until Duncan got home and rewatched the footage that he realized just how hilarious the chaotic encounter looked on camera.A FedEx employee scrambles away after the iguana unexpectedly leaps from its package during the pickup. Instagram / @chefp_The clip quickly took off online, drawing millions of views and a flood of comments from viewers amused by the employees’ frantic reactions.But Duncan said some viewers mistakenly believed he had intentionally let the iguana loose to create viral content.“I hate that people think it was malicious,” he told The Post.Duncan later posted the full video to provide more context around the chaotic encounter and show that he had not intentionally let the iguana loose for content.Despite his explosive introduction, the reptile has been much more laid-back since arriving home.Duncan said he is currently letting the iguana settle into his enclosure before beginning to feed and handle him more regularly next week.“He’s pretty chill,” Duncan said. “He hasn’t really jumped or anything now.”A FedEx employee helps capture the iguana after its unexpected escape sent workers scrambling. Instagram / @chefp_The new arrival will share a room dedicated to Duncan’s pets alongside his first iguana and dog.After seeing his hefty size paired with his surprisingly “chill” personality, Duncan found a fitting name for his newest companion: Titan.

Jul 25, 2026
Trump's Bold Move: What Are the New Signs Outside the Smithsonian?

Trump's Bold Move: What Are the New Signs Outside the Smithsonian?

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the installation of temporary exhibits and warning signs outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, saying they will correct what his administration describes as "inaccurate information" presented inside the museum. The order instructs the Interior Department and National Park Service to place signage along museum walkways informing visitors of a recent White House report criticizing the Smithsonian's portrayal of American history and directing them to what the administration calls "accurate information" about the nation's past.Newsweek contacted the White House early Saturday via email and online form for comment.The move is the latest step in Trump's wider effort to reshape how American history is presented at federally supported museums and cultural institutions....What Did The White House Report Say?The executive order is based on a 162-page White House Domestic Policy Council report released on July 4 titled Saving America's Story: How Ideological Capture at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History Erases Our Heritage.As previously reported by Newsweek, earlier this month, the Trump administration accused the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History of promoting "ideological activism" over historical scholarship, and argued exhibits on race, gender, immigration and sexuality have distorted the nation's story.The report argues that the museum no longer presents American history as "a shared national inheritance," instead accusing Smithsonian leadership of using history to advance social justice causes. It claims the institution focuses disproportionately on slavery, racism, inequality and other historical failings while failing to adequately celebrate the nation's founding, achievements and democratic traditions.Among its recommendations, the report proposed posting warning signs stating that museum exhibits were created by people who "don't want you to love your country," increasing recognition of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence during America's 250th anniversary, and revising exhibits the administration considers ideologically biased.The White House pulled out several of the report's findings in a social media thread earlier this month, pointing to museum displays and educational materials that administration officials described as examples of "degeneracy" and political activism.A Smithsonian spokesperson previously told Newsweek: "For more than 180 years, the Smithsonian has served the American public with nonpartisan and independent scholarship, and we remain committed to doing so."...Which Exhibits Were Criticized?The report singled out several displays inside the National Museum of American History.It criticized the museum's "Girlhood (It's Complicated)" exhibition, arguing that its discussion of gender identity and transgender experiences reflects political activism rather than historical interpretation. Republicans also questioned the exhibit during recent congressional hearings.The administration also faulted the museum for what it described as insufficient recognition of the Declaration of Independence and its signers during the nation's semi-quincentennial celebrations. The new executive order specifically says temporary outdoor exhibits should address what it calls those omissions.As reported by The New York Times, Museum Director Anthea Hartig has rejected the White House's characterization, telling lawmakers that the museum follows rigorous historical scholarship while presenting both America's achievements and shortcomings.Trump's Smithsonian TimelineMarch 27, 2025: Trump signed Executive Order 14253, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," directing Vice President JD Vance, a Smithsonian regent, to work toward eliminating what the administration called "divisive" ideology from Smithsonian museums and linking future federal funding to those goals.August 12, 2025: The White House ordered a sweeping review of Smithsonian exhibitions, educational materials and public messaging to determine whether they aligned with the administration's vision for the country's 250th anniversary.July 4, 2026: The Domestic Policy Council released Saving America's Story, accusing Smithsonian leadership of ideological bias and recommending major changes to museum exhibits and messaging.July 24, 2026: Trump signed the latest executive order requiring warning signs and temporary exhibits outside the National Museum of American History to counter what the administration says is inaccurate historical information presented inside the museum.Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.

