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Toyota is recalling 162,000 vehicles over screen issue – check if you’re affected

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Toyota is recalling 162,000 vehicles over screen issue - check if you’re affected

Toyota is recalling 162,000 of its fan-favorite trucks in the United States.

The recall affects model year 2024-2025 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid line of trucks.

The car manufacturing giant said the vehicles’ multimedia displays could compromise driver safety.

The Japanese automaker warns that the screens may “become stuck on a camera view” or go completely dark under certain circumstances.

Affected customers are currently being notified, according to a statement from Toyota, and should receive notice by late March.

The rearview image may not be displayed while the vehicle is being reversed

The rearview image may not be displayed while the vehicle is being reversed (AP)

This could create situations where drivers aren’t able to see their backup camera feed when reversing.

”The vehicle may not meet a federal safety standard, and there can be an increased risk of a crash with a person behind the vehicle,” Toyota wrote.

The company said dealers will update the Parking Assist ECU software free of charge.

Drivers can visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information to see if their vehicle is affected by a recall.

Parents’ relentless hunt for missing daughter heats up as new tech breathes life into case

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Parents’ relentless hunt for missing daughter heats up as new tech breathes life into case

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Two decades after Jennifer Kesse mysteriously disappeared, her parents say they continue to search for their daughter every day as emerging technology gives them a sense of optimism.

Jennifer Kesse was 24 years old when she vanished on January 24, 2006, after failing to show up for work in Orlando, Florida. In an interview with Fox News affiliate WTVT, marking 20 years since her disappearance, her parents, Drew and Joyce Kesse, described how the passage of time has not brought closure.

“We look for Jennifer pretty much every day,” they said. “It seems like an eternity. It seems that we’re still living in a surreal state.”

FATHER’S PURSUIT FOR MISSING DAUGHTER HEATS UP WITH NEW EVIDENCE IN CASE THAT’S NO LONGER COLD

Florida investigators have reignited the search for Jennifer Kesse after her Orlando disappearance on Jan. 24, 2006. (Fox News/Courtesy of the Kesse Family)

Jennifer’s car was later found about a mile from her home. Surveillance video showed a person of interest parking her car and walking away, but the individual’s face was not visible.

Drew previously shared with Fox News Digital that after Jennifer’s work called to report that she failed to show, he immediately tried to reach his daughter – relying on a family rule that they would always answer each other’s calls – but her phone went straight to voicemail. 

“I knew something was wrong immediately,” Kesse said. 

Jennifer Kesse smiling in a photograph

Jennifer Kesse, 24, was reported missing after she failed to show up for her work on Jan. 24, 2006. (WTTV)

JONBENET RAMSEY CASE COULD BENEFIT FROM NEW DNA TECHNOLOGY AS POLICE RENEW COMMITMENT

Drew and Joyce made the two-hour drive from their home in Tampa to Orlando, where they found their daughter’s apartment empty with several outfit choices laid out on her bed. 

The parents immediately called the Orlando Police Department (OPD) to report Jennifer missing. 

“They looked around her apartment, shrugged their shoulders and said, ‘She had a fight with her boyfriend probably, she’ll be back,’” Kesse said. “They walked out. And that was Jennifer’s last chance.”

The Kesses later sued OPD to gain access to Jennifer’s case file, which spans more than 16,000 pages.

“It exhausts you. It drains you physically, mentally and emotionally, and it will in time take a toll on your actual physical health,” they told FOX 13.

With the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) now overseeing the case, the Kesses said they are pursuing new investigative approaches, including working with an artificial intelligence firm to analyze the case file and surveillance video.

One focus has been on identifying the person of interest through physical characteristics visible in the video.

“An ear is just like an eye or a fingerprint. It’s very unique to a person,” Drew said. “When we find the ear, then we’ve found the person.”

Jennifer Kesse

Jennifer Kesse and her father, Drew, open presents in an undated family photo. (Courtesy of the Kesse Family )

The Kesses also said new DNA samples were tested last year and that investigators are closer than ever to identifying several people they would like to speak with.

As they continue to wait for answers, Jennifer’s parents said they still believe she was taken shortly after disappearing.

“I personally still think that Jennifer was taken and taken out of the area — state and maybe country — very quickly,” her father said, adding that he believes she may have been targeted because she was alone.

