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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — During the opening day of Jordan Allen’s murder trial, the defense and prosecution presented contrasting approaches to the jury.
Allen stands accused of the April 2022 murders of his 7-year-old brother, Jessie Allen, and his grandmother, Sherry Cole, in Greene County. At the time, Allen was 16 years old.
Charged with two counts of first-degree murder, Allen’s case was transferred to criminal court to be tried as an adult, despite him being a minor when the alleged crimes occurred.
Once the jury was assembled on Monday, both sides made emotional appeals. The defense team, consisting of public defender Todd Estep and Ally Richie, portrayed Allen as a “traumatized, exhausted, and isolated child” who was coerced into confessing to crimes he did not commit.
The defense referred to 2022 court filings that stated Allen confessed to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agents about the murders of his brother and grandmother, allegedly admitting he had planned the acts.
Prosecutors relied on that alleged confession in their opening arguments.
Allen’s defense also told jurors about his own account of April 24, 2022. Allen alleged that his grandfather, Bill Cole, killed Jessie Allen and Sherry Cole.
Three witnesses were called to the stand on Monday to either testify to Allen’s character and upbringing or recount their experiences related to the deaths.
One of the witnesses who testified on Monday was Greene County sheriff’s deputy Rick Williams, who is also the brother of Sherry Cole. Williams arrived at the scene the night of the alleged murders as an off-duty officer.
“They were both just facedown, side by side,” Williams said. “And I know what death looks like, so I stepped away and continued talking to 911, telling them we needed everybody and just get everyone out there to help.”
Williams also said he did not believe Bill Cole was responsible for the deaths of Jessie Allen and Sherry Cole. According to Williams, he had never witnessed Bill Cole raise his voice or lose his temper toward his wife or grandsons.
WASHINGTON – After suffering a significant defeat in the primary elections, Louisiana’s Republican Senator Bill Cassidy returned to the U.S. Capitol on Monday evening, expressing no remorse over his decisive vote to convict former President Donald Trump during the impeachment trial five years ago.
“I cast my vote to protect the Constitution. Losing my seat is a small price to pay,” Cassidy remarked to the press at the Capitol. “Having the opportunity to stand by the Constitution is truly something to be proud of, isn’t it?”
Senator Cassidy’s loss in the Republican primary came on Saturday after Trump extended his endorsement to one of Cassidy’s challengers. Despite his ongoing efforts to reassure constituents of his support for Trump, his conviction vote in the impeachment trial following the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection proved pivotal.
For years, Cassidy had been tight-lipped when questioned about his impeachment stance, often sidestepping inquiries in the Capitol’s corridors. Yet now, he boldly declares his sense of satisfaction.
“I stand here as a patriot, feeling immensely proud of my service to my country, the Constitution, and my fellow citizens,” Cassidy stated. “Isn’t it something we all aspire to—to affirm our commitment to the Constitution during significant times? That’s precisely how I feel. I’m genuinely content with my decision.”
He now joins a club of Republican lawmakers who have crossed Trump and lost. It remains unclear whether he will join GOP colleagues like North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who has become more outspoken since he announced his retirement last year. Cassidy wouldn’t directly criticize Trump on Monday evening, saying that “people want me to say negative things, but I’m saying positive things.”
Still, he did hint that he may have more to say, telling reporters he is undecided on how he will vote on the next Democratic measure to halt the Iran war and criticizing a new nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies who believe they have been unjustly investigated and persecuted — potentially including people who were prosecuted and later pardoned for their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
Cassidy’s Senate colleagues respond with stony silence
As Cassidy reflected on his two terms in the Senate, his GOP colleagues still loyal to Trump were mostly quiet or dispassionate about his loss.
“Bill’s loss was predictable, and Bill knew it,” said his Louisiana colleague, Republican Sen. John Kennedy.
Kennedy said Cassidy decided to run anyway, “and I respect that, and I thank him for his service. We’re running on to a runoff now and we’ve got two fine people in the runoff.”