Jul 25, 2026
Trump's Shocking '2028 Run' Tease at White House Dinner: What Did He Reveal?

Trump's Shocking '2028 Run' Tease at White House Dinner: What Did He Reveal?

Donald Trump joked that he'll run for president again as he unveils a "Trump 2028" hat at White House Correspondents' Dinner. The annual dinner finally took place on Friday (July 24), three months after it was suspended following an alleged attempted assassination on the president. The 80-year-old delivered an hour-long speech at the event, which was held under tight security at Washington's Waldorf Astoria hotel, that mixed calls for unity with jokes. The president wore a Trump 2028 hat at the WHCD. Credit: Eric Lee / Getty Towards the end of his speech, Trump teased the audience with what he called a big announcement. "That's why tonight, to show just how much I care about the press and, I want to save your ratings," he said. "I'm pleased to announce my intention to, and this is somewhat of a scoop, my intention to run for a fourth term as president of the United States." Trump has joked several times about serving another term, but the US Constitution does not allow a president to serve more than two elected terms. One joke gets no laughs Not every joke landed with the audience. While talking about term limits for members of Congress, Trump shared a story about an elderly senator who received a text from his wife saying: "When you get home, I want you to immediately come up the stairs and make love to me." The senator's reply was: "I can't do both." The room stayed silent. Trump then explained the joke himself: "Can't get up on the stairs and make love," he said while pulling a face. "Does anybody get that?" Laughing at the awkward moment, he added: "That was the only thing I thought was good in this whole frickin' stupid speech they wrote. That was the only good one and that went down with not exactly great laughter." Trump praised the White House press corps for their work but also criticized some reporters by name. Credit: Eric Lee / Getty Images Trump speaks about April attack The president also reflected on the shooting that forced organizers to postpone the original dinner in April. "As I said three months ago, the show must go on," he said . "Tonight we come back together to answer that heinous attack with unwavering resolve," adding that "in America we do not yield to political violence." Later in the speech, he reiterated that message. "We do not yield to political violence... No deranged loser with a gun will ever change that," per Sky News . Trump also admitted that his original speech had been much harsher. "I was so psyched. I was going to rip people, and I don't know. Just something changed," he said. "It's really for the better, but I just wouldn't want to do that. But we'll do a little ripping if you don't mind." Although he slammed what he often calls the "fake news media," he also commended the journalists in the room. "I have tremendous respect for the people in this room," he said, before adding: "Sometimes I don't feel you treat me fair. "Maybe you do. I don't know. I don't feel that, but sometimes you treat me very fairly, and I have a lot of respect for your profession." He also thanked guests for returning after the events of April: "Most of us went through a period of trauma from just a short while ago, and you know, some people said they wanted to come, but they were afraid to come, and you people weren't afraid to come." The suspect in the shooting was identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen. Credit: Anadolu / Getty After the April attack, the dinner was moved from the Washington Hilton to the Waldorf Astoria and held under increased security. Outgoing White House Correspondents' Association president Weijia Jiang of CBS News opened the event by saying: "Tonight, our message is this: We are back. We will not be intimidated...We refuse to let an act of violence have the final word." Featured image credit: Eric Lee / Getty