Drew and Joyce Kesse

Drew and Joyce shared with Fox News affiliate WTTV that they will never stop searching for their daughter, Jennifer, who disappeared on Jan. 24, 2006. (KTTV)

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Now nearing 70, Jennifer’s parents said their determination has not faded since the search began two decades ago.

“Till we die,” Joyce said. “Whatever it takes. There’s no quit in us.”

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Jennifer Kesse

Jennifer Kesse smiles alongside her mother, Joyce. (Courtesy of the Kesse Family )

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Anyone with information about Jennifer’s disappearance is encouraged to contact FDLE’s Orlando office at (407) 245-0888 or OROCColdCaseTips@fdle.state.fl.us.

The OPD and the FDLE did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

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Fox News Digital’s Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.

Guy Fieri confuses fans with shock AI-generated new look on his birthday

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Guy Fieri confuses fans with shock AI-generated new look on his birthday

Guy Fieri has left fans confused after sharing the results of a so-called makeover for his 58th birthday.

The Food Network star, known for his signature blonde spiked hair, chunky diamante chains and biker-style outfits, posted a video of himself without his trademark hairdo or facial hair, instead sporting a brown haircut with a side-part.

He looked every bit normcore, wearing a checkered button-down shirt and belted beige trousers.

Fieri told the camera: “Hey there! After so many years of celebrating my birthday as Guy, I figured this year I’d celebrate it as just a guy. Happy birthday to me!”

He captioned the post: “New Year. New Guy. New Look.” Fieri also changed his profile picture on Instagram to an updated headshot with the new look.

Guy Fieri swapped his signature blonde spiked hair for a more conservative look

Guy Fieri swapped his signature blonde spiked hair for a more conservative look (Instagram via @guyfieri)
Guy Fieri’s AI-generated birthday video left fans confused

Guy Fieri’s AI-generated birthday video left fans confused (Instagram via @guyfieri)

Fans were initially shocked by his makeover before many realized the video had tell-tale signs of being AI-generated.

“I love you Mr Fieri but please don’t use AI. It makes nature sad,” one person said in the comments. “Please return to the guy we know and love!” added another.

Other fans were similarly disappointed. “This makes me uncomfortable in a way I didn’t know to be possible,” wrote one fan, as another said: “Pls stop.”

The Food Network star with his usual hairdo and facial hair, complete with his chunky necklaces

The Food Network star with his usual hairdo and facial hair, complete with his chunky necklaces (Getty)

Maneet Chauhan, a two-time winner on Fieri’s show Tournament of Champions, was amused by the post, writing in the comments: “It’s your b’day and you give us the gift of laughter! This is amazing Happy Happy Happy B’day @guyfieri.”

One fan joked: “Uncle Guy! I’ve got your slippers and today’s newspaper for you, and a nice cuppa tea. Happy birthday!!”

Fieri’s son Hunter made a playful joke about his father’s new businessman look, writing, “Dad… when did you start selling insurance?”

Fieri’s birthday celebrations come as he continues to recover from tearing his quad muscle in half after falling down the stairs while filming his show, Flavor Town Food Fight.

Guy Fieri tricked fans with a faux makeover on his 58th birthday

Guy Fieri tricked fans with a faux makeover on his 58th birthday (Getty Images)

Fieri told People earlier this month that the injury was “the worst thing” he’s experienced in the past 20 years, leaving him unable to do his regular exercise activities like hiking and CrossFit.

During his recovery, the presenter said he had developed a “real appreciation for having the ability to just get up and walk around and do everything you used to.”

The chef added that although he was eager to get back to his usual routine, his doctors warned him to be cautious.

“My doctors are all like, ‘We know you want to get after it, but let’s not go back to where we were.’ And I’m like, ‘We are never going back to that!’ That was the worst thing I’ve been through in the last 20 years,” he said.

“But now I’ll be up and ready and healthy and rolling by the time we hit the Super Bowl for sure.”

Fieri first appeared on Food Network in 2006, when he won the second season of The Next Food Network Star. He fronts the popular shows Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, which has been airing since 2007, and Guy’s Grocery Games, which has run since 2013.

