Texas removes women and minorities from Historically Underutilized Business program for state contracts
The program will now only be eligible for service-disabled veterans. It will be called Veteran Heroes United in Business.
Texas will unveil its newest state park with a guided hike on New Year’s Day
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park in North Texas will open sometime next year. Visitors can reserve spots for a sneak peek on New Year’s Day.
Jasmine Crockett, leaning toward Senate bid, schedules campaign event Monday
The Dallas congresswoman said she discussed polling with Colin Allred and James Talarico.
Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina launches run for Congress, seeking to flip South Texas district red
National GOP recruiters see Webb County’s top elected official as a promising candidate to unseat longtime U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in 2026.
Camp Mystic announces enhanced safety plans after deaths of 25 girls, two counselors
Months after parents criticized plans for the camp to reopen next summer, Mystic’s owners said in a letter Tuesday that safety upgrades will exceed new state law.
DOJ sues six states for refusing to turn over voter registration rolls, warns ‘open defiance’ of federal law
The Justice Department filed lawsuits Tuesday against six blue states: Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, accusing them of violating federal law by refusing to provide statewide voter registration rolls upon request. The complaints, filed by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, argue the states failed to meet their legal obligations under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and the Civil Rights Act of 1960, three federal statutes that require states to maintain accurate voter rolls and make those records available for inspection. Attorney General Pam Bondi said state refusals to disclose the lists undermine the transparency and accountability those laws were designed to guarantee. “Accurate voter rolls are the cornerstone of fair and free elections, and too many states have fallen into a pattern of noncompliance with basic voter roll maintenance,” Bondi said in a statement announcing the lawsuits. “The Department of Justice will continue filing proactive election integrity litigation until states comply with basic election safeguards.” NEWSOM’S FIERY CLAIM DOJ HAS ‘NO BUSINESS’ MONITORING CA ELECTION BLASTED BY TRUMP OFFICIAL: ‘CALM DOWN BRO’ According to the DOJ, the agency formally requested each state’s current, statewide voter registration roll and did not receive the required records. In each lawsuit, the department argues that Congress gave the attorney general clear authority to demand the production, inspection, and analysis of voter registration data to ensure compliance with federal law. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the Civil Rights Division, said the department is escalating enforcement efforts ahead of the 2026 election cycle. “Our federal elections laws ensure every American citizen may vote freely and fairly,” Dhillon said. “States that continue to defy federal voting laws interfere with our mission of ensuring that Americans have accurate voter lists as they go to the polls, that every vote counts equally, and that all voters have confidence in election results. At this Department of Justice, we will not stand for this open defiance of federal civil rights laws.” FIRST TIME VOTING? HERE IS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BALLOT BOXES, CRITICAL ISSUES ON ELECTION DAY The DOJ says the lawsuits are part of a broader effort to enforce voter-registration transparency requirements that Congress put in place to ensure public confidence in election administration. NVRA requires states to maintain accurate voter lists and produce them upon request; HAVA mandates states modernize and safeguard voter registration systems; and the Civil Rights Act of 1960 authorizes the government to inspect and copy certain election records, including voter rolls. Fox News Digital has reached out to elections officials in all six states for comment. Federal officials have increasingly pressed states on voter roll compliance issues in recent years, arguing that transparency around registration lists is essential to maintaining accurate records, preventing administrative errors and ensuring voters have confidence in election outcomes. The DOJ says the six states named in these new suits have repeatedly failed to meet the department’s requests. The cases will now move forward in federal court, where judges could order the states to turn over the voter lists, impose compliance deadlines, or issue injunctions requiring adherence to federal law. Election law disputes over voter roll access and maintenance have escalated nationwide as states prepare for the 2026 midterms and the DOJ’s latest actions show an aggressive legal posture toward states that fail to meet federal disclosure rules. The department says it will “continue filing proactive election integrity litigation until states comply,” and has left open the possibility of additional lawsuits.