Jul 25, 2026
Sharon Stone's Shocking Month-Long Battle After Quitting Marijuana

Sharon Stone's Shocking Month-Long Battle After Quitting Marijuana

Hollywood icon Sharon Stone recently opened up about a health scare after quitting marijuana, revealing her symptoms were so intense that she turned to a neurologist.During an interview with Variety, the actress said her decision to quit was driven by a desire for a drug-free life.“And because I think they put so much stuff in it now — they really do — when I stopped smoking pot, I also got sick,” she said.“I got pretty sick for a month. I went to my neurologist, and he said, ‘Sharon, I’ve had people dying in the emergency room from marijuana.'”Stone attributed her ordeal to the potency of modern weed, saying, “It’s not like you’re pulling it out of the ground anymore … It’s not like when we were kids.”Experts note that cannabis withdrawal itself is generally not considered life-threatening, although severe symptoms, underlying medical conditions or interactions with other substances can complicate recovery.Sharon Stone admitted she “got pretty sick” and had to visit her neurologist after she quit smoking marijuana. The actress claims modern weed is a lot stronger, which added to her symptoms. Getty Images for ZFFDr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services at the Lindner Center in Cincinnati, confirmed that today’s cannabis products are vastly different from the strains of decades past.THC levels in marijuana have surged from about 3% to 5% in the 1980s to as high as 30% in today’s cannabis products, while concentrates can exceed 90% THC, he told Fox News Digital.Dr. Chris Tuell said that THC levels have increased since the 1980s, and higher concentrations have been observed to fuel addiction. ststoev – stock.adobe.comHigher THC concentrations have been linked to greater risks of dependence, cannabis use disorder (CUD), psychosis in some users and more severe withdrawal symptoms, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.As today’s cannabis products become increasingly potent, experts say there are several risks and warning signs that daily users should know before deciding whether to continue — or quit — using marijuana.No. 1: High-potency THC changes the brain’s reward systemOnce quitting long-term marijuana use, withdrawal symptoms can include severe insomnia, headaches, appetite loss, and more. Helayne Seidman for NY PostAccording to Cleveland Clinic, CUD occurs when marijuana takes over the brain’s reward pathways, amplifying compulsive behavior.“I do believe cannabis is addicting, especially with the high levels of THC,” Tuell told Fox News Digital.No. 2: Addiction isn’t always obviousThe Cleveland Clinic said those with medical or mental health conditions might benefit from medical supervision when going through cannabis withdrawal. AFP via Getty ImagesThe American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) outlines the following diagnostic criteria signaling that casual use may have crossed into dependency. Taking larger amounts over longer periods than intended Experiencing unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control usage Failing to fulfill work, school or home responsibilities Continuing use despite clear relationship problems No. 3: Withdrawal can be intenseMarijuana dependency can look like taking larger amounts, failing to cut down usage, and failing to complete key daily tasks. Helayne SeidmanQuitting heavy, long-term cannabis use can trigger withdrawal symptoms within 24 to 48 hours, Cleveland Clinic notes.Users frequently experience severe insomnia, intense irritability, anxiety, appetite loss, sweating, headaches and stomach upset. While acute physical symptoms typically resolve within a month, mood swings and sleep issues can linger much longer, according to Tuell.4. Medical guidance may be neededTuell says mood swings and sleep issues can last as longer symptoms during cannabis withdrawal. James Keivom for NY PostWhile cannabis withdrawal alone rarely requires hospitalization, Cleveland Clinic notes that people with significant medical or mental health conditions — or those stopping cannabis while also withdrawing from alcohol, opioids or certain other medications — may benefit from medical supervision.No. 5: Underlying issues may fuel dependenceMental health conditions often occur alongside cannabis use disorder, and treating those underlying issues may help reduce problematic marijuana use, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Cleveland Clinic.“I strongly believe that CUD and mental health issues co-exist, and that mental health counseling can address the issues driving the addictive behaviors,” Tuell said.Fox News Digital reached out to Stone’s representatives requesting comment.

