The numbers are in, and they paint a disturbing picture for NASCAR as the series barrels toward its championship race in three short weeks.

Bottom line? Fans are leaving the sport ... in droves.

Nobody is watching. And those who are watching, are complaining. A lot. About the car. About the tracks. About the lack of drama, and personality, and, frankly, about the TV channel.

HAS NASCAR LOST THE SOUTH? EX-DRIVER UNLOADS AFTER SEEING "100,000 EMPTY SEATS"

Most folks have turned it off completely. Those who have stayed aren't thrilled.

I don't need to tell you guys, but that's not a great place to be.

Take a look:

Why are fans leaving NASCAR? It's simple.

Last Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix drew a pathetic audience of just 1.2 million viewers. That number is alarming, folks. I've seen a lot of bad TV numbers for NASCAR over the years. Believe me.

It's not like they're hard to find.

But that's a low number. It's an unfathomable number given the series is smack dab in the middle of its playoffs. I never thought we'd see the day where a NASCAR Cup Series race drops below the Mendoza line (1 million), but we're getting close. Too close.

For comparison's sake, NASCAR averaged more than 4.5 million viewers per race in 2016, which was a really bad time for the sport. That's when viewers were fleeing left and right. Jeff Gordon had retired. Tony Stewart was on his way out. Dale Jr. was right behind him.

NASCAR RACE LOOKS PATHETIC WITH EMPTY SEATS, DRIVER GIVES THE FINGER & THE MOST EMBARRASSING COMMAND EVER?

There's been a nearly 50% drop-off in viewership since then! Through 33 races this season, the Cup Series is averaging 2.3 million viewers per race. Through seven Chase races (that's what we're calling the playoffs this season), the number drops to 1.5 million.

So, yeah — I'd imagine alarms are going off in the big glass building across from Daytona International Speedway this morning. At least they should be.

NASCAR MAKES MAJOR CHANGE TO 2027 DAYTONA 500 WEEK, FANS FURIOUS WITH ANOTHER CHANGE & RACE WIFE IN COSTA RICA

Now, the obvious question they'll be asking themselves is ... why? Why is this happening? Where are fans going? Why are they leaving?

To me, it's a fairly simple answer if everyone is just honest with themselves for 30 seconds. I'll go in order from what I consider most pressing, to least:

1. The TV deal stinks. It brought in a lot of money, but it's really poor for exposure. Do you know how many races have been on network TV this season? Seven. Seven! Six on FOX, one on NBC. That means there has been one race on network TV since the spring (Daytona in August). That's awful. Asking folks to hunt down the USA Network, and TNT, and then download Amazon Prime, and also find FS1 for 26 of your 33 races is a slap in the face.
2. The schedule stinks. I don't mean the tracks themselves, I mean the time of year. NASCAR is putting its 10-race "Chase" right up against college football and the NFL. That's like taking a knife to a gun fight. No sport is going to win that fight, much less NASCAR. Chase Elliott said it years ago, and it's still true today: The season needs to end around Labor Day weekend. There's no upside in going up against the NFL.
3. The Next Gen car has been a bigger turnoff than a Kamala Harris cackle. Fans despise it. Drivers despise it. You can't pass. You can't push the car. God forbid you try to run in "dirty air." Folks aren't stupid. They've seen what it's done to these races, and they've lost interest.
4. To steal a phrase from the great Rick Pitino, "Dale Jr. is not walking through that door." There's no real personality in the garage anymore, beyond Carson Hocevar. Like him or hate him, Carson has moved the needle all season. Nobody else does. Chase Elliott is your "Most Popular Driver" year in and year out, and he was supposed to be NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. replacement. That hasn't worked out. Chase has no interest in carrying that torch.

Jeff Gordon is gone. Dale Jr. is gone. Tony Stewart is gone. Kyle Busch, tragically, died. He was, perhaps, the last of the "old guard" when it came to NASCAR. Beyond hoping someone goes viral and physically attacks Carson Hocevar every week, I'm not sure who NASCAR is looking at to bring in new fans. He doesn't exist.

And finally ...

1. Let's be honest, the drama isn't there anymore. At least it's not what it's been over the past decade. Yes, the shift back to The Chase format was popular amongst hardcore NASCAR fans. I get it. But the sport gave up elimination races in the process, which is naturally going to hurt interest from casual fans. People like drama. Having an elimination race every third race in the fall certainly helped with interest. Those are gone now.

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Now, let's try to fix NASCAR ...

OK, that was a long-winded "30 seconds" of honesty, but you get the picture. You add all those up, and I think it's fairly easy to see how the series has cratered in terms of viewership over the past few years.

As for the answers? I don't know. I'd shorten the season and own the summer. That's probably atop my list. Utilize midweek races in June and July. End the regular season in July, and end the postseason on Labor Day weekend.

That's probably the quickest and easiest fix.

