Glenn Youngkin: Education is the bedrock of attaining the American dream
The American Dream is essentially rooted in attaining a quality education, Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin told attendees at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute’s RISE summit on Thursday. Youngkin said he has made education similarly a bedrock of his tenure in Richmond, in that he is dedicated to improving the lives of Virginians and helping to offer the next generation a chance to live to their fullest potential. “I wake up every morning, and I start a quiet time, because I need to first thank the Lord for putting me here… and I thank Him and say, ‘Please, Lord, what should I do today; how should I do it?’ – and education is always top of the agenda.” “When we thoroughly analyze the elements that go into unleashing opportunity, to fulfilling the American Dream, the top of the list is education.” YOUNGKIN CALLS OUT BIDEN FOR DEBATE SNUB Youngkin said educating children with key skills is important, but that the paramount goal of a solid education is to infuse them with confidence and trust that they can pursue their life goals. “And with that confidence comes the ability to innovate, to expand, to press envelopes, to create businesses, and of course to bring others along,” he said, adding that as of late in the U.S. – and in Virginia, prior to his 2022 inauguration – there is a cycle that has been broken. Youngkin said he took over a state education system that was facing not only the close of a period of less-interactive cyber-schooling due to coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, but also a state where its scholastic “excellence had been eroded” over time. YOUNGKIN VETOES A SLEW OF VIRGINIA BILLS INCLUDING CONTRACEPTION ACCESS MEASURE Proficiency expectations of students had been “watered down,” he recounted, and therefore, Virginia students were falling behind their peers on a national scale. “What does that mean? Fewer correct answers on tests that translate into whether a student is proficient or not,” he said. “That is reducing standards and Virginia went from having some of the top standards in the nation to having the lowest proficiency standards in the nation. You couple that with the accreditation process where proficiency was reduced or watered down as one of the inputs into accreditation.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Youngkin called the result of such issues an “honesty gap,” or a disparity between what the public is being told and what is really happening in education. The governor said he came into office in a state then ranked 44th of 50 in reopening schools post-pandemic. “Was it any surprise that the learning loss in Virginia, among fourth graders, in reading and math, was the worst in the nation? No surprise. And so you have to go to work. And that’s where Secretary [Aimee] Guidera and the whole team reacted quickly with all of Virginia,” he said. Multiple attempts to reach officials at the Democratic Party of Virginia by phone, as well as several 2025 statewide Democratic candidates, for comment were unsuccessful.
Biden border chief must answer after Jordanian nationals nearly breach Quantico: senators
Exclusive: A group of Republican senators signed onto a letter to Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas demanding more details on the two Jordanian nationals who were arrested after attempting to breach Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. “This incident and a number of similar incidents in recent months are in stark contrast with your statements to Congress that the border is ‘secure,’’ ‘no less secure than it was previously,’ ‘closed,’ and that DHS has ‘operational control’ of the border,” the letter, which was penned by Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., said. “The military community at Marine Corps Base Quantico and the American people deserve answers regarding the terrorism and counter-intelligence threats posed by the Biden administration’s open border policies.” The letter comes as mystery still surrounds the two Jordanian nationals who attempted to breach Quantico by posing as Amazon drivers earlier this month, with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) still declining to release the pair’s identity to the public. JORDANIAN WHO TRIED TO BREACH MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO WAS IN US ILLEGALLY, SOURCES SAY One of the two suspects crossed into the U.S. illegally in April, multiple Department of Homeland Security sources told Fox News Thursday, crossing the border and the San Diego sector and later released with a notice to appear in court because of a lack of derogatory information found on him. The other Jordanian national was also in the country illegally, the sources told Fox News, having overstayed a student visa. Neither man had a criminal history in the U.S., the sources said, while both suspects are now in ICE custody awaiting removal proceedings. BIDEN BORDER CHIEF MAYORKAS IN HOT SEAT OVER JORDANIAN NATIONALS WHO TRIED