National Tourism Day Survey Reveals Infrastructure Gaps Holding Back India’s Growth

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National Tourism Day Survey Reveals Infrastructure Gaps Holding Back India's Growth

State governments’ tourism-related infrastructure is still in need of further improvement as per a ‘National Tourism Day’ report by LocalCircles which stated that only 22% of the respondents reported safety, security and crowd management was effective at tourism sites over the last three years.

National Tourism Day is celebrated every year on Jan. 25, with the Uttar Pradesh government launching “a creative initiative with a special focus on engaging Gen Z, young creators, poets, writers and art enthusiasts” to mark the day, as per the report.

Public sanitation was also flagged as another concern with just 14% of the citizens who responded in the survey stating that the cleanliness of public toilets was “good”, with 23% calling it “poor”, and 38% terming them as “pathetic or very poor”.

The ticketing process was also another issue that citizens noted dissatisfaction with only 40% finding it satisfactory, and 29% indicating that it is poor.

The report named severe air pollution, poor sanitation, tech glitches in bookings, crowd mismanagement, and inadequate facilities as the major factors plaguing notable tourist sites 

“According to Tourism Ministry data, despite a weaker rupee and a global travel boom, foreign tourist inflow declined by 12.3% in the first three quarters of 2025–26,” the report said.

The survey received over 45,000 responses from citizens located in 317 districts of India. Among the respondents, 67% were men while 33% were women, 42% were from tier 1 cities, 33% from tier 2 and 25% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.

The report recommended that state governments focus on advance bookings, cooperation of local bodies and active engagement with tourism promotion boards with the tourist inputs as the avenues through which travel could be enhanced for tourists.

The tourism sector contributes 5% to India’s GDP. In 2024, India recorded Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) of 9.66 million which account for foreign exchange earnings of Rs 2.8 lakh crore with a growth of 20%, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Also Read: Republic Day Weekend: Thailand, UAE, Vietnam Key Holiday Getaways; Goa Top Domestic Spot

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Barry Williams makes bombshell claim about dating Maureen McCormick on ‘The Brady Bunch’

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Barry Williams makes bombshell claim about dating Maureen McCormick on

Barry Williams makes bombshell claim about dating Maureen McCormick on ‘The Brady Bunch’

Barry Williams is reflecting on his on-and-off romance with The Brady Bunch co-star Maureen McCormick.

The 71-year-old American actor, who portrayed Greg Brady in one of the beloved family sitcoms that aired from September 1969 to March 1974, on ABC, compared his love with McCormick to being on Love Island.

In a recent episode of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! Australia, Williams opened up about his relationship dynamics with cast members of The Brady Bunch.

He asked Matt Zukowski, who was the runner-up on the second season of Love Island Australia, “Have you ever been to Love Island?”

“Well, it’s kind of like that, you know? You look around, and you take in the environment, and you start chatting, and suddenly things are happening,” The Bradys star continued.

Williams went on to admit that McCormick, who played his sister Marcia Brady in The Brady Bunch, stated that she was “the hottest girl on television at the time and cute as could be.”

He stated that their relationship grew in an environment where the cast shared an amazing bond with one another.

The Growing Up Brady alum mentioned, “We were the only people we knew and liked and cared about.”

“We had a great time together. And the rest of the kids all got together, either dating or being very friendly,” Barry Williams noted.

‘Tell Me Lies’ stars explain THAT new romantic twist in seaosn 3

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'Tell Me Lies' stars explain THAT new romantic twist in seaosn 3

‘Tell Me Lies’ stars explain surprising hidden romance 

Tell Me Lies has thrown its cast with a new twist: a romance between Bree and Wrigley.

During the latest episode of the Hulu hit, a scene from Bree (Cat Missal) and Evan’s (Branden Cook) wedding showed that the bride had a romance with Wrigley (Spencer House).

Cook was one cast member to take his time to adjust to the twist.

“It was an adjustment — obviously — just in terms of where does that leave everything and how do we work through this triangle now,” Cook told Us Weekly.

He asked, “How does that affect everybody’s relationship?”

While it was “fun” to discover the twist, he joked that now fans won’t root for Bree and Evans.

“Nobody is rooting for Evan ever. But it was cool and it’s funny,” he quipped. “Any time you add an element like that, it makes the job a lot more fun. The more drama, the better.”

Missal thinks the arc has given the show a more interesting turn.