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The TV deal is done, so I'm not sure you're changing that any time soon. A new-era car would take a while to build, so that's probably a ways off, too. As for the lack of personalities in the garage ...

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Yeah, I wouldn't hold your breath. Carson Hocevar is gonna need to keep rattling cages for years to come, I fear.

So start with the schedule, and go from there. That's my best suggestion ...

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Because right now we live in a world where a WNBA Finals game is outdrawing a NASCAR postseason race.

And nobody wants to live in that world, folks.

FIRST ON FOX: A federal judge appointed by former President Barack Obama is being accused of "misconduct" in a case involving President Donald Trump.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is demanding an investigation into U.S. Judge Kathleen Williams of the Southern District of Florida after she sanctioned Trump's lawyers over his case against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Jordan wrote to the Judicial Conference of the United States that "there is evidence that Judge Williams abused her judicial authority and violated fundamental tenets of judicial impartiality in connection with an unusual and unsupported order that imposed sanctions after the plaintiffs voluntarily had dismissed the underlying action."

The letter is being co-led by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the panel's subcommittee on courts.

OBAMA-APPOINTED JUDGE WITH TIES TO ANTI-TRUMP CONSPIRACY THEORY HIT WITH MISCONDUCT COMPLAINT

Trump, his adult sons Eric and Donald Jr., and the Trump Organization filed a lawsuit against the IRS in early 2026 seeking $10 billion in damages after a contractor with the agency leaked the president's tax returns to the press. The contractor, Charles Littlejohn, was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

APOLOGIES AND CASH HEADED TO ALLEGED ‘WEAPONIZATION’ VICTIMS IN BILLION-DOLLAR TRUMP SETTLEMENT

Trump, who filed the lawsuit in his personal capacity, had it voluntarily dismissed in May. Shortly after, however, the administration announced a settlement agreement that included $1.776 billion for an "anti-weaponization fund" for victims of "lawfare" by the Biden administration. Trump himself would receive no compensation, but would get a formal apology from the federal government and bar the IRS from ever auditing Trump or his family.

Williams, however, then accused the plaintiffs of purposely manipulating the courts to achieve the settlement and sanctioned two of the president's lawyers in a July order. Her order referred lawyer Alejandro Brito to the Florida bar for potential disciplinary action and prevented lawyer Daniel Epstein from practicing under her jurisdiction for at least a year.

LIBERAL LAW PROFESSOR BREAKS WITH OBAMA JUDGE OVER TRUMP LAWYER CRACKDOWN: ‘I REFUSE TO TEACH’ IT

Jordan's letter called the timing of Williams' order "suspect" for coming after the case was voluntarily withdrawn.

He also accused Williams of basing the action on an amicus brief submitted by left-wing judicial activist group Democracy Defenders Action. The brief, which the group said was submitted on behalf of 35 former federal judges, called on Williams to reopen the case despite the dismissal by the involved parties and accused both sides of "fraud" over the settlement.

GOP SENATOR UNVEILS BOASBERG ACT TO STOP 'ROGUE' JUDGES FROM HANDPICKING TRUMP CASES

"Judge Williams issued her July 13 order after the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of the case, ending the dispute between the parties," Jordan and Issa wrote. "Although Judge Williams invoked the court’s inherent authority to impose sanctions, the Committee is not aware of Eleventh Circuit precedent applying inherent sanctions authority after a plaintiff has voluntarily dismissed a case based on briefing by partisan nonparties on an unrelated question the court never decided."

They concluded, "Judge Williams’s conduct risks undermining public confidence in the federal courts. Accordingly, we respectfully ask that the Judicial Conference review this matter, including whether it warrants referral to the Judicial Council of the Eleventh Circuit or other appropriate action, and that you inform the Committee of steps taken no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 5, 2026."

CLINTON JUDGE INDEFINITELY BLOCKS TRUMP'S $1.776B ANTI-WEAPONIZATION FUND

Issa told Fox News Digital in his own statement, "The rogue federal judges who make up the Trump Resistance in Robes continue to disappoint but never surprise. Judge Williams hasn't only shown her liberal contempt for President Trump — but crossed a bright ethical line by going after his attorneys."

Trump allies, particularly in Congress, have clashed with federal judges on multiple fronts so far this term. Republicans have accused what they call "activist judges" of weaponizing their courts to block Trump's agenda.

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Democrats, meanwhile, backed up Williams' skepticism of Trump's settlement. The anti-weaponization fund proposal, which has since been blocked by other courts, has received bipartisan pushback.

Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
- French synagogues canceled prayers, Jews warned to hide amid riots
- Hasan Piker thinks it's fine to call Jews ‘inbred’ and ‘Zionist pigs’
- Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' tour funding anti-Israel org who cheered Oct 7

TOP STORY: Raging French riots have spiraled into absolute terror. Synagogues canceled Sabbath prayers, while terrified Jewish citizens were warned to conceal skullcaps and flee home. Violent mobs carrying Palestinian flags clashed with police, looted hundreds of stores, and flooded social media with over 1,300 hateful anti-Semitic posts. Over 2,400 rioters were arrested as fear grips the nation.