TO BREACH QUANTICO But the letter, which was signed by over a dozen GOP senators, notes that many questions remain unanswered, including whether or not one of the individuals was on a terrorist watch list. The senators also noted that similar incidents have taken place in recent months, including a March attempt by a Chinese national who was in the country illegally to break into Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in California. The letter comes at the same time as a similar effort from House Republicans, with Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark E. Green, R-Tenn., and other committee leaders issuing a letter to Mayorkas and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding answers. “The Committee fears that the Department of Homeland Security’s relaxed vetting standards, which complement President Biden’s avowed desire to ‘surge the border’ with inadmissible migrants, have created an environment ripe for exploitation by individuals aiming to undermine the United States at its most critical points,” reads the House letter. Meanwhile, the Senate letter pointed out that such attempts by Chinese nationals to gain access to U.S. military installations has happened as many as 100 times, including an instance of a group of Chinese nationals attempting to push their way past guards at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, claiming they had hotel reservations on the base. “All of these events occur in the context of increasing U.S. Border Patrol encounters of aliens on the terrorist watchlist as well as a record number of Chinese national encounters at the southern border during the Biden administration,” the letter reads. Sens. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.; Rick Scott, R-Fla.; Josh Hawley, R-Mo.; J.D. Vance, R-Ohio; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; Mike Braun, R-Ind.; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Mike Lee, R-Utah; Roger Marshall, R-Kan.; Ted Cruz, R-Texas, John Hoeven, R-N.D.; and John Kennedy, R-La. DHS did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.
Stefanik spars with head of top school over failing grade on antisemitism, stunning whistleblower claim
New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik sparred with the president of Northwestern University, Michael Schill, over his school earning an “F grade” for its handling of antisemitism, as well as whistleblowers’ claims regarding Schill allegedly looking to hire an anti-Zionist rabbi for the school. “Isn’t it true that you asked the Hillel director whether it was possible to hire an anti-Zionist” rabbi for the campus’ Jewish community? Stefanik asked Schill. “I did not. I absolutely did not. I would never hire anyone based upon their views of being Zionist or anti-Zionist. That is not what I do,” Schill responded. “That’s not according to the whistleblowers that have come forward to this committee,” Stefanik shot back. “… I can assure you many people have [spoken] to this committee.” NEW BATCH OF ‘MORALLY BANKRUPT’ COLLEGE ADMINISTRATORS TO BE GRILLED OVER CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM BY HOUSE Titled “Calling for Accountability: Stopping Antisemitic College Chaos,” Schill, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block and Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce regarding their “dereliction of” duty to Jewish students. Stefanik focused her initial lines of questioning at Schill, noting the elite university located outside of Chicago received an F grade in the Anti-Defamation League’s Campus Antisemitism Report Card this year. Northwestern was the only university in the nation to receive a downgraded score in the report card. “I’m asking the question, you’re required to answer. Isn’t it true that a Jewish Northwestern student was assaulted?” Stefanik asked Schill. “There are allegations that a Jewish student was assaulted. We are investigating those allegations,” Schill continued. “Isn’t it true that a Jewish student was verbally harassed and stalked to Hillel?” Stefanik continued. “There were allegations of that sort, and we are investigating them,” Schill responded. STEFANIK GRILLS HARVARD PRESIDENT OVER STUDENTS CALLING FOR ‘INTIFADA,’ RAMPANT ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS “Isn’t it true that a Jewish student wearing a yarmulke was spat on,” Stefanik said, before asking how long Schill anticipates campus investigations will last regarding instances of antisemitism on campus. “I’m not going to be able to tell you that. They’ll be finalized when the conduct office and the Title VI office, which are well on this issue…” Schill said. “This is why you’ve earned an F,” she said. ELITE UNIVERSITY JOURNALISM PROFESSOR EXPOSED FOR MONTHSLONG CAMPAIGN JUSTIFYING HAMAS Northwestern has been hit with lawsuits regarding its handling of antisemitism, including a class action suit filed this week accusing the school of failing to protect Jewish students. Northwestern Kellogg School of Management student Zeev Wolf Cukiert Sztrigler told Fox