“Honestly, I think [Bree and Wrigley’s] relationship offers the dynamic of the show a bit of relief. I think people were yearning for that and I think the writers were so smart in doing that,” she told Us. “It’s a really beautiful thing.”

“For Bree, she’s just searching for security and searching for a truth that she’s not getting with most of these relationships in her life. And Wrigley opens that door a little bit for her,” she explained.

Season 3 of Tell Me Lies is streaming on Hulu with weekly episode drops on Tuesdays.

Foodie At Heart? These Michelin-Approved Food Destinations Are Worth Travelling For In 2026

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Foodie At Heart? These Michelin-Approved Food Destinations Are Worth Travelling For In 2026

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From Venice’s lagoon cooking to Cappadocia’s ancient flavours, Michelin’s 2026 picks spotlight destinations where good food alone is reason enough to travel

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Manchester City thrash Wolves | The Express Tribune

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wolverhampton wanderers mateus mane in action with manchester city s tijjani reijnders photo reuters

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Mateus Mane in action with Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders. Photo: REUTERS


MANCHESTER:

Manchester City returned to winning ways with a 2-0 defeat of bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers moving them four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday, while at the other end of the table West Ham United continued their revival.

City manager Pep Guardiola left leading scorer Erling Haaland out of the starting line-up but they got their first league win in nearly a month thanks to goals by Omar Marmoush and new signing Antoine Semenyo.

Arsenal, who host fifth-placed Manchester United on Sunday, have 50 points with City on 46 having played a game more.

West Ham beat Sunderland 3-1 for a second successive league win, with captain Jarrod Bowen setting a club record with an assist and a goal in the win at the London Stadium.

They remain third from bottom but have closed the gap on 17th-placed Nottingham Forest to two points ahead of Forest’s Sunday game at Brentford.

Second-from-bottom Burnley drew a third successive Premier League game as Cristian Romero’s late equaliser for Tottenham Hotspur in a 2-2 draw denied them a precious victory.

Fulham moved up to seventh in the table as they came from a goal down to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 — Harry Wilson scoring with a brilliant late free kick at Craven Cottage.

Yasin Ayari had put Brighton in front in the first half but substitute Samuel Chukwueze equalised.

City went into their clash with improving Wolves on a barren run of three draws and one defeat from their previous four league games and with this week’s 3-1 defeat at Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League still fresh in their minds.

Their slump has allowed Arsenal to forge clear at the top and has coincided with Haaland’s loss of form with the Norwegian scoring only once in his last eight games in all competitions before the game against Wolves.

Guardiola said the striker was ‘exhausted’ after an intense fixture schedule and his decision to freshen things up against Wolves paid dividends.

Starting ahead of Haaland in his first league action since the Africa Cup of Nations, Marmoush put City ahead in the sixth minute with his first league goal of the season, firing home from Matheus Nunes’s cross.

Semenyo, signed two weeks ago from Bournemouth, doubled City’s lead in first-half stoppage time with his first league goal for the club, unleashing a fierce low shot past Jose Sa.

City gave a debut to centre back Marc Guehi, signed earlier in the week from Crystal Palace, while Haaland came off the bench in the 74th minute.

Bowen passes club record

West Ham’s 2-1 victory last week at Tottenham appears to have ignited a survival bid and they produced a strong first-half against mid-table Sunderland.

“The message before the game was just keep building on what we’ve been doing,” Bowen said.

They took the lead in the 14th minute when Bowen’s lofted cross was headed in by Crysencio Summerville.

Bowen made it 2-0 from the penalty spot following Trai Hume’s foul on Ollie Scarles, with Mateus Fernandes adding a third just before halftime with a long-range strike.

Bowen’s assist for the opener took him past Michail Antonio’s goal involvements record for West Ham and he now has 103 — 63 goals and 40 assists.

 “For me the most important thing is the team and helping getting out of the situation that we’re in,” Bowen added.

Tottenham were heading for a third successive league defeat that would have put the pressure firmly back on manager Thomas Frank after Tuesday’s morale-boosting Champions League win at home to Borussia Dortmund had lifted it a notch.

Frank’s team led at halftime with a Micky van de Ven goal but Burnley turned it around and went in front after the break with goals by Axel Tuanzebe and substitute Lyle Foster.