Jul 25, 2026
Mystery Deepens: Unanswered Questions Haunt Travis Decker Case

Mystery Deepens: Unanswered Questions Haunt Travis Decker Case

New information surfaced in the case of the deaths of the Decker sisters, and it's all to do with their alleged killer father, Travis Decker . Human remains were found near a remote wooded area after the father was accused of murdering his three daughters near a Washington state campground this summer. The remains were believed to be those of the father, according to the coroner in Chelan County. The bodies of three sisters, Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia, five , were found near a campground in Wenatchee, Washington, on June 2, 2025. Just three days after their father took them for what was meant to be a “planned visitation," the girls were found with plastic bags over their heads and zip ties around their wrists. It is believed that the three girls likely died from asphyxiation . Despite the discovery of the father's remains, the coroner revealed that an autopsy could not be carried out on Travis Decker's body for one reason. Decker's remains cannot undergo an autopsy. Credit: U.S. Marshals Service One question remains in the Decker case The suspect's body cannot undergo an autopsy due to how little remains of the father, as reported by ABC 7 . This means that the question of when and how he died will likely never be known, following the gruesome murders. According to officials, Travis' torso and cranium were never found, with no biological tissue remaining. The coroner explained that based on the length of time he was dead, in addition to the summer weather and animal activity, not much of his bones remained. They were found in five different areas and hundreds of yards apart, with a state anthropologist determining that no bone fractures indicated a fall, but they will likely never know how the suspected killer dad died. The DNA on clothing and human remains found in September last year was confirmed as a "positive match for Travis Decker," according to Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. He stated: "We hope that you can rest easy at night knowing that Mr. Decker is accounted for." The attorney for Decker's ex-wife said that the family was "praying that the remains found are confirmed to be Travis's." "We continue to be grateful for law enforcement's efforts in this case and are forever appreciative of the entire world's love, compassion, and support for Whitney," Whitney Decker's attorney, Arianna Cozart, said in a statement. The Army veteran was wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping prior to the discovery. Travis Decker was charged with the murders of his three daughters. Credit: GoFundMe Travis Decker's death confirmed by the US Marshals Service The US Marshals Service, which was offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker's arrest, confirmed his death. They declared him to be dead in a court filing made last September, stating: "The United States Marshals Service has advised the Defendant TRAVIS CALEB DECKER is deceased." The document was filed to dismiss the case and halt the arrest warrant for Decker. Cozart had told ABC News that the father had some "mental health issues and some instability in his life," which led to restrictions on overnight visitation and taking his daughters out of the area. She noted that he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, having been unable to receive help through veterans' resources. Featured image credit: U.S. Marshals Service

Jul 25, 2026
Massive $128M Ranch Sale Stuns Market in Record Time

Massive $128M Ranch Sale Stuns Market in Record Time

A cattle empire spanning two states and nearly 88,000 acres has changed hands for a massive sum — and it barely had time to sit on the market.Freeman Family Ranches, an 87,953-acre spread stretching across the North Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, sold for nearly its full asking price of $127.7 million after interested buyers began circling right after it hit the market. The deal closed within a month. Realtor.com first broke news of the sale.Its sprawling scale is difficult to picture. For comparison’s sake, it’s roughly six times the land area of Manhattan.Freeman Family Ranches, an 87,953-acre spread across the North Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, has sold for nearly its full asking price of $127.7 million after just weeks on the market, closing within a month of interested buyers circling almost immediately. Hall and HallThe land is roughly six times the size of Manhattan. Hall & HallThe land had been in the Freeman ranching family for four generations, with the earliest deed dating to 1929. Hall & HallFor four generations, the land belonged to the Freeman ranching family, with the earliest deed dating back to 1929 and the rest of the massive holding assembled piece by piece over the decades that followed. According to listing broker Chad Dugger of Hall and Hall, the ranches were held under a partnership whose operating agreement had expired, prompting the family to liquidate the asset.Three separate ranches — the Anchor D, the Coldwater and the Frisco — made up the land holding, each with its own identity and purpose, run together as one seamless operation.It was all combined into what brokers describe as a genuine turnkey enterprise, the rare kind of property that generates income from day 1 rather than requiring years of development. The land combined three ranches (the Anchor D, the Coldwater and the Frisco) into one turnkey livestock operation historically run with around 8,500 yearlings. Apple Photos Clean UpThe family liquidated the asset after a partnership operating agreement expired, according to listing broker Chad Dugger of Hall and Hall, who co-listed with Sam Middleton of Chas S. Middleton and Son. Hall & HallThe buyer, undisclosed but described as a top 100 national landowner and rancher, plans to continue operating the property as a working ranch. Hall & HallNo livestock changed hands as part of the sale, though historically the ranch was run as a yearling operation carrying around 8,500 young animals at a time.“You either run mother cows year-round or you run yearlings seasonally,” Dugger told Realtor.com.“Freeman Ranches was a rare offering, three diverse, well-managed ranches operated as one cohesive unit, the kind of property that simply does not come around every day,” Dugger said in a separate statement to The Post.Dugger declined to name the buyer but described him as a top 100 national landowner with deep roots in the livestock business.“He is buying it to ranch,” he said. “Just like his family has for decades. And to expand his land holdings.”Dugger, who has worked in land dealings for 25 years, called it one of the largest ranches he’s ever sold. Hall & HallDugger pointed to the scarcity of properties this size, since large ranches are often subdivided once sold and rarely reassembled. Hall & HallHorses seen grazing the land. Hall & HallAccording to Dugger, the Freeman family took comfort in knowing the land would remain in the hands of another Texas ranching family rather than being broken apart.“It’s always nice when a seller is attached to a place as long as this family has to find somebody who will treat it and use it the way they’ve always treated and used it,” he said. “The buyer will continue the legacy.”Scarcity is a big part of why the sale moved so fast. Large ranches in this stretch of Texas are frequently purchased and subdivided, and once that happens, the land rarely gets reassembled into a single holding again.“It’s becoming more and more rare to have these size transactions,” said Dugger, who co-listed the property alongside Sam Middleton of Chas S. Middleton and Son. “The number of large ranches, particularly in this area of Texas, are sometimes bought and divided. Once that happens, they are almost never put together again. So your inventory of places this size is reduced.”With a quarter century in land dealings, Dugger calls it one of the largest ranches he has ever sold.