News Digital this week that Schill’s “only sensible action” at this point is to resign, saying he faced assault on campus. “I was assaulted by (an) NU affiliate. How does striking a deal make me and other Jewish students safer if the assailant walks around campus feeling empowered? The only sensible action President Schill can do at this point is resign,” he said. CAMPUS ‘OCCUPATION GUIDE’ TAPS INTO AGITATORS’ ‘RAGE,’ INSTRUCTS HOW TO ‘ESCALATE’ CHAOS Northwestern became the first school in the nation to publicly announce that university leaders struck a deal with campus agitators, allowing students to review school investments connected to Israel and to fund Palestinian-related scholarships and faculty salaries in exchange for protesters largely dismantling their encampment. The ADL subsequently circulated a petition calling for Schill’s resignation, arguing he “rewarded” campus agitators with the negotiations. “Jewish Northwestern students have been harassed and intimidated by blatant antisemitism on campus, worsening since October 7,” the Anti-Defamation League wrote in a petition earlier this month. “Protestors openly mocked and violated Northwestern’s codes of conduct and policies by erecting an encampment that fanned the flames of anti-Jewish hate. JEWISH STUDENT DEFIES ANTI-ISRAEL RADICALS WHO ‘STALKED’ HIM ON CALIFORNIA CAMPUS: WON’T BE ‘SILENCED’ “This week, instead of holding the protestors accountable, Northwestern’s President Michael Schill rewarded them with negotiations and an agreement granting some of their demands. President Michael Schill’s actions amount to giving in to hatred and bigotry, empowering and emboldening those who have used intimidation, harassment, and violence to achieve their goals.” The committee holding the hearing Thursday is the same panel that grilled the presidents of Penn, Harvard and MIT last year about their handling of campus antisemitism. The hearing was shortly followed by Penn President Liz Magill and Harvard President Claudine Gay resigning from their positions amid widespread backlash for waffling on whether calls for the genocide of Jews violated their respective schools’ codes of conduct.
IndiGo set to make business class debut; check routes, time here
IndiGo will introduce business class seating this year, aligning with India’s economic growth and evolving traveler aspirations, with a full launch set for August.
Cyclone Remal likely to reach over West Bengal coast on this date: All you need to know
IMD senior scientist DS Pai explained that warmer sea surface temperatures lead to more moisture, favoring cyclone intensification.
Texans are falling behind on their light bills — especially during extreme heat
One organization helping Texans pay their electric bills said the average household was $1,400 behind.
Federal forecasters predict the highest number of storms ever for 2024 season
Wind changes caused by the La Niña climate pattern and warmer-than-average ocean temperatures are expected to be major drivers to this year’s hurricane season.
ICC arrest warrant threats against Netanyahu prompt intense House talks: ‘No jurisdiction’
House lawmakers are working on a bipartisan response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) after its top prosecutor said he was seeking arrest warrants against both Hamas and top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told Fox News Digital during his weekly press conference Thursday that the top Republican and Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., were discussing a path forward. Jeffries added that he himself had not heard from Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who reiterated his commitment to hitting back at the ICC during his own press conference on Wednesday. “There are ongoing discussions, as I understand it, between Chairman McCaul and ranking member Gregory Meeks, and the objective is trying to reach bipartisan consensus with respect to the International Criminal Court,” Jeffries said. ICC REQUESTS ARREST WARRANTS FOR NETANYAHU, HAMAS LEADERS OVER ‘WAR CRIMES’ McCaul told Fox News Digital when reached for comment, “The ICC is a flawed and politically motivated judicial body. In addition, the ICC has no jurisdiction here and its announcement violates its own stated position as a court of last resort.” “Israel has a robust judicial system, so there is no need for the ICC to get involved here. Congress needs to respond with strong, bipartisan sanctions. We do not know what a final bill will look like, but all relevant parties are discussing options,” McCaul said. With the House facing a week-long recess after Thursday’s afternoon votes, it’s likely the chamber will not see action until June. But Johnson told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that he was looking at multiple options for a response. “There’s some great ideas on the table. We’re down to the fine points of that,” he said, adding that he discussed the matter directly with Netanyahu on Friday and intended to do so again that day. “This is a great threat to the international