VIDEO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defends his nation against those who say Israelis live on stolen land on ‘Life, Liberty & Levin.' WATCH HERE:

SPEWING HATE: Twitch streamer Hasan Piker ignited fierce backlash after defending his use of vile slurs, including "inbred" and "Zionist pig," against political opponents. Speaking to NPR, Piker brushed off the toxic attacks, claiming they weren't meant literally and blustered that criticism against him stems from anti-Muslim bias. The Israeli-American Council forcefully condemned his rhetoric as dangerous, dehumanizing hate speech.

CASH FOR TERROR: Rapper Macklemore launched a solo "Free Palestine" tour after getting booted from Ed Sheeran's lineup over anti-Israel antics. But outrage erupted as tour proceeds are set to fund the radical Palestinian Youth Movement—a extreme group that openly cheered Hamas's brutal October 7 massacre. Outraged Jewish groups are now demanding organizers answer for bankrolling violent extremists.

JUSTICE DENIED: A grieving relative of Shiri Bibas and her two toddlers—brutally murdered after being dragged into Gaza on Oct. 7—is taking his fight straight to the International Criminal Court. The family’s legal team filed complaints targeting Iranian officials who bankrolled Hamas, slamming the ICC for double standards and demanding arrest warrants for the regime bosses backing the atrocity.

CAMPUS CLAMPDOWN: The Trump administration made University of North Carolina knuckle under. To kill off 18 federal probes into alleged campus antisemitism and race-based admissions, the university agreed to ban protest face masks, enforce mandatory antisemitism training, and adopt strictly color-blind admissions. UNC avoided paying cash or admitting guilt, but must comply with strict federal oversight through 2028 to keep its funding.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Former New York Post editor David Christopher Kaufman argues that Barack Obama and Kamala Harris are out of touch for pushing anti-Israel rhetoric to court Black voters. He contends that African Americans prioritize domestic issues like crime and unemployment over Gaza, dismissing claims of shared Black-Palestinian struggles as a myth and pointing to polling that shows solid Black support for Israel.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The Jewish people know what happens when hatred becomes acceptable. Throughout history, pogroms and persecution were fueled by lies that portrayed Jews as less than human. The Holocaust showed the world where the systematic dehumanization of Jews can lead." - The Israeli-American Council, condemning Hasan Piker's anti-Semitic comments.

- Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here.

- Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to additional newsletters from Fox News here.

- Want live updates? Get the Fox News app here

The lone holdout juror who was the only one in favor of convicting her of murder for the strangling deaths of her three young children will not have to have his phone examined or face an inquiry from her defense attorney, a Massachusetts judge ruled Wednesday.

Judge William Sullivan denied Clancy attorney Kevin Reddington's motion for an evidentiary hearing.

Sullivan wrote that the potential evidence to dismiss the juror, referred to as Juror Doe in court documents but understood to be Michael Desronvil, came to light only after the mistrial was declared — which makes it irrelevant under court precedent.

LINDSAY CLANCY HOLDOUT JUROR'S LAWYER TORCHES 'LOONEY TUNES MOTION' TO INVESTIGATE HIM

The defense did not raise the issue that Juror Doe lied on the jury questionnaire before the mistrial was declared, he wrote, — it originated in media reports.

"Because post-trial information potentially affecting Juror Doe's impartiality cannot be used to attack the determination that a mistrial was manifestly necessary, Clancy is not entitled to an evidentiary hearing on that issue," Sullivan found, while also noting that Reddington didn't raise the possibility that Juror Doe used a cell phone improperly until after the mistrial was declared.

LINDSAY CLANCY HOLDOUT JUROR ASKS FOR ONE THING IN NEW VIDEO AFTER MISTRIAL DRAMA

Any further inquiry into the holdout juror is inappropriate because of "the mandate that the court must not delve into a juror's subjective reasoning, thought process, view of the case, or relationship to the other jurors, and must not inquire into the jury's deliberative content, collective thought process, or any disagreement among the jury," Sullivan wrote.

Read the judge's order:

Desronvil told Fox News' Kayleigh McEnany last week that he stands by his decision not to compromise with 11 others who wanted her to be found not criminally responsible due to postpartum psychosis.

LINDSAY CLANCY HOLDOUT PRAISED AS 'AMERICAN HERO' BY LAWYER WHO SAYS HE REPRESENTS HIM

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He has taken to referring to her slain children as "The Three Angels." They were Cora, 5, Dawson, 3 and Callan, 8 months.

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He also denied lying under oath on his juror questionnaire, said jurors only used their cellphones during breaks from deliberations and denied claims from other jurors that he'd ignored reasonable doubts about the case.