Jul 25, 2026
Why This Newspaper's 'Pre-Death Obituary' of Mitch McConnell is Stirring Controversy

Why This Newspaper's 'Pre-Death Obituary' of Mitch McConnell is Stirring Controversy

A columnist at Kentucky's largest newspaper has published what he called a "pre-obituary" of Senator Mitch McConnell, accusing the former Republican Majority Leader of dismantling civil rights protections he once championed and of enabling President Donald Trump despite privately calling him "stupid" and a "despicable human being."Joseph Gerth, a columnist for the Louisville Courier Journal, wrote in a piece published Wednesday that he decided to lay out his assessment of McConnell's career even though the 84-year-old senator is still alive, rather than wait for an actual obituary."With McConnell allegedly on the mend, I figured I'd go ahead and tell you what I think about McConnell now, when no one can complain, 'How dare you write that about a dead guy?' " Gerth wrote.Gerth said the idea was prompted by the death of longtime Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham on July 11, after which he said online criticism of Graham was frequently met with objections that it was inappropriate to speak ill of someone who had just died....In the column, Gerth compared McConnell to former President Richard Nixon, writing that McConnell "is every bit the detestable figure that Nixon was," but that unlike Nixon, McConnell "never paid for his sins."Gerth pointed to McConnell's decision to block President Barack Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court in 2016, when the senator argued that voters should decide the appointment in a presidential election year, followed by his later push to confirm Amy Coney Barrett just eight days before the 2020 White House vote.Gerth wrote that the shift on the court "destroyed the court's credibility with the American people," citing polling showing the court's approval rating has fallen from 58 percent in July 2020 to 36 percent in a recent Economist/YouGov survey.McConnell's Recent Health TimelineThe lengthy absence of McConnell from public view has sparked widespread speculation about the condition of the Kentucky Republican while fueling calls for changes in the health disclosure requirements to which members of Congress are subject.McConnell has not been seen publicly for weeks and has missed every roll call vote in the Senate since June 11, according to GovTrack.us. The office of the 84-year-old McConnell released a photo of him in a hospital bed in mid-July, as well as a statement saying the absence was a result of a fall and pneumonia, but that picture has done little to quell suspicions regarding his health and whereabouts. McConnell has suffered several falls and health scares in recent years.Mitch McConnell's Career in CongressMitch McConnell was first elected to the Senate in 1984, defeating an incumbent Democrat and becoming the first Republican to win a statewide race in Kentucky since 1968. He went on to win reelection six times, becoming the state's longest-serving senator.His political journey began with a record that looked very different from the one he would build in Washington. As a young man, McConnell attended civil rights rallies and interned for Republican Senator John Sherman Cooper. In his memoir, The Long Game, McConnell recalled watching President Lyndon Johnson sign the Voting Rights Act into law, describing the moment as one that "overwhelmed" him.Decades later, McConnell became one of the most powerful Republicans in Washington. He led the Senate Republican conference for years, moving between majority and minority leader as control of the chamber changed hands.His tenure included major legislative victories, including helping pass Trump's 2017 tax reform bill and sponsoring 31 bills that became law.But his relationship with Trump was complicated.McConnell backed Trump's agenda and three Supreme Court confirmations, but the alliance fractured after the 2020 election. He recognized Joe Biden's victory and blamed Trump for the January 6 riot at the Capitol, though he did not vote to convict the president following his second impeachment.Despite Trump repeatedly lashing out at the senator, McConnell endorsed his 2024 campaign. On his 83rd birthday, February 20, 2025, McConnell