Romero, who also scored against Dortmund, rewarded Tottenham’s intense late pressure with a thumping header levelling it up in the 89th minute.

Campus Radicals: Union member tell-all, Dems back to DEI ways, more violent leftist threats on campus

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Campus Radicals: Union member tell-all, Dems back to DEI ways, more violent leftist threats on campus

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Teachers unions largely stole the Campus Radicals show last week, dominating coverage in Fox News Digital’s investigative series, which included a whistleblower tell-all from a current National Education Association (NEA) member. 

In other news, one blue state moved to reinstate DEI into the classroom, while a college Republican was threatened with death by a left-wing agitator on campus. 

NEA insider blows whistle on ‘toxic’ culture and far-left politics inside teachers union: ‘It’s a cult’

“It’s a very liberal place, there’s only a handful of conservatives that work at NEA, and if you are, it’s like you just don’t say anything, because it’s a very toxic environment if you do say something,” an NEA employee, who is remaining anonymous due to concerns of retribution, told Fox News Digital. “It’s crazy, they’ll send out this weekly newsletter of ‘Trump’s a fascist’ and blast it to all the states.”

“It’s a cult. It’s 100% a cult and if you don’t have their mindset, you’re the enemy.”

National Education Association President Becky Pringle joins parents, educators, community leaders, and elected officials at a rally outside the U.S. Capitol to defend public education ahead of Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing on February 12, 2025 in Washington, DC.  (Paul Morigi/Getty Images for National Education Association)

Unearthed docs reveal top teachers union funneling millions to far left causes

One of the nation’s most prominent teachers unions funneled millions of dollars in union funds to far-left activist groups, ballot initiatives and social justice organizations, according to federal labor filings.

The NEA, which boasts more than 3 million members, sent $300,000 to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a liberal dark money group Fox News Digital has reported on extensively, and tens of thousands of dollars to the Tides Foundation network, which Fox News Digital previously reported has ties to anti-Israel protests and a variety of far left causes.

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Among the largest expenditures was more than $3.5 million sent to Education International, a global teachers federation where NEA President Becky Pringle serves as a vice president. The filing also details hundreds of thousands of dollars flowing to organizations backing ballot initiatives aimed at reshaping education policy and election laws in states, including Ohio, Massachusetts, Arizona and Wisconsin.

School board member’s lawsuit claims teachers union lied about funneling money to political groups

A union watchdog organization has filed a lawsuit in tandem with a Utah teacher alleging that the Utah Education Association (UEA) falsely claimed on multiple occasions that members’ dues are not used to fund political activities.

The UEA is the state affiliate of America’s largest teachers union, the NEA. Cole Kelley, a 29-year teacher and Republican member of the Utah State Board of Education, is a co-plaintiff, along with the Freedom Foundation, which says it works to liberate public employees from political exploitation via various means, including litigation.

Utah Education association

Utah Education Association members rally at the Utah state capitol over funding on February 7, 2025.  (Credit: KTSU)

The lawsuit, filed in Utah’s 3rd District Court, alleges that the UEA made false statements on its website and social media claiming that “UEA member dues are never used for political activities.”

“I think that it’s time for the UEA to tell the teachers in Utah the truth about what they do, what they represent, what they stand for, what they’re advocating for,” said Kelley, adding that the union’s politics are clearly left-leaning.

“And I think it’s important for teachers to understand that when you join, your dollars are going towards supporting these political activities,” he said.

University sparks outrage with ‘decolonizing medicine’ course challenging ‘White body’ standard

A course offered by the University of Maryland for the 2026 spring semester is sparking outrage from experts, including two who told Fox News Digital it represents “identity politics” getting in the way of proper education. 

“This course provides a comprehensive foundation of how colonial legacies continue to shape global health systems and medical practices,” the University of Maryland website says about the class called “Decolonizing Medicine: Steps to Actionable Change,” first reported by College Fix. 

The course description continues, “We will critically engage with the concept of ‘the White body’ as the standard in medical training, explore the consequences of the historical context underpinning colonial medicine, and interrogate neocolonial dynamics in contemporary global health efforts. Designed for students interested in careers in medicine, public health, or health policy, this course will challenge students to rethink the ethical and epistemological frameworks that underlie modern healthcare.”