Trump-backed Republican keeps crucial congressional seat in GOP hands with special election victory
Republicans will hold onto a GOP-controlled vacant congressional seat in ruby-red Tennessee after winning a hotly contested special election that grabbed plenty of national attention. Republican nominee Matt Van Epps on Tuesday defeated Democratic rival Aftyn Behn, according to the Associated Press, in the high-stakes race to succeed former GOP Rep. Mark Green, who resigned from office in June to take a private sector job. “This race was bigger than just one campaign,”Van Epps said in a statement after declaring victory. “It represented a defining moment for Tennessee and for the direction of the country.” With the GOP clinging to a razor-thin majority in the House, the special election was seen as a must-win for Republicans. DECISION DAY: TRUMP, SPEAKER JOHNSON, AOC BLITZ CAMPAIGN TRAIL ON EVE OF KEY SHOWDOWN President Donald Trump carried the 7th Congressional District — which is located in central and western Tennessee, stretches from Kentucky to Alabama, and includes parts of Nashville — by 22 points in last year’s presidential election. And Green won the district by over 20 points in his 2022 and 2024 re-elections. But Democrats were energized following their decisive victories in last month’s 2025 elections, and public opinion surveys suggested a close contest between Van Epps and Behn in a showdown that was seen as a key barometer ahead of next year’s midterm elections, when the GOP will be defending its majority. With votes still being counted, Van Epps was on track for an upper single digit victory. WATCH: WHAT AFTYN BEHN TOLD FOX NEWS DIGITAL ON ELECTION EVE Asked by Fox News Digital on Tuesday morning if he needed to win the election by a certain margin, Van Epps said, “a win is a win.” But the military combat veteran and former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services added that “we’re going to press as hard as we can to win by the biggest margin we can, and then we’re going to hold the majority in ’26.” Behn, a state representative and former healthcare community organizer, who’s been dubbed the “AOC of Tennessee” in a comparison to progressive champion Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, said in her concession speech, “Although tonight is not the final result of what we wanted…it is the beginning of something so powerful in Tennessee and across the South.” She delivered a similar message to supporters at a local Democratic Party office in Nashville on Tuesday morning. “Whatever happens, win or lose, you’ve inspired a country. You’ve shown people the South has something to say,” Behn said. “For me, we’ve already won over the hearts and minds of so many Tennesseans and across the country,” Behn told Fox News Digital minutes later when asked if she’s a winner even without an election victory. “What starts here changes this country.” And she added, “I think the electorate is shifting to accept a candidate like me that has a progressive track record.” Behn was laser focused during her campaign on two key issues, affordability and health care. But National Republican Congressional Committee chair Rep. Richard Hudson, in congratulating Van Epps, emphasized that “Tennesseans know they can trust Van Epps to fight for their safety, security, and prosperity. No one is better positioned to take up the mantle and deliver results for Tennessee families, workers, and small business owners.” Trump, whose endorsement of Van Epps helped the candidate win a crowded and competitive primary last month, took to social media to congratulate “Van Epps on his BIG Congressional WIN.” “Another great night for the Republican Party!!!” the president said in his social media post. And Van Epps, in his victory speech, said “Our victory was powered by a movement of Tennesseans that are ready for change. We are grateful to the President for his unwavering support that charted this movement and catapulted us to victory. President Trump was all-in with us. That made the difference. In Congress, I’ll be all-in with him.” But Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement, “What happened tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes.” “Aftyn Behn’s overperformance in this Trump +22 district is historic and a flashing warning sign for Republicans heading into the midterms,” Martin argued. “The fact that Republicans spent millions to protect this Trump +22 district and still lost so much ground should have the GOP shaking in their boots. Democrats are all gas and no brakes as we head into next year, organizing everywhere and competing in elections across the country. “ And House Majority PAC, the top super PAC supporting congressional Democrats, claimed, “Tonight’s results make it clear: No House Republican’s re-election should be considered safe next November.” DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, GO ALL IN ON FINAL 2025 CONGRESSIONAL BALLOT BOX SHOWDOWN With so much on the line, outside groups aligned with both parties shelled out millions of dollars to run ads in the race. And the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the rival Republican National Committee (RNC) each poured resources into the showdown, which included dispatching staffers onto the campaign trail. House Speaker Mike Johnson spent the entire day on Election Eve with Van Epps, joining the GOP nominee at a slew of rallies and stops across the district. He was joined by RNC chair Joe Gruters. “We’re going to win this seat, but we cannot take anything for granted,” Johnson said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Special elections are strange because a lot of people take for granted in a deep red district like this that the Republican is just going to win automatically. Nothing’s automatic. So we’re here to help turn out the vote and make sure we get this great candidate right over that line,” Johnson said. Aiming to motivate low-propensity Trump supporters, who often don’t vote when the president’s not on the ballot, Johnson emphasized that “we need everybody to turn out.” Before introducing Van Epps at Monday’s first rally, Johnson called Trump on his cell phone, and the president spoke