announced that he would not seek an eighth Senate term.McConnell Absence Sparks Push To Change Congress RulesThe prolonged absence of McConnell and several lawmakers has catalyzed into a wider debate over whether Congress should implement mandatory health disclosure rules for its members.On July 14, Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres said he would be introducing legislation requiring lawmakers to file a "public notice" explaining any "extended absence from voting." ...Under the Duty of Transparency Act, members would need to notify constituents that they will be absent, as well as "roughly how long they expect to be away, and whether they are still able to perform their official duties" during this time.Under current House and Senate rules, members of Congress are typically not required to publicly state why they may have missed votes, nor inform constituents how much time they could miss or any health-related issues.Some members, however, have voluntarily provided such information. Democratic Senator John Fetterman’s office, for example, issued periodic updates on his condition after he was hospitalized for depression in early 2023, during which he missed dozens of Senate roll-call votes.Full List of Senators Beyond Retirement AgeThe monthlong hospitalization of McConnell and the sudden death of Graham have renewed scrutiny of the advanced ages in Congress' upper chamber, where the average member is now 65 and more than one-third are 70 or older.Together, the two cases have put a spotlight on an institution in which lawmakers routinely serve into their 80s and 90s, with questions about fitness for office rarely being raised until a health crisis forces the issue.Of the 99 sitting senators, the average age is 65.1 and the median is 66, according to a Newsweek analysis of legislator birth records. Thirty-six senators are 70 or older, eight are 80 or older, and one, Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, is 92. Grassley, third in line to the presidency as Senate president pro tempore, leads the Judiciary Committee and has pointed to his continued corn farming as evidence that he remains fit for office.Broken into brackets, the chamber's composition is eight senators in their 40s, 22 in their 50s, 33 in their 60s, 28 in their 70s, seven in their 80s and Grassley alone in his 90s.The two parties are close to even on age. Republicans average 64.9 years old among their 52 senators, while Democrats average 64.6 among 45. The gap widens at the higher ages, where Republicans hold 17 seats among senators in their 70s to Democrats' 11.Full List: Senators 70 and OlderThirty-six of the Senate's 99 members are 70 or older, more than one-third of the chamber. Here is each one, ranked from oldest to youngest:Sheldon Whitehouse, 70, Democrat, Rhode IslandChuck Grassley, 92, Republican, IowaBernie Sanders, 84, independent, VermontMitch McConnell, 84, Republican, KentuckyJames E. Risch, 83, Republican, IdahoAngus S. King, Jr., 82, independent, MaineRichard J. Durbin, 81, Democrat, IllinoisRichard Blumenthal, 80, Democrat, ConnecticutEdward J. Markey, 80, Democrat, MassachusettsJeanne Shaheen, 79, Democrat, New HampshirePeter Welch, 79, Democrat, VermontMazie K. Hirono, 78, Democrat, HawaiiRon Wyden, 77, Democrat, OregonElizabeth Warren, 77, Democrat, MassachusettsJack Reed, 76, Democrat, Rhode IslandRoger F. Wicker, 75, Republican, MississippiJohn Boozman, 75, Republican, ArkansasMike Crapo, 75, Republican, IdahoPatty Murray, 75, Democrat, WashingtonCharles E. Schumer, 75, Democrat, New YorkDeb Fischer, 75, Republican, NebraskaJames C. Justice, 75, Republican, West VirginiaJohn Cornyn, 74, Republican, TexasMarsha Blackburn, 74, Republican, TennesseeJohn Kennedy, 74, Republican, LouisianaJohn W. Hickenlooper, 74, Democrat, ColoradoJohn Barrasso, 73, Republican, WyomingSusan M. Collins, 73, Republican, MaineRick Scott, 73, Republican, FloridaShelley Moore Capito, 72, Republican, West VirginiaJerry Moran, 72, Republican, KansasMark R. Warner, 71, Democrat, VirginiaRon Johnson, 71, Republican, WisconsinMike Rounds, 71, Republican, South DakotaCynthia M. Lummis, 71, Republican, WyomingTommy Tuberville, 71, Republican, AlabamaContact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon, Edward Pearcey and Geoffrey Rowland