Cassidy’s vote to convict Trump five years ago “was an issue, there’s no question,” Kennedy said.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s closest allies, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday that “those who try to destroy Trump politically, stand in the way of his agenda, are going to lose.”
Trump agreed, posting over the weekend on social media that “it’s nice to see that his political career is OVER!”
Only Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, one of six other Republicans who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial, said she regrets that Cassidy won’t be returning to the Senate.
His defeat “certainly has implications for us here,” she said. “I’ve appreciated working with him and his leadership.”
Cassidy’s path since impeachment has been fraught
Until Saturday, Cassidy was also silent on most controversies involving Trump. And he worked hard to show that he was supportive of the president, most significantly by eventually supporting the nomination of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. even after questioning Kennedy’s skepticism of vaccines. As a doctor and the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Cassidy’s vote was crucial.
Cassidy wouldn’t say Monday if he regretted that vote. He compared the vote to a bad date in high school and said “life is lived forward.”
He was more outspoken about Trump’s new “anti-weaponization fund,” which is part of a settlement that resolves the president’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns.
While other Republicans dodged questions on the fund as they returned to Washington on Monday evening, telling reporters they didn’t know enough about it or just declining to weigh in, Cassidy said he doesn’t see any precedent for it.
“We are a nation of laws,” Cassidy said. “You can’t just make up things.”
Congress should have a say, he said, adding that people he met on the campaign trail “are concerned about making their own ends meet, not about putting the slush fund together without a legal precedent.”
Cassidy says he is ‘at peace’ with his vote, but it followed him
Cassidy’s support for Trump’s conviction in the February 2021 impeachment trial was a surprise, after the mild-mannered doctor had been mostly supportive of — or at least reluctant to challenge — Trump through his first term. He wrestled with how to vote for days beforehand and declined to comment on the trial before casting his vote.
He was one of seven Republicans to vote to convict as the Senate eventually acquitted Trump. The only other two remaining in the Senate are Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who is up for reelection as well in her much more moderate state.
Cassidy said after the vote in 2021 that he was “at peace” with his decision. But it dogged him for the full five years, and became much more of an issue when Trump was reelected and Cassidy was running again.
When asked Monday if he would run for office again, Cassidy made a subtle dig at Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss and his false claims that led to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by his supporters.
“I respect democracy,” Cassidy said. “So right now that door just seems to be shut.”
___
Associated Press writers Steven Sloan, Joey Cappelletti and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Authorities have identified the suspected shooters in a tragic incident outside a San Diego mosque where three people lost their lives. The individuals named are Cain Clark, aged 17, and Caleb Velasquez, aged 18, as reported by a law enforcement source.
According to information from The Post, one of the suspects reportedly took a firearm from a parent’s residence and left behind a suicide note that expressed sentiments of racial pride. Clark, who attended Madison High School, was known for his achievements in wrestling, as highlighted on the school’s social media page.
Tragically, both Clark and Velasquez were discovered deceased inside a BMW just a few blocks from the Islamic Center of San Diego. The cause of death was determined to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Investigators found anti-Islamic writings in the vehicle, and the firearms involved in the attack were marked with hate speech, according to the source.
Law enforcement officials received a report at approximately 9:42 a.m. regarding a runaway teenager from a concerned mother. After interacting with her, the police assessed that the individual posed a significant threat to the public.
The mother reportedly expressed concerns that her son was suicidal and noted the disappearance of several firearms and her vehicle. She also mentioned that her son was accompanied by a friend and that both were dressed in camouflage, according to police statements.
The police would not clarify whether or not the missing person was involved in the shooting, though most of the details line up with what The Post was told.
Three adults, including a hero security guard believed to be Amin Abdullah, were killed in the shooting.
The two suspects fled in a white BMW, police said during a press conference Monday afternoon.
“We are safe, the entire school is safe. All the kids, all the staff, and the teachers are safe and out of the Islamic Center,” center Imam Taha Hassane said in a video obtained by the California Post and circulated among California’s Muslim community.
Authorities said officers swarmed the Islamic Center within four minutes of the first emergency calls, launching what police described as a fast-moving and “dynamic” response.