Young progressive beats out establishment candidate in Jersey City mayoral race, echoing Mamdani
One month after former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was defeated in New York City’s mayoral election by democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, another disgraced former governor seeking political redemption by running for mayor was also defeated by a younger, progressive contender. Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, who was running for mayor of Jersey City, the state’s second-largest city, came up short on Tuesday in a runoff election. The 68-year-old McGreevey was defeated by 41-year-old Councilman James Solomon, according to the Associated Press. The two candidates, both Democrats, were the top two vote-getters among seven contenders in last month’s nonpartisan general election in the left-leaning city. But since no candidate won a majority of the vote, McGreevey and Solomon faced off in the runoff election. HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS DEVELOPMENTS ON THE 2025 ELECTIONS Solomon will succeed Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, whose 2025 bid for Garden State governor ended with defeat in June’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. The mayor-elect was first elected to the council in 2017 after stints as an adjunct professor in Jersey City. He previously worked in the offices of longtime Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and then-Newark Mayor Cory Booker, now a U.S. senator. MCGREEVEY, SOLOMAN, ADVANCE TO RUNOFF ELECTION A one-time state lawmaker, McGreevey was elected governor in 2001. But he resigned in 2004 and came out as gay after saying he took part in an extramarital affair with a male staffer who he had named as New Jersey’s homeland security adviser. The adviser denied he had an affair with the governor and claimed he had been sexually harassed. McGreevey, pointing to his work as executive director of a nonprofit that provides services to those adjusting to society after serving in prison, addiction treatment or combat duty, now describes himself as a “champion of second chances.” McGreevey’s unsuccessful attempt at a political second chance follows Cuomo’s failed bid. Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid multiple scandals, ran this year for New York City mayor. But he lost June’s Democratic primary to Mamdani. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The former governor, running as an independent in last month’s general election, lost to Mamdani a second time.
Trump doubles down on voiding Biden autopen actions, including pardons and commutations
President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post on Tuesday that he would “fully and completely” terminate any documents signed by former President Joe Biden’s autopen, including pardons and commutations. “Any and all Documents, Proclamations, Executive Orders, Memorandums, or Contracts, signed by Order of the now infamous and unauthorized ‘AUTOPEN,’ within the Administration of Joseph R. Biden Jr., are hereby null, void, and of no further force or effect,” Trump wrote. “Anyone receiving ‘Pardons,’ ‘Commutations,’ or any other Legal Document so signed, please be advised that said Document has been fully and completely terminated, and is of no Legal effect. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” The post confirms Trump is doubling down on potential action after announcing last week he would void any executive orders signed using the autopen from former President Biden. TRUMP TO VOID ALL DOCUMENTS ALLEGEDLY SIGNED BY BIDEN VIA AUTOPEN, THREATENS PERJURY CHARGE “The Autopen is not allowed to be used if approval is not specifically given by the President of the United States,” Trump wrote last week. “The Radical Left Lunatics circling Biden around the beautiful Resolute Desk in the Oval Office took the Presidency away from him.” The president claimed in his post that former president Biden did not personally approve autopen signatures, which is a device which has been used since the Truman administration. In the same post, Trump said 92% of Biden’s documents were signed with the autopen device. Over 160 executive orders were signed during the Biden administration. BIDEN ONLY HAND-SIGNED ONE PARDON DURING FINAL SPREE, AND IT WAS HIS MOST CONTROVERSIAL ONE Fox News Digital confirmed that the list of possibly voided pardons does not include former President Biden’s son Hunter, as that was signed by hand. The alleged autopen pardon list includes Dr. Anthony Fauci and brother James Biden. Former President Biden signed a pardon last year for Hunter Biden’s offenses that he “has committed or may have committed” from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 1, 2024. Also on the list as part of a more than 1,500-person spree of pardons near the end of Biden’s term include Gen. Mark Milley and members and staff of the House committee investigating Jan. 6. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The White House referred Fox News Digital to President Trump’s Truth Social post. Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Top expert exposes how elites are encouraging immigrants to not assimilate into American culture