Jul 25, 2026
Ohio's 'House of Horrors': Shocking New Details Emerge

Ohio's 'House of Horrors': Shocking New Details Emerge

After 16 children, some with severe injuries, were rescued from a squalid home, four people, believed to be their parents and grandparents, have been charged with 17 counts of child endangerment . The children, aged between one-and-a-half and 18, were discovered inside a crumbling house by the Vinton County Sheriff's Office in Ohio on June 30, and were described to be "kept in worse conditions than livestock”. Law enforcement officers described the scene as “pure evil”, while Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson told a news conference they were found in “conditions you cannot even imagine people being in, let alone children being in.” Tragically, he added: “Some of these children couldn’t even speak.” Gary Siders Jr. and and Elizabeth Siders have been handed child felony charges. Credit: Southeast Ohio Jail Some of the children were completely mute The area the children were held captive in for “most of the last four years” was reportedly no larger than 12 by 12 feet and had a high presence of human excrement . The house they were found in, which is believed to belong to a deceased owner, was in such terrible condition that the children were “literally about to fall through the floor,” according to Wilson. Heartbreakingly, the children had suffered such “ serious physical harm ” that two had to be flown to specialist trauma centres, while another seven were taken to Columbus Hospitals, with one admitted to the ICU and intubated. The children's father, Gary Siders Jr., 36, mother Elizabeth Siders , 33, and grandparents Gary Siders Sr., 73, and Christina Siders, 77, were arrested and charged with 16 counts of child endangerment. However, they have all since pleaded not guilty. In the latest update, a firefighter who responded to the scene has revealed even more harrowing details about the state in which the children were found. The property the children were found in was falling apart. Credit: X / Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson Captain with the Hamden Volunteer Fire Department, Jeremiah Griffith, was one of the first emergency responders on the scene after cops uncovered the hidden children. He told The Columbus Dispatch : "Just the situation in whole was shocking." The children were covered in scratches and bites Recalling the journey he made to the hospital with four of the children in the back, Griffith remembers them being thin and covered in scratches and bug bites. He said the kids were: "covered in bugs and squatting and had that like distant look in their eyes. "It was a terrible situation," Griffith said. "And children are innocent. You hate to see when they're hurt." Griffith recalls thinking: “This is terrible. They looked like almost feral animals . It was terrible. So when we’re talking reading, writing and education, we’re talking a whole other level of expectations here. It’s hard enough just to get these kids to be able to – the 18-year-old can’t spell her name." The 16 neglected children are now in county custody and are expected to be put in "therapeutic foster care,", according to Joel Potts, the Chief Government and External Affairs Officer for the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Featured image credit: X / Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson

Jul 25, 2026
Trump's Unexpected Reaction to Journalists' Award for Epstein Story

Trump's Unexpected Reaction to Journalists' Award for Epstein Story

President Trump had a priceless reaction Friday night after a crew of journalists were honored at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner for their reporting on the commander-in-chief’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.Trump smiled and laughed as the group of reporters from the Wall Street Journal were given the Katharine Graham Award for Courage and Accountability for their investigative report on a birthday card and drawing purportedly made by the president and given to the notorious sex criminal.Trump attends the re-scheduled White House Correspondents Dinner in the Presidential Ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria on July 24, 2026. Getty ImagesTrump speaks with CBS News senior White House correspondent and WHCA President Weijia Jiang. AFP via Getty ImagesAt one point, the president appeared to mouth, “I don’t know,” as he jokingly threw his hands in the air, approaching the moment with good humor.Attendees watch a video of man who tried to force his way through security at previous White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner. REUTERSTrump shook hands with each and every reporter that worked on the story.The president filed a $10 billion defamation suit against the Journal after the story was published last year.

Jul 25, 2026
Why Are These Knicks Trash Cans Causing Such a Stir?

Why Are These Knicks Trash Cans Causing Such a Stir?