University of Maryland protest

Attendees listen as the names of Palestinian infants killed in the war in Gaza are read aloud during a vigil organized by the Students for Justice in Palestine along McKeldin Mall in the heart of the University of Maryland campus. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Yale hosts controversial speaker Trita Parsi accused of promoting Iranian regime interests

Trita Parsi, a controversial figure among the Iranian American community, was scheduled to speak at an event hosted by the John Quincy Adams Society at Yale University on Thursday, sparking concerns as tensions in Iran continue to rise.

Shay Khatiri, a senior fellow at the Yorktown Institute, grew up in Northern Iran and spent time living in the nation’s capital of Tehran. Khatiri did not hold back when discussing his view on Parsi’s messaging, telling Fox News Digital the Yale chapter’s speaker faced accusations of lobbying for policies that benefitted the regime. 

“[Parsi] founded this group called the National Iranian American Council, NIAC,” Khatiri explained. “That was really a lobbying group to promote lifting sanctions and what would eventually become the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the Iran nuclear deal that President Obama reached with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Virginia Dems introduce classroom DEI curriculum law on day 1 of legislative session

As Democrats retake control of the Virginia legislature and governor’s mansion, a flurry of far-left bills has been introduced to begin the legislative session, including one that would enshrine DEI in the classroom into law.

HB 614, titled “History and social science standards and instruction; historically marginalized communities,” was filed on Jan. 13, a day before the session even began, by Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke.

Demonstrators in Michigan protest Trump’s anti-DEI agenda.

Hundreds protest outside a rally held by President Donald Trump at Macomb County Community College in Warren, MI, on April 29, 2025. (Getty Images/Dominic Gwinn)

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The bill seeks to “ensure comprehensive, accurate, and inclusive education” for elementary and secondary school children, according to its summary. To fulfill that goal, the bill mandates instructional materials and standards in history and social science courses that include “contributions, perspectives, and experiences of historically marginalized communities.”

Conservative Utah student says radical left-wing classmate threatened to ‘Kirk’ him before arrest

A conservative student at the University of Utah who says a far-left agitator threatened to shoot him in the neck at a tabling event slammed college campuses as a breeding ground for radicalism and celebrated the arrest of the alleged perpetrator.

“It was January 12, we were outside tabling and engaging in debates in a format similar to those organized by, let’s say, Turning Point USA,” Riley Beesley told Fox News Digital. The event was hosted by Reawaken USA, a relatively new conservative group that tours college campuses, inviting students to have an open dialogue.

Beesley is a student at the University of Utah, and the vice chairman of the Utah Federation of College Republicans.

“And soon after [he] declared to us, ‘you should die,’ followed by, ‘I am going to Kirk you,’ which you could only think that means I’m either using your imagination going to shoot you or kill you,” said Beesley.

“As he walked off, he positioned himself directly in front of several campus police officers where he gestured with his arms in a manner mimicking aiming a rifle at us, thrusting them enthusiastically, as I’d say, while shouting, ‘you should die’ and calling us ‘Nazi pigs,'” he continued, adding that the police watched the incident unfold.

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Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller and Preston Mizell contributed to this report. 

Good old-fashioned snow day may be healthy for kids, doctors say: ‘Permission to unplug’

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Children sled riding

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Ahead of a significant winter storm forecast to impact much of the country throughout the weekend, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced there will not be traditional snow days for kids. 

The storm is expected to reach the city on Sunday and continue into Monday, bringing as much as 8 to 12 inches of snow and frigid temperatures.

At a weather briefing press conference Friday, Mamdani said the final decision between in-person and remote learning will be announced by Sunday at noon. 

SHOVELING SNOW COULD POSE DANGEROUS HEALTH RISK FOR ONE GROUP, EXPERTS WARN

“I have to apologize to the students that were hoping for a different answer for a traditional snow day,” he said. “That will not be the case.”

‘Unplugging’ for mental health

Following Mamdani’s controversial announcement, doctors weighed in on the decision, pointing out that snow days can be beneficial for kids. 

Snow days can be beneficial for kids, doctors shared with Fox News Digital.  (iStock)

“From a mental health standpoint, the old-school, unplugged snow day is actually very healthy for kids,” Jonathan Alpert, a New York City and Washington, D.C.-based psychotherapist and author, told Fox News Digital. “Sometimes the healthiest message we can send kids is simple: ‘Today, go outside and have fun.’”