Between 50 and 100 officers entered the Islamic Center during the response as police searched classrooms, prayer areas, and surrounding buildings.
The investigation remains ongoing and authorities have yet to release a motive.
Disney is taking steps to address a beloved pastime among its theme park enthusiasts, as the company seeks to curb a thriving secondary market.
This unique hobby has long held a special place in the hearts of fans, but its popularity has surged in recent years, sparking a lucrative resale market. In this arena, collectors have been willing to shell out extraordinary amounts, with prices reaching up to $75,000.
If you haven’t guessed, the high-demand items in question are none other than the official Disney souvenir pins.
Disney offers an exclusive range of these pins, which showcase attractions within the parks, beloved Disney characters, special events, holidays, and limited-edition celebrations.
At Disney theme parks, fans can participate in the tradition of pin trading, swapping up to two pins daily with both cast members and other collectors. This tradition, akin to a scavenger hunt, operates largely on an honor system.
Most fans collect the pins casually as souvenirs, while a dedicated hard core of enthusiasts obsess over completing full sets and tracking down elusive ‘hidden Disney’ pins – rare designs that can only be obtained through trades with cast members.
But now the practice is now facing scrutiny from Disney headquarters, which is grappling with resellers whose behavior violates park rules, including restrictions on what can be traded.
The controversy has also reignited debate over how much is too much for Disney adults at the theme parks, as die-hard pin enthusiasts clutter up open space and benches with pin board displays.
The happiest place on earth faces new threats to the common peace in a brewing battle over souvenir pins
Die-hard pin enthusiasts are seen cluttering up open space and benches with pin board displays. Pictured, traders swap their collectible pins at EPCOT in Orlando on Friday
Pin trading has long been a nostalgic pastime for fans, but the hobby has exploded in popularity in recent years
One park visitor who was at ECOPT in Orlando last week ranted to the Daily Mail over how much space the traders were occupying.
‘These lowlife ‘pin trader’ losers have taken up every bench in this area!’ they vented.
Indeed, Disney has admitted that pin-crazy fans with massive pin boards and elaborate displays are slowing foot traffic for visitors who are already navigating packed schedules during their days in the park.
Complaints from fans began pouring in after visitors found the sprawling pin board displays took up valuable space on park benches meant for guests looking for a rest during the day.
The backlash prompted Disneyland to update its pin-trading rules in 2023, specifically banning the ‘use of benches’ and confining traders to a designated area near the Westward Ho Trading Company shop.
Under the updated policy, traders were limited to one bag of pins and prohibited from using ‘additional decorations.’
However, this didn’t limit resellers, as many pass holders were found to hoard the most valuable souvenirs and resell them on sites like eBay, which not only inflated prices but also created shortages for other park guests.
For instance, a rare Donald Duck pin was listed on eBay for $75,000, and various Jessica Rabbit pins are selling between $45,000 to $50,000, despite company rules saying pins couldn’t be traded for ‘monies, gifts, vouchers, receipts, or multiple pins for one pin’.
Now, Disney is ramping up its crackdown, distributing flyers around the park of new rules that would effectively bring this tradition to a close, according to the Orange County Register.
As of May 19, ‘guests will no longer be able to set up stationary pin trading spaces in front of Westward Ho Trading Company in Disneyland Park or other areas around the resort,’ the flyer specifies.
A rare Donald Duck pin was listed on eBay for $75,000
There are dozens of Facebook groups dedicated to the activity and meetups are held every few months in cities across the globe so people can compare and swap pins
Disneyland updated its pin-trading rules in 2023, specifically banning the ‘use of benches’ and confining traders to a designated area near the Westward Ho Trading Company shop
‘Guests can continue pin trading using a lanyard or other small handheld pin trading accessory.’
In addition to the ban, the Westward Ho is set to become a kids-only trading spot on May 22 as a part of Disneyland’s Kid Rule Summer – a $50 per ticket deal for kids that will last through the season.
This decision drew mixed reactions online, with one Redditor commenting that the ruling came as ‘no surprise’.