LINDSAY CLANCY'S 'SHOOTER MCGAVIN' UNLOADS ON 'HOODIE-WEARING LAWYER' AMID WAR OF WORDS OVER HOLDOUT JUROR

GOT A TIP?

Reddington has asked the court to preserve juror records from all 12 panelists and six alternates, including their questionnaires, courthouse hallway surveillance video taken outside the deliberation room and sign-in sheets for the jurors' cellphones.

LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST

But it was only Desronvil's phone he's asked to have examined specifically — between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on each deliberation day.

LINDSAY CLANCY HOLDOUT JUROR’S LAWYERS SAY THEY PLAN BAR COMPLAINT AGAINST REDDINGTON

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"Everybody had their cellphones and our cell phone was used when we had a break," the holdout juror said. "So not during deliberation."

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Clancy returns to court on Nov. 2.

Tony Romo's loss has been J.J. Watt's gain at CBS – and now it's permanent.

Watt on Thursday was named lead analyst for the NFL on CBS in a new multi-year contract agreement. The announcement was made by David Berson, Chairman of Skydance's Global Sports Group.

Watt will continue to call the network’s top NFL games alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS Sports’ lead NFL announce team, including during the 2027 season when they call Super Bowl LXII in Atlanta.

TONY ROMO AND CBS PART WAYS BUT HISTORY SUGGESTS ANALYST WILL BE BACK ELSEWHERE

"I’ve had a front-row seat to J.J.’s growth as a top-tier broadcaster, watching him tackle this role just like he did his Hall-of-Fame playing career," Berson said in a release by the network. "He’s insightful, entertaining, passionate, meticulous in his preparation, and the ultimate teammate. He has a unique ability to see things and communicate to fans of all levels. We are thrilled to have him leading our NFL coverage."

Watt didn't start the 2026 NFL season in his current role. That belonged to Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback.

NFL ANALYST TONY ROMO PLACED ON LEAVE BY CBS SPORTS FOLLOWING DRUNK DRIVING ARREST IN WISCONSIN

But Romo ran afoul of his assignment when he was arrested on July 23, after a traffic stop on southbound Interstate 43 near downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He later pleaded no contest to a first-offense OWI, with the sentence including a six-month revocation of his driving privileges and an alcohol-assessment requirement.

CBS said on July 31 that Romo was on leave "until further notice," but then the network announced on Oct. 2 that it had "mutually agreed to part ways" with its long-time lead analyst.

WITH TONY ROMO OUT AT CBS, TROY AIKMAN AND GREG OLSEN SUDDENLY BECOME LOGICAL REPLACEMENTS

Watt, meanwhile, was the next man up. He has served as the network's lead analyst since the start of the season and that now becomes a permanent role after what was obviously a successful trial period.

The network chose the man in the seat over other possible permanent replacements for Romo, Greg Olsen and others among them.

"I am incredibly honored and grateful to have the opportunity to represent CBS Sports and all of the fantastic people who make this place so special," Watt said in a statement. "From the brotherhood of The NFL Today to my crews calling games, I couldn’t ask for better teammates alongside me on this television journey.

"I am thankful to David Berson for his leadership, vision and trust. I love this job and can’t wait to see ya Sunday with Jim and Tracy and many more Sundays to come!"

Watt joined CBS Sports in 2023 as a studio analyst on The NFL Today. Last season, Watt moved to the booth to call games with Ian Eagle and Evan Washburn.

Watt was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and was honored as the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

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Former New York Rangers star Ron Duguay has died at age 69 after a bout with cancer.

Duguay's girlfriend, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, announced the news on social media Thursday.

"It’s with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now. He fought so hard. Love never ends," Palin posted to X.

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Palin posted on her Instagram Story on Wednesday asking for prayers for the former NHLer.

Duguay spent his first six NFL seasons with the Blueshirts before joining the Detroit Red Wings for the better half of three seasons and a short stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He returned to the Rangers for two seasons and wrapped up with the Los Angeles Kings.

"The New York Rangers organization mourns the loss of Ron Duguay, one of the most popular players in franchise history," the team said in a statement. 

NHLER ANNIHILATES FORMER TEAMMATE WHO BEGGED FOR TRADE WITH CRUSHING HIT IN FIRST MATCHUP

"Ron's signature skating style — with his hair flowing as he moved down the ice — captivated The Garden Faithful, and his skill, tenacity, and charisma earned him the admiration of all New Yorkers. We join the hockey community in sending our condolences to Ron's friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time."

In his 864 games, he scored 274 goals and handed out 346 assists.

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Duguay, who made his NHL debut in 1977, continued to play in other leagues until finally hanging up the skates in 1999. He began his pro career with the Ontario Hockey League in 1973.

Virginia state senator Lillie Louise Lucas was indicted Thursday on five charges that include Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, Fraud, and Firearms Charges after being accused of running a marijuana distribution enterprise, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. 