An expert warned that the U.S. immigration crisis in America will continue so long as the country’s elite reject the idea of the “Americanization” of immigrants. Mark Krikorian, who is the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, told Fox News Digital during an interview that one of the core drivers of declining assimilation in America is not only mass immigration itself but an ongoing “identity problem” in which the country’s elite have made assimilation a “dirty word” by rejecting American identity and exceptionalism. “It’s not the immigrants’ doing, it’s a problem we have where our leadership classes, whether it’s government, business, education, religion, everything, aren’t really sure about whether it is even a good thing to be an American,” Krikorian, one of the country’s most notorious authorities on immigration policy, continued. “The idea basically here is that there is no meaning to nationhood or to peoplehood that living in the United States is kind of like living in Northern New Jersey as opposed to Southern New Jersey. You live in the United States, or you live in Mexico or you live in Swaziland, it doesn’t mean anything,” he explained. OVER 100 CALIFORNIA COLLEGES ACCUSED OF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST US-BORN STUDENTS IN NEW DOJ COMPLAINT “The left increasingly, even at the mainstream level, they see immigration law itself as a kind of Jim Crow, that it’s immoral to keep anyone from moving to the United States if they want to. And everything stems from that,” he continued. “Because if that’s your worldview, then obviously law enforcement coming to round up and remove people who have no right to be here, no legal right to be here, is immoral.” “So, in that context, how could we expect immigrants to Americanize successfully?” Krikorian said, adding,”What’s different today from, say, 100 or 200 years ago, is we now have a leadership class that doesn’t even believe in assimilation. They think Americanization is a dirty word.” “My mother was a daughter of immigrants, went to public school in the 30s and 40s outside Boston, and she was taught to memorize the Gettysburg Address and George Washington was the father of our country and they sang Hail Columbia in school. You think they’re doing that in the L.A. Unified School District now, or in New York, or in the school district outside of Boston my mother went to? No!” he said. “They teach American kids to, at best, be ambivalent about America, depending on the school district, even hate America.” “Until that changes,” he went on, “admitting large numbers of people, even legally, is frankly a bad idea.” President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have embarked on an intensive immigration enforcement agenda. With over 515,000 illegal aliens deported since Trump took office in January, the administration is on track to significantly exceed the record number of illegals deported out of the United States. However, Krikorian warned that deportations will not be a complete solution to the problem. “We now have the largest percentage of our population foreign-born ever recorded in American history. It’s close to 16% now. That’s more than it was during even the Ellis Island era … we’ve never been here before,” Krikorian said. TRUMP’S ‘BORDER CZAR’ WARNS DEM GOVS REJECTING TRUMP DEPORTATION PLAN: ‘GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY’ This is further coupled with the rise of technology, which Krikorian said makes it less important for immigrants to integrate into their new communities. “Newcomers don’t have to really cut off ties in the way that they had to do in the past,” he said. “In the old days, immigrating meant you had no choice but to reorient your emotional and psychological attachments to the new country … Nowadays, you can FaceTime home every day. You can hop on a plane and go to your cousin’s wedding in Bogota for a three-day weekend.” The solution, in Krikorian’s estimation, is U.S. leaders, from the president to schoolteachers, embracing American identity. With the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence coming in 2026, Krikorian said there is a “real opportunity” for “a whole year-long process of starting to change the narrative and have that narrative percolate down to local institutions, individual schools, individual congregations, individual businesses, and kind of reverse this idea that America stinks and you shouldn’t want to become part of it.” TRUMP FREEZES AFGHAN VISAS AFTER DC SHOOTING — AS HE QUIETLY EYES LAND STRIKES IN VENEZUELA “We have succeeded in Americanizing large numbers of people in the past from very different societies,” he said. “It’s harder to do now, but we can do it,” he went on. “We have a real serious challenge ahead of us, but they’re challenges that we can meet if we respond.”