‘People who want to turn Disney parks into their side business have ruined it for everyone else,’ they wrote.
Another commenter recalled visiting the park with her nieces and nephews, only to be met with rude pin traders who treated the pins as investment items rather than a fun hobby.
Others weren’t so happy with the decision, with one user writing: ‘Very clever of them to claim it will become a ‘kids’ area- clearly they have done that so that people cannot complain without looking uncharitable to kids.’
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina lawmakers began an in-depth review Monday of a proposal to reconfigure the state’s congressional districts. This discussion could evolve into an extensive debate over whether to align with President Donald Trump’s aim for a Republican-dominated U.S. House map.
States like Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana have already witnessed heated exchanges as Republicans strive to capitalize on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that minimized the Voting Rights Act’s protections for minority districts. This ruling has allowed Republicans to consider redrawing districts with significant Black populations that traditionally support Democrats.
However, in South Carolina, some Republicans express hesitation about redrawing the district of U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state’s sole Democratic representative among its seven in the U.S. House.
State Rep. Nathan Ballentine pointed out that Clyburn’s presence in Congress has likely brought more federal projects and funding to South Carolina. He noted that when asked, more than half of consistently voting Republicans—those who participated in at least four recent GOP primaries—opposed the redistricting plan.
“My mama raised me to know that just because you can, doesn’t mean you should,” Ballentine remarked.
Clyburn has said he has no intention of retiring, even if his district gets changed.
Redistricting ripples spreading through states
Last month’s Supreme Court decision striking down a Black-majority congressional district in Louisiana has led to reversals in several other redistricting cases. On Monday, the Supreme Court vacated lower court decisions on state legislative districts in Mississippi and North Dakota and directed them to be reconsidered in light of the Louisiana ruling.
It took a similar action last week for Alabama’s congressional districts, creating an opening for Republican state officials to try to use a map in the midterm elections that could help the party win an additional seat.
Redistricting typically occurs at the start of each decade, based on new population figures from the census.
South Carolina’s debate showed the complexity of changing congressional district boundaries mid-decade. An amendment adopted Monday would allow dozens of state board members chosen by congressional districts — including college trustees, utility regulators and parole board members — to stay in their positions until after the 2030 census, even under the new congressional map.
Democratic state Rep. Annie McDaniel said it was an example of how congressional redistricting outside normal procedures causes other problems.
“We’re talking confusion on top of confusion on top of confusion,” McDaniel said.
Monday’s session ended with Republicans voting nearly unanimously to limit debate. Each House member will be allowed one amendment and just three minutes to advocate for their change to the bill. There were over 600 amendments on the desk when the change was made.
Democratic Rep. Spencer Wetmore said she doesn’t know of any other time that the House has limited the number of amendments filed.
“We’re changing the rules in the middle of the game,” Wetmore said.
South Carolina looks at changing congressional primaries
Some absentee and overseas military votes have already been cast for South Carolina’s June 9 primaries. Early in-person voting is scheduled to begin May 26.
In addition to redrawing congressional districts, legislation pending in the state House would move the U.S. House primaries to August. If it clears the House, the legislation then must go to the Senate.
Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who called lawmakers into a special session on redistricting, said it is important for South Carolina to send as many Republicans to Washington as possible to try to prevent Democrats from taking control of the House and attempting to impeach Trump.
But some Republicans have expressed concern that an attempt to draw a 7-0 House map for the party could spread Republican voters too thin, making some current Republican-held districts susceptible to Democratic victories.
Republicans are ahead in the national redistricting battle thus far. Since Trump urged Texas Republicans to redistrict last year, Republicans think they could gain as many as 15 seats from new House maps in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama. Democrats, meanwhile, think they could gain six seats from new maps in California and Utah. But litigation is ongoing in some states, and voters will have the final say on who wins.
A coalition of journalists, podcasters, and voice actors in Illinois has filed lawsuits against several prominent technology firms, accusing them of unauthorized use of voice data to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
The legal actions claim that these companies have infringed upon the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting and utilizing voice recordings without obtaining proper consent.