Lucas is among seven indicted in the sprawling racketeering scheme, a group that includes her two daughters Lisa Lucas Burke and Theresa Lucas Lamb and her grandson Ryan Eichelberger, Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a Thursday press conference.

"Louise Lucas has served in a position of public trust in the Commonwealth of Virginia for over three decades," Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a DOJ statement. 

"The charges alleged in this indictment reveal the behavior of a public servant who put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve. Our federal prosecutors will continue to be guided by the facts and evidence that led a grand jury to indict Ms. Lucas and her alleged co-conspirators."

The 82-year-old Lucas had served as a Virginia state senator since 1991, and as the president pro tempore of the state's senate since 2020. As president pro tempore, she served as the presiding member of the state senate in the absence of the state's lieutenant governor. 

She also served as chair of the state's Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee since 2024.

"Through her elected office, Senator Lucas has been a public servant of the people of Virginia. Her first duty should have been looking out for her constituents before herself, but the charges listed in the indictment reflect the alleged behavior of a public servant who put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve," Blanche said Thursday. 

The DOJ said Lucas led the Lucas Enterprise with a close-knit group of friends and family that included her two daughters and a grandson. 

"[They] orchestrated a multi-year scheme to enrich their own criminal marijuana enterprise, ‘the Lucas Enterprise,' using Lucas’ position as Chairwoman of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to insulate the enterprise from criminal scrutiny and influencing legislation to financially benefit themselves," FBI Director Kash Patel said in the statement. 

Lucas was directly involved in a wide range of activities within the enterprise, including the acquisition and distribution of 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and for the laundering of the drug sales proceeds, the DOJ said.

-----

This is a breaking news story and will be updated shortly. 
 

Ever find something you want to buy online, leave it sitting in a browser tab and then completely forget where you saw it? Maybe you spotted a great pair of headphones while searching Google. Later, you found a birthday gift at another retailer. Before long, you've got a dozen tabs open and no idea which store had the better deal.

Google thinks it has a solution. On Oct. 15, the company began the U.S. rollout of Universal Cart, a new artificial intelligence-powered shopping tool that brings products from different retailers into one place. It also tracks prices, watches for restocks and helps you find savings before checkout.

With holiday shopping approaching, the timing could be especially useful. But there's another question worth asking. Will having everything in one cart help us spend less, or simply make it easier to buy more?

AMERICANS SAY THEY'RE BROKE. SO WHY CAN'T THEY STOP SPENDING SO MUCH?

Join our upcoming CyberGuy LIVE class: 5 Ways to Travel Smarter and Save Money

In this free live online class, Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will share five practical ways to protect your trip and your wallet this holiday travel season. You'll learn how to secure your phone and personal information, find better travel deals, avoid common scams, save money on bookings and use technology to make your travels easier and less stressful. No technical experience is needed.

Join us Saturday, October 31, at 11 AM ET / 8 AM PT. Register for free now at CyberGuyLive.com.

AMAZON ABOUT YOU MAY KNOW YOU A LITTLE TOO WELL

What is Google Universal Cart?

Google Universal Cart is a shopping hub that works across Google Search and the Gemini app. Instead of keeping separate lists of products you might buy, you can save items from different retailers in one place. For example, you might find a coffee maker while searching Google and add it to your Universal Cart. Later, while talking with Gemini about gift ideas, you could save a pair of sneakers from another store. When you return, both products will be waiting for you. Google first previewed the tool in May 2026. Now, Universal Cart is rolling out to U.S. shoppers. It uses Google's Shopping Graph, which contains more than 60 billion continually refreshed product listings. That information helps the system monitor prices and availability across supported products.

4 ways Google's new AI shopping cart can help you save

The biggest attraction here is convenience. But Google has added several features that could also help you avoid paying more than necessary.

1. Keep products from different stores in one cart

Shopping online often means bouncing between websites. You find something at Target, check another item at Walmart and then head to Sephora for a gift. Remembering where you saw everything can become a chore. Universal Cart lets you save supported products you discover through Google Search and Gemini. More importantly, your saved items stay together when you return to shopping. That could come in handy when you're shopping for several people or making a big purchase that requires some research. You can keep your options organized without committing to buying anything right away.

2. Get alerts when prices drop or products return

Here's the feature I find particularly interesting. Universal Cart can monitor saved products and notify you when a price drops. It can also alert you when something that sold out becomes available again. Suppose you're considering a new television but aren't ready to spend the money. Rather than checking the same retailer every morning, you can save it and let Google's shopping system watch for changes. The alerts could be especially helpful heading into Black Friday and the holiday shopping season. Still, remember that a price reduction doesn't automatically guarantee the lowest price available.

IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION IS CHANGING: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

3. Find promo codes and credit card savings

This is where Google's AI starts doing some extra work. Universal Cart can surface relevant promotional codes and consider benefits associated with your payment cards. Let's say you have multiple credit cards but can't remember which one offers better rewards at a particular retailer. Universal Cart uses information from Google Wallet to understand supported credit card benefits and help you choose between payment methods. It can also show relevant promotional codes directly in your cart, potentially helping you find savings you might otherwise miss. However, I would still check the details before choosing a card. Rewards programs come with conditions, and the highest points offer may not always translate into the greatest savings.