community and to our allies, and to us ultimately, as explained earlier, so we’re getting down to the fine points of that and, hopefully, it will be a bipartisan bill and that everybody will be able to stand together,” Johnson said. One possible option is a House bill introduced earlier this month by Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., a Foreign Affairs Committee member who worked with the IDF, and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas. BIDEN SLAMS ICC’S ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ REQUEST FOR NETANYAHU ARREST WARRANT Roy told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that he anticipated their bill would be “about 90% where we would end up,” but said it was up to Johnson and McCaul. “The only debates are waiver questions,” Roy said. “In our bill we have a waiver provision, but the waiver is contingent on the ICC backing away from what they’re doing in going after Netanyahu, otherwise there is no waiver. There’s some debates about whether you want to give some greater latitude on the waiver. We’ve proposed some different alternatives to try to build a consensus on it.” Mast told reporters on Wednesday morning that Democrats were seeking broader waiver powers for President Biden. “There’s a lot of back and forth right now between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats want there to be a presidential waiver in any sanctioning so they can let these people in for U.N. General Assembly or whatever it is that they want. We totally disagree with that. It should be handling these people in totality,” Mast said. Mast said he anticipated a vote sometime in early June. When reached for further comment, Johnson’s office said it had nothing to add beyond his and Jeffries’ remarks. Notably, the Mast-Roy bill has seen its support swell since the ICC’s announcement earlier this week from 15 original co-sponsors to 62 – roughly a quarter of the House GOP conference. Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., who is not a co-signer but supports a response to the ICC, urged strong U.S. action. “I think we need to be emphatic that a globalist organization does not have purview and domain over sovereign nations just writ large,” he said. “I think there’s fundamentally a problem with countries being subjected to a very arbitrary and capricious globalist organization like this, that really has a political bent to it.” Israel, like the U.S., is not under ICC jurisdiction. The Palestinian territories joined in 2015.
Texas appeals court orders dismissal of lawsuit against Texas Tribune, ProPublica
The court ruled that MRG Medical filed its lawsuit against the news organizations past the statute of limitations.
Top Kennedy staffer steps down from role citing ‘hateful and divisive atmosphere’
A top advisor to independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said she is stepping down from her role, citing an “increasingly hateful and divisive atmosphere.” Angela Stanton King, a former Trump supporter and Republican House candidate who served as Kennedy’s advisor for Black outreach since joining the campaign last year, announced her decision in a post on X late Tuesday. “After much reflection, I’ve decided to step away from the political theatre. The increasingly hateful and divisive atmosphere no longer aligns with my values,” Stanton King wrote. EXPERTS QUESTION RFK, JR.’S SUDDEN ‘BIZARRE’ MEDICAL CLAIMS THAT INCLUDE BRAIN WORMS, MERCURY POISONING “I will continue to advise RFK, Jr. on key community issues. Now, it’s time for me to pursue peace and fully dedicate myself to my nonprofit work, supporting pregnant women and returning citizens. This new chapter excites me, as I focus on making a tangible difference where it’s needed most,” she added. It is unclear whether Stanton King was referencing the “atmosphere” of the Kennedy campaign when announcing her intention to step down, and a spokesperson for Kennedy did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Other news outlets reported that Stanton King left the campaign, which appeared to prompt a response from her in another social media post on Wednesday. EXCLUSIVE: MISSOURI AG TORCHES KANSAS CITY’S ‘RETALIATION’ AGAINST CHIEF’S KICKER EXPRESSING CHRISTIAN BELIEFS “Reports that I’ve been let go from the RFK campaign for ANY reason are 100% ABSOLUTELY FALSE,” she wrote. Stanton King told The New York Times that she had “switched to an informal role,” and pointed to her original social media post as the reason for the switch. She previously appeared alongside Kennedy and vice presidential running mate Nicole Shanahan frequently at campaign events in the weeks leading up to her announcement, but she reportedly clashed with Kennedy at times over his abortion platform. She was pardoned by former President Trump in 2020 for crimes related to vehicle theft and later lost an Atlanta-area House race while running as a Republican. In 2022, Stanton King was involved in Black voter outreach in Georgia on behalf of then-Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.