Snow days shouldn’t be seen as “lost time,” Alpert added. They help regulate the nervous system, improve mood and allow kids to return to school more focused and refreshed. 

WINTER STORM FERN CHAOS GRIPS TRAVELERS AS SOME AIRLINES ISSUE AIRPORT ADVISORIES

The time spent outdoors being physically active can also be beneficial, he noted.

“An occasional snow day gives kids something they rarely get now: old-fashioned outdoor fun,” he said. “Sledding, snowballs, building forts … no screens, no Zoom links, no pressure to stay productive.”

“Children don’t need more screen time,” he added. “They need movement, fresh air, unstructured play and permission to unplug.” 

woman and child outside in snow, building a snowman

Many doctors support the “old-fashioned snow day” so that kids can play outside, get some fresh air, and “commingle and socialize.” (Jill Brady/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel echoed the benefits of having a full day off with no obligations.

“I love the idea of an old-fashioned snow day for mental and physical health — for kids to play out in the snow, build a snowman with a carrot nose, to commingle and socialize, and to have harmless snowball fights,” he said.

TAKE A HIKE: MAINE SCHOOL TRADES DETENTION FOR FRESH AIR AND EXERCISE

Kathryn L. Jones, M.D., Ph.D., a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU in Richmond, Virginia, also supports snow days as a way to help kids slow down and rediscover play. 

“Children don’t need more screen time. They need movement, fresh air, unstructured play and permission to unplug.” 

“Children and teens are so highly programmed with extracurriculars — and even when they have free time, often seek relaxation and restoration online, whether in playing video games or engaging with the wide variety of social media apps at their disposal,” she told Fox News Digital.

“With so much external and internal pressure to grow up faster, we end up with kids who become adults who have forgotten how to play,” Jones went on. “There is such a kinesthetic pleasure in playing outside in the snow, to notice textures, temperatures, all senses activated and engaged.” 

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Jones suggested the snow day doesn’t get the “respect and grace” it deserves. 

“For the lessons learned about nature, the world around us and our own internal landscapes, the snow day is worthwhile.”

Virtual learning pros and cons

Alpert pointed out that Zoom-based learning was found to be ineffective during the COVID pandemic. 

“We already ran the experiment of replacing real life with remote learning during the pandemic, and the results were clear,” Alpert said. 

Girl drinking hot cocoa

“Stay warm, wear hats, gloves and coats — and if you get wet, go inside for a warm shower and a cup of hot chocolate,” said one physician.  (iStock)

“Zoom school doesn’t function as true learning or true rest. It keeps kids mentally ‘on’ without giving them structure or recovery, which is exactly where stress and burnout build.”

Jarrod M. Leffler, Ph.D., chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU in Richmond, Virginia, noted that virtual learning can have benefits if implemented well.

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“Pivoting to virtual learning during a snowstorm can provide consistency for the student and limit the potential of adding days onto the school year,” he told Fox News Digital. “For some youth, this may be a positive experience.”

However, if the learning is not well-planned, supported and implemented, the switch to virtual could cause more stress for students and teachers, according to Leffler.

Family sled-riding

“For the lessons learned about nature, the world around us and our own internal landscapes, the snow day is worthwhile,” a doctor said. (iStock)

“Also, depending on the intensity of the inclement weather, teachers may be left to manage life stressors not normally requiring attention while teaching, resulting in stress for the teacher, which can impact the learning experience,” he said.

“It is important to not place a high level of learning burden on the student to limit increasing stress and potentially impact emotional and behavioral functioning.”

Tips for a safe, active snow day

For kids who do get the chance to enjoy an unplugged snow day, the doctors offered some simple tips to get the most out of it. 

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“Stay warm, wear hats, gloves and coats — and if you get wet, go inside for a warm shower and a cup of hot chocolate,” Siegel suggested. 

“These are some of my best memories from childhood, along with sledding down ‘dead man’s hill.’”

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If being outdoors isn’t an option due to extreme weather, Leffler suggested that children can engage in indoor activities that are also rewarding, enjoyable and creative.

“It may be helpful for caregivers to help plan and/or offer some options for indoor activities to help reduce potential stress and irritability if the child is required to stay indoors,” he advised.