These guy are winning in garbage time.Five lucky New Yorkers scored some big buckets Friday — when they each took home a Knicks-themed metal trash can, just like the one a JP Morgan executive lost her job for stealing during the team’s NBA Finals victory parade last month.The city’s Sanitation Department plucked the lucky crew from an incredible 125,000 applicants as part of the “No Need to Knick a Bin” contest. Daniel LeVert was one of five winners to take home a Knicks-themed trash can. Stephen Yang for NY Post“People are getting fired over these!” winner Alfonso Bravo, of Kingsbridge Heights, said after he was awarded the branded trash bin.The winners were unveiled Friday at a celebration at the DSNY’s Upper West Side garage, where each was handed their spoils before a jealous crowd.They were selected at random as part of the contest, which the DSNY launched as a not-so-subtle dig at Angie Baez, who went viral for stealing a painted bin off the Knicks ticker tape parade route last month.The former JP Morgan executive was caught spilling the contents of the basket onto the streets before lugging her new 30-pound prize home via the subway.The winners, one per borough, were chosen at random. Stephen Yang for NY Post“We all saw on video that they can be carried away, and I appreciate all of you who are about to do so with our permission,” said DSNY Commissioner Gregory Anderson.“May these baskets remind all New Yorkers that keeping our city clean is always in bounds. Trash belongs in a basket or a bin — not on the sidewalk.Bravo of the Bronx, Daniel LaVert of Brooklyn, Mia Manantan of Manhattan, Gabriela Manzanares, of Queens and Scott Simas, of Staten Island’s Dongan Hills made up the winning team.The five victors each represented one borough — and the DSNY emphasized that the only qualifications the candidates needed to meet were the ability to get the 30-pound baskets out of the Upper West Side office and bring them home. Being a Knicks fan, however, was not a requirement.Angie Baez was fired from her job at JP Morgan after she was caught on video stealing a bin. @mel_aston/tiktok“I’m more of an interior design fan than a sports fan. I love New York though, so it’s cool to be able to celebrate with everyone and to have this one-of-a-kind piece,” admitted LaVert, originally of Chicago and now living in Bedford-Stuyvesant.“I feel like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It’s like my golden ticket!” he continued, saying he would use it for storage. Manathan, of East Harlem, told The Post she thought she was receiving a “scam email” when the DSNY let her know she won.“I’m just happy to have it. Wow, what a one in a million chance of winning!” she said, adding that she now has to figure out where to put it.“It’s a good conversation starter in a traditional New York City apartment. As you can imagine, I don’t live in a mansion, but what am I going to put in it?”

Jul 25, 2026
Father's Heartbreaking Plea: Keep These Trial Photos Hidden

Father's Heartbreaking Plea: Keep These Trial Photos Hidden

The father of three children allegedly killed by their mother has asked a judge to prevent graphic photographs and other deeply distressing evidence from being publicly displayed during her murder trial. Massachusetts mom Lindsay Clancy was accused of killing her three young children by strangulation at their home before attempting to take her own life in January 2023. She survived but sustained severe spinal injuries and remains paralyzed. Lindsay’s lawyers have argued that she was suffering from severe postpartum mental illness, but prosecutors are pursuing murder charges in the ongoing trial. Her husband Patrick Clancy recently requested restricted public access to evidence connected to the deaths of his children, Cora, five, Dawson, three, and Callan, eight months. Lindsay and Patrick Clancy with their son Dawson and daughter Cora. Credit: Facebook Patrick wants to keep sensitive evidence out of the media His wish includes limiting public access to crime scene and autopsy photographs, images of the children's clothing, and a recording of the emergency 911 call he made after discovering them at the family's home. In court papers, Patrick’s representatives argued that publicly displaying the material could cause lasting emotional harm to the family and would undermine the dignity and memory of the three children. While the request does not aim to prevent the judge and jury from seeing relevant evidence, it asks that the sensitive material be kept hidden from the media and therefore wider public access. The request comes as jury selection concluded in the closely watched trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three children before attempting to take her own life by jumping from a second-story window. Clancy survived the fall but suffered severe injuries and is now paralyzed from the waist down. Patrick with the couple's three children. Featured image credit: GoFundMe Lindsay is using severe postpartum psychosis as her defense Prosecutors argue that Lindsay used exercise bands to strangle the children while her husband was away. Cora and Dawson died shortly after they were found, while Callan died several days later in hospital. The mom-of-three then attempted to take her own life by jumping from a second-story window. Lindsay has pleaded not guilty. Her defense will likely argue that she was experiencing severe postpartum psychosis and so is not criminally responsible for her actions. The case has attracted national attention because of the competing arguments over Lindsay’s mental state and the circumstances surrounding the children's deaths . Her now-ex-husband is expected to testify during the trial and has previously supported claims that she was suffering from serious mental health problems. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org . Featured image credit: Facebook

Jul 25, 2026