4. Check out without starting over

Once you're ready to buy, Universal Cart offers a more streamlined checkout experience with participating retailers. In some cases, you can complete the purchase using Google Pay directly from the cart. Alternatively, Google can transfer your selected items to the retailer's website so you can finish your order there. Google says its simplified checkout experiences include retailers such as Nike, Sephora, Target, Ulta Beauty, Walmart and Wayfair, along with many Shopify merchants. However, the available checkout options depend on the retailer. Either way, the retailer remains the seller of record and handles order confirmations and customer support. That means you'll continue dealing with the merchant for delivery questions or returns.

119,000 FAKE SHOPS COULD STEAL YOUR CREDIT CARD DETAILS

How to get started with Google Universal Cart

Google began rolling out Universal Cart to U.S. users on Oct. 15. The feature works across Google Search and the Gemini app, although availability may vary as the rollout continues. To explore it, open Google Search or Gemini and look for products you're interested in buying. When Universal Cart becomes available in your shopping experience, you can save supported products from different retailers. Google says those items will remain in your cart when you return, allowing you to pick up where you left off. You can also use the cart to monitor price changes, discover promotional offers and review available checkout options. However, Google hasn't provided a single set of instructions that applies to every device. The appearance and placement of these features may vary.

NEW AMAZON AI SEARCH TURNS WORDS INTO SHOPPABLE IMAGES

Does Google's Universal Cart work with every retailer?

Not necessarily. Google says Universal Cart can organize products across retailers, but that doesn't mean every online store supports every feature. The products you can save depend on supported shopping experiences. Meanwhile, checkout options vary depending on the merchant. Some purchases can happen through Google Pay in the cart, while others require you to finish on the retailer's website. Google originally introduced Universal Cart in May with plans to bring it to Search, Gemini, YouTube and Gmail. However, its October 15 launch announcement specifically confirms availability across Search and Gemini in the U.S. Google has not announced a confirmed launch date for Universal Cart integration with Gmail or YouTube.

What's powering Google's new shopping experience?

Behind the scenes, Google uses something called the Universal Commerce Protocol, or UCP. It's a shared technical standard designed to help AI-powered shopping tools communicate with retailers and payment systems. For shoppers, the technical details are less important than what they make possible. UCP helps Google connect product discovery with checkout, reducing the need to jump between different shopping experiences. Google has also been expanding AI shopping beyond the cart. Its Let Google Call feature, for example, can use AI to contact nearby stores and check product availability. Amazon has been developing AI-powered shopping tools, while OpenAI offers AI agents that can assist with shopping-related tasks. The competition to become your digital shopping assistant is heating up.

What about your shopping privacy?

Having Google organize your shopping could be convenient, especially if you already use Search and Gemini. Still, it's worth considering how much shopping information you're comfortable keeping within your Google account. Universal Cart uses Google Wallet to help identify supported payment benefits and relevant offers. However, Google's launch announcement doesn't provide detailed information about how long Universal Cart shopping data is retained or exactly how it may be used for advertising. Before relying on the feature, review your Google account's privacy settings and Google's published privacy policies. For now, I would avoid assuming that adding something to Universal Cart keeps that shopping interest private. And if you're buying a surprise gift for someone who shares access to your Google account, think twice before saving it there. Of course, the usual online shopping precautions still apply. Before completing a purchase, check the final price and verify that you're buying from a legitimate seller. A familiar checkout experience shouldn't replace those basic habits. For more help spotting suspicious sellers, see our guide on how to tell whether an online store is real or a scam.

Kurt's key takeaways

I like the idea of having one place to keep track of everything I'm considering buying, especially when the holidays roll around. The price alerts could be genuinely helpful. And if Google's AI can find a discount code I would have otherwise missed, I'm all for it. But I'm also watching where this is heading. Google is making shopping increasingly convenient, and that convenience can be a double-edged sword. When a company knows what you're interested in buying and makes checkout easier, there's less time to reconsider a purchase. My advice? Use Universal Cart to do your homework and save money. Just don't let the technology do the deciding for you.

Would you trust Google's AI to help you shop and choose how to pay, or are we giving tech companies too much influence over what we buy? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., is asking the Atlantic Coast Conference to disclose its policies governing online sports betting by conference employees, referees and other individuals connected to its competitions.

In a letter sent Thursday to ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips and the conference’s board of directors, Patronis said the request was prompted by the ACC’s support for the Protect College Sports Act, a sweeping federal proposal addressing NIL rights, revenue sharing, athlete health and safety, transfers and other issues in college athletics.