CHICAGO (WLS) — Residents of Chicago have just a few days remaining to catch the debut of “Fault” at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Directed by Jason Alexander, best known for his role on “Seinfeld,” the play delves into a narrative woven with desire and betrayal, examining who has the courage to confront the reasons behind it.
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The ensemble shared with ABC7’s Hosea Sanders their insights into this gripping dark comedy. The plot centers around a long-married couple, who are compelled to face the realities of unfaithfulness.
Chicago’s own Rebecca Spence embraces her role in the production with enthusiasm.
“It’s a deep dive into the lives of people who care for each other and have pledged their commitment, yet still have room for personal growth,” Spence explained. “The play challenges the audience to reflect on their own relationships and provides a chance to explore these themes with loved ones. The Chicago theater scene is phenomenal, marked by its close-knit, supportive nature and a strong work ethic that we all take pride in.”
Enrico Colantoni plays the husband, quick to assign blame.
When asked what appealed to Colantoni about this story, he said, “The humor of it. It’s hysterically funny. It has elements of farce. It has a lot of heart, a lot of soul. Let’s laugh about the miracle of any relationship, the miracle of anybody coming together and surviving, no matter how they do it.”
Nick Marini plays the young man looking for love in dangerous places.
“It is an education every day as an actor to get to work with people you look up to, to get to work with people whose work you appreciate,” Marini said. “I’m thrilled to be in Chicago. It’s a great town. It welcomed me for my first television show. To be here again for my first big theater it feels like a full-circle moment.”
Marini also spoke about directed by Alexander.
“He’s a real mentor to me. Just to watch the way that he treats others on set or at the theater, I learned a lot about leadership and kindness,” Marini said.
Spence added, “To be able to learn about pace and time and comedy from an icon like him, you don’t say no to that.”
“You’re in for a really fun ride. Once we get going, we never really stop. It’s funny. It’s moving at times. It tackles things that are important, and it does it in a way that’s witty and fun,” Marini said.
“Fault” is at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier through Sunday.
A courageous young boy from Alabama, battling a rare and aggressive bone cancer, has just concluded his second week of groundbreaking experimental treatment. His journey into the public eye began with a moving video, secretly uploaded to his mother’s Facebook account, which quickly went viral and drew attention from high-profile figures such as President Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
At just fifteen, Will Roberts took to social media on April 22, at a pivotal moment in his 16-month struggle with stage 4 osteosarcoma. By then, the relentless cancer had spread throughout his body, ultimately resulting in the amputation of his leg.
In an emotional and direct appeal, Will sought assistance in obtaining DeltaRex-G, an elusive experimental gene therapy he believed might be his final hope after conventional treatments and numerous surgeries had failed to halt the cancer’s advance.
Will’s family shared that his intent in making the video went beyond his own needs; he aimed to alleviate some of the stress on his mother and to raise awareness for other children who find themselves in similar situations, even if the treatment could not save him.
“Hey, this is Will, and my mom doesn’t know I’m doing this,” Will stated in his heartfelt Facebook post. “Y’all please share this. My mom might be mad, but I’m trying to help her in any way I can right now. I need this to reach President Donald Trump or Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. So if anyone knows these two, please help me out and get in touch with my mom.”
After the video went viral, Will and his parents relocated to Santa Monica, California, in early May after he was granted access to the experimental treatment.
“We’ve had two doctors look well in the face and tell him that they’ve never had a survivor at his stage,” Jason Roberts, Will’s father, told Fox News Digital in an interview. “That was enough for me and Brittney to get on the ball and, you know, try to find an alternative treatment.”
Will was first diagnosed with the rare pediatric bone cancer in January 2025 after experiencing severe leg pain that was initially dismissed as growing pains.
After his leg was amputated, doctors reportedly discovered that the cancer had aggressively spread to his bladder, leading to a massive pelvic surgery.
Two doctors eventually told them they had never seen a survivor at Will’s advanced stage, the family said.
Because traditional chemotherapy offered little hope — and with osteosarcoma therapies having remained largely unchanged for decades — the family said they became determined to explore alternative options.
They eventually discovered DeltaRex-G, an experimental tumor-targeted gene therapy that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce one batch, the family said.
According to data from Clinics in Oncology, the therapy has shown relatively mild side effects and has been fast-tracked in countries such as the Philippines.
However, such treatment has faced significant hurdles in the U.S., where it has yet to complete the FDA approval process and remains difficult to access due to limited availability and long waiting lists.
“I don’t care if they have to remove mama from the White House steps, I’m going to make sure that our plea gets heard,” Brittney, Will’s mother, said. “At that point, we joked and said he got scared his mom was going to be toted off in a straitjacket somewhere. So he made the video.”
After Brittney joked about the lengths she would go to secure access to the drug, she said her son decided to take matters into his own hands.
Will, who had access to his mother’s Facebook account to read supportive messages from followers, secretly recorded and posted his own video plea.
Will Roberts sits with family in clinic in Santa Monica, California(Brittney Battles Roberts/Facebook)
The video quickly gained national traction, helping raise more than $700,000 in GoFundMe donations and drawing support from several high-profile figures.
“President Trump, Dr. Oz, RFK Jr., I mean, there’s been so many people, Katie Britt, have truly helped us push this,” Jason said.
On May 11, Trump sent the Roberts family a surprising video message in which he expressed support for the family.
Dr. Mehmet Oz and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also worked to help the family gain access to DeltaRex-G, coordinating with California developers of the drug to expedite its availability under federal “Right to Try” protocols.
Since starting the treatment two weeks ago alongside a dual chemotherapy regimen, Will said he has experienced only mild side effects, including body aches.
While Will’s viral social media plea helped the family overcome major financial and bureaucratic hurdles, his parents said the video was ultimately motivated by his desire to help other children gain access to more promising alternative therapies.
“It was nothing more than a child’s pure heart speaking out, but as I said earlier, I think the reason that it went viral is because of his selflessness in the video. And he was like, you know, it might be too late for me, but if it can help others, I want to help others,” Jason said.
“We just hope and pray that the bureaucracy and the red tape can be cut through to where a drug with true promise can reach the American people without all the stuff that gets involved.”
The Roberts family also attributed their endurance and success to their strong faith, believing God helped move mountains to get Will opportunities.
“You know, without God, I don’t think any of this would be possible. In fact, I know it would not be possible because we’ve seen mountains moved along this journey,” Jason added.
Bonny Chu is a Digital Production Assistant at Fox News Digital.
Authorities report that a man came dangerously close to colliding with triathlon participants several times during the race’s Five Points segment, necessitating the use of a PIT maneuver to bring him to a halt.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On Saturday, a Jacksonville resident was taken into custody after allegedly driving under the influence and endangering competitors in the city’s first-ever Jacksonville Ironman event.
Sixty-two-year-old Darrell Simon is currently held on a bond exceeding $215,000, facing eight felony charges alongside numerous misdemeanor counts.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated that officers stationed near the triathlon course in Five Points observed a vehicle recklessly veering into the athletes’ path around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The driver, identified as Simon, reportedly ignored commands to stop, prompting a police chase.
This story continues below.
Footage from officers’ cameras shows the car coming perilously close to participants multiple times as it raced toward Riverside Park. The pursuit concluded with a PIT maneuver, leading to Simon’s arrest. The arrest report further notes that the suspect allegedly collided with another vehicle, causing damage on Riverside Park Place.
The sheriff’s office says this is Simon’s third DUI arrest in the past 10 years. Court records show Simon is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges in early June as of this publication.
“We understand many people were not fans of the traffic delays on Saturday, but we closed lanes and roads to keep the athletes and spectators safe,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “This incident could’ve led to a tragedy and we’re grateful the officers’ quick actions stopped anyone from possibly getting hurt or killed.”
Traffic control and road closure awareness were an issue throughout the event, and two bicyclists were involved in collisions with vehicles, according to a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue spokesperson. No life-threatening injuries were reported in connection with those crashes, which both happened in St. Johns County.