"Seeing as the ACC is asking Congress for help with NIL, I believe we must have transparency regarding each body’s policies and how they navigate online betting," Patronis wrote.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: COUNTDOWN IS ON AS SENATE RACES TO PASS CRYPTO, COLLEGE SPORTS BILLS

The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, S. 4668, by a 77-22 vote on Sept. 28. The legislation now awaits consideration in the House. Supporters describe the bill as an effort to establish national standards for NIL compensation, revenue sharing, scholarships, medical coverage and the preservation of women’s and Olympic sports.

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Patronis asked the ACC to provide its online gambling policies before Congress returns in November, including rules governing staff members, officials and "other interested parties." He also questioned how the conference is protecting the integrity of college sports as sports betting becomes more widespread.

SENATE MOVES TO REIN IN COLLEGE SPORTS 'WILD WEST' WITH SWEEPING NEW RULES FOR PLAYERS, SCHOOLS

The NCAA has continued to enforce restrictions on wagering that could affect the integrity of college competition. The association says violations can result in severe penalties, including the loss of athletic eligibility, while warning that betting-related harassment and pressure can affect athletes, coaches and officials.

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At the same time, the NCAA’s Division I Administrative Committee has moved toward allowing athletes and athletics staff to bet on professional sports, while preserving restrictions involving college competitions. The NCAA said conferences and schools may impose additional rules of their own.

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The ACC has been involved in lobbying efforts surrounding the Protect College Sports Act, which conference leaders have described as a way to create more consistent national rules for college athletics

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., denied Wednesday that she married her former husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, to commit immigration fraud and pushed back against claims that they are related.

But when asked if there's any familial relation with her ex-husband, Omar admitted, "Not to my knowledge." 

The interview marked the Somali-born congresswoman's first time speaking with the media since federal agents searched her Washington, D.C., residence on Oct. 12. The congresswoman's office has not responded to Fox News Digital's repeated requests for comment regarding the investigations and raid on her home earlier this month.

ILHAN OMAR BELIEVES TRUMP RAID ON HOME WAS MEANT TO 'INTIMIDATE AND SCARE PEOPLE' FROM VOTING

"It all started with the Somali blog," Omar told MS Now host Chris Hayes regarding longstanding rumors that they are siblings. "Somebody put it there, that he had to have been my brother or something to that effect."

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a court-authorized search warrant as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation into possible false statements in Omar's immigration and naturalization documents.

The Justice Department has not publicly detailed the allegations.

FEDERAL AGENTS RAID ILHAN OMAR'S DC HOME AMID IMMIGRATION FRAUD INVESTIGATION

U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved the warrant, according to court-related reporting.

Omar has denied wrongdoing and called the investigation politically motivated. She appeared publicly for the first time since last Monday's raid with a video posted to social media from the back of a car where she asked supporters to keep sending her money.

Federal authorities issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to members of Omar's family, and seized her cellphone during the investigation, according to The Associated Press.

Fox News Digital reported that Omar's sister, Sahra Noor, spoke with federal investigators last week in the wake of the raid.

ILHAN OMAR RAID SPARKS OMINOUS PREDICTION FROM WATCHDOG: 'THEY PROBABLY GOT THE GOODS'

A separate inquiry from the immigration fraud investigation is examining Omar's campaign finances and financial disclosures. 

That investigation reportedly began during the Biden administration in 2024. The complaint about her massive wealth disparity in her disclosures was dismissed by congressional ethics hawks but is now being investigated by authorities outside the Capitol, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced last week.

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Both investigations remain ongoing.

A coyote put its jumping skills on display to grab a piece of fruit.

As our loyal readers know, nature and outdoors content is easily some of the best kinds of content you can find on the internet.

You never know what you're going to see, and it's often a reminder how lucky we are to live in a country with such beautiful nature and scenery.

VIRAL NATURE VIDEO CAPTURES STUNNING ALBINO DEER IN WISCONSIN NORTHWOODS, AND IT LIVES UP TO THE HYPE

Well, we have a real doozy today.

Coyote shows off elite jumping skills to snatch a pear.

A Facebook video shared by Tom Miranda is going viral for all the right reasons. The footage shows a coyote getting some serious air in order to snatch a pear off a tree.

TRAIL CAM CAPTURES BUCK WALKING AROUND WITH ANOTHER DEER'S ANTLERS DANGLING FROM ITS RACK

I'm not talking about just a few inches of air. The coyote absolutely launched itself into the air to grab the piece of fruit.

Miranda captioned the epic video "Coyote eating pears!"

Give it a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

Many people in rural areas of America absolutely hate coyotes and for good reason. They're a massive nuisance.

They attack livestock, young calves and can go after family pets. They're a problem that many people deal with by simply shooting them.

Hunting coyotes is extremely popular in a state like Wisconsin. Having said that, great footage is simply great footage, and that's what we have here.

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That coyote has an outrageous vertical lift.