Federal law is meant to prevent such scenarios, and even California Governor Gavin Newsom has labeled them as unjust. Nonetheless, this past Saturday witnessed an unusual development at the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Sectionals competition.
At the event, AB Hernandez, a male athlete, took the top spots in the girls’ high jump, triple jump, and long jump categories. His impressive performances are likely to secure him a position at the state championships scheduled for later this month.
The CIF made the decision to allow the top-ranking female athletes in each event to share the podium with Hernandez. This move subtly acknowledges two undeniable truths: Hernandez is male, and the female athletes have faced an unfair competitive environment for years as a result.
This situation has led to a growing list of female athletes who have been displaced in competitions, a reality that has become all too familiar.
The list of displaced girls is so long at this point that we’ve stopped flinching.
High jumper Reese Hogan is one of them; she’s been forced off the podium’s top spot by Hernandez over and over again.
“It’s just really disappointing to go into a competition knowing you already lost,” Hogan has said.
Everyone knows men and women are different.
Everyone knows women’s sports exist because males are, on average, faster, stronger and possess greater physical advantages in nearly every athletic domain.
Those are simple truths — but the truth is we’re not yet winning.
We’ve had major successes: In 2025, President Donald Trump’s executive order directed federal agencies to protect women’s sports by recognizing biological sex.
The International Olympic Committee has announced new rules safeguarding women’s events at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Many states, 27 currently, now have protective laws.
Polls show roughly 80% of Americans believe the women’s category should be for women only.
But despite this reality, 23 states still allow gender identity to override biological sex.
Boys continue to take titles, scholarships, records and opportunities from female athletes.
California’s Hernandez is just one example; it’s happening in pools, on tracks and on fields nationwide.
And the silent majority bears responsibility.
Brave girls are left to forfeit competitions, speak out at school board meetings and file lawsuits, while the 80% who agree with them stand by mute.
Children are carrying a burden adults should shoulder — but won’t.
Why? Fear of the bullying 20%.
Transgender athlete AB Hernandez competes in the girls’ high jump at the Arcadia Invitational. AP
The upcoming Supreme Court decision in Little v. Hecox, expected in June, will be telling.
A ruling for biological reality would simply allow the 27 protective states to enforce their laws; it won’t force the other 23 to change.
A “win” won’t signal progress — it will just mean we won’t slip backward.
For Reese Hogan, who must still compete against Hernandez, nothing will change.
So the fight is far from over.
Yes, all 50 states need laws protecting women’s sports.
Here in Colorado, I’m chairing a grassroots ballot initiative to do just that.
But legal protections, while essential, aren’t enough: We must also change the culture.
Currently, persistently, our institutions — the media, universities and corporate America — are both occupied by and beholden to the 20% .
Watch, for example, who the media chooses to humanize.
The Los Angeles Times gave a sympathetic platform to Hernandez’s mother, a parent determined to keep her male child competing against girls.
It hasn’t profiled Reese Hogan, or the other female athletes displaced for years.
That’s an editorial choice — one that creates the illusion of a societal consensus that doesn’t exist.
Nike reportedly imposes contract provisions on its star female athletes, barring them from speaking out about the protection of women’s sports.
Officers and coaches at universities instruct female athletes not to publicly defend their own sports; some who wanted to join our team at XX-XY Athletics have had to bow out because of it.
Advocates for the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee threaten athletes that if they do speak up, they’ll risk their standing in the Olympic movement.
That’s how entrenched transgender ideology has become.
When the institutions built to protect athletes quietly punish the ones who dissent, the problem isn’t the law; it’s the culture.
The 20% is entirely comfortable running roughshod over women who dare to stand in their own defense.
Culture only changes when the pressure to change finally outweighs the comfort of doing nothing.
And women’s sports are worth saving.
They represent opportunity, fairness and the recognition that sex-based differences matter.
Teenage girls, who know the stakes better than anyone, have shown extraordinary courage — but we can’t keep placing the burden on them.
The grown-ups who have submitted to being bullied into silence must screw up their courage and join them.
Jennifer Sey is founder and CEO of XX-XY Athletics.