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What do you think of the epic footage? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

Welcome to Screencaps, "America's Best Daily Column," as named by the readers. Screencaps, which publishes seven-days-a-week, is a mix of sports, pop culture, and emails from sane readers from around the world. This column isn't for the coastal elites. Give us a week to steal your heart. Our track record is pretty good. Let's have some fun.

Thank you, Paige

Ladies, have you been wondering how to tee up a golf ball? You're in luck, Paige and her playing partner have created a step-by-step lesson plan.

I have to give credit to Paige. She spent years as OutKick's No. 1 ranked golf influencer in the world, but the content was just Paige in some costume and it started to get old. Once she started doing this playing partner thing where she leans into just being Paige, giggling, dropping innuendo jokes and having fun, the content HAS POPPED.

PAIGE SPIRANAC NEEDS TO EMBRACE FULL INTEGRITY GOLF AFTER PUTTING INCIDENT, TRUMP'S NEW HIRE & DITKA!

The formula seems to be rather simple: Create content that neanderthals will share in their golf group chats.

"Good girls bend at the knee, bad girls bend at the hip . . . Or something like that . . . might be the other way round," some guy named Rich, who's clearly in a golf group chat, wrote on Instagram.

By the way, that's Kendall Toole, the former Peloton instructor golfing with Paige. I'm sure some of you who rode a stationary bike during COVID remember her.

📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com
Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got.

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I deserve an IMDb entry after doing this voice work for the Cal McCallister show

In case you've been in a coma, OutKick's Matt Reigle created this show and has been using OutKick talent to voice many of the characters. In this episode, my voice talent is on display. Give it a watch and rate my performance.

Speaking of OutKick coworkers, I have to give props to OutKick senior WNBA writer (I gave him that title; it's not an official role) Dan Zaksheske for this single piece of content

This is about as perfect as it gets and shows exactly what it's like to be an OutKick outsider going into many of these environments where the Big Js and the team media staffs absolutely despise you. But, someone has to do it.

Dump Dinners: Are the Millennial parents doing this stuff so they can collect 'Likes' on social media or is it to actually have fun with the kids?

I'm on the fence here. Part of me feels like this would be fun with toddlers who are a complete mess anyway, why not let them go wild. The other part of my brain tells me this is just another dopamine hit for Millennial parents who want to throw this content on Instagram so their yuppie friends smash that like button.

Random Mailbag Time®

• Kevin F. in Naples, FL writes: Food that is hard to screw up? Nachos. A sign of a bad restaurant is when their nachos are terrible.

Kinsey: Hold up, nachos are screwed up at an astounding rate. In fact, a few years ago, I told Mrs. Screencaps that there wasn't a single place within 20 miles of our house that can do nachos correctly.

Burning shredded cheese onto chips isn't nachos. I got to the point where I couldn't even trust the Mexicans to produce a legit plate of nachos. I get where Kevin's going here, but they're easy to screw up because these places don't put in the effort.

• Kevin in Frederick checks in: Checking out the site and the Astros chick made me think about the ALCS and WS. I had to jump on the 4 letter website to see where the ALCS stood - the World Series starts Friday, after all, right? Just checked, and apparently it's over (Go Rays!). Didn't even know.

RAYS PUNCH THEIR TICKET TO THE WORLD SERIES, TAKING DOWN GUARDIANS IN GAME 6 TO SET UP SERIES WITH BREWERS

It serves MLB right to have to show the Trop for at least 2 games. Place is a soulless sh–box unlike American Family Field (aka Miller Park). Would cheer for the Brewers if Uke was still kicking it. Would love to hear him call a WS for the home team.

Never really been a MLB fan since the days of the Cubs afternoon games interrupting the 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM window of Scooby Doo and Tom and Jerry - stupid Cubs.

Pulling for TB, (another fan base that does not deserve a title) as I lived there while Sapp was playing. He was always a jerk. His philosophy was always he wouldn't take pics or sign anything because someone would be left unhappy - so he just made everyone unhappy. At least he was consistent.

Finally, The WNBA finals fix is in!. Atlanta beats GSV on the road and gets 15 more FT's than the home team? The WNBA decided they've got the chance to ride the Angel Reece train and they are gonna do just that - by any means possible. This is going 7 games for sure...and crowning her as the new face of the WNBA. Can't promote CC over a WNBA champ can you?

• Greg writes on the world of fast-food buffets: KFC has a good all-u-can-eat buffet here in Tallahassee.

• CF in Kansas tells me: We went to Wendy’s drive-thru the other day and "lo and behold!" there was an older lady working the window.  We had a smooth experience for a welcome change.  Perhaps that Wendy’s manager reads your column and was smart enough to take your advice.  Bring back the old ladies!!!!!!

Kinsey: Thank you for this report, CF. The quicker Wendy's rids itself of the meth addicts and prison-release system workers, the sooner this brand restores order. Now, I'm concerned that too much damage has been done, but it's a great step. Remember how Cracker Barrel created an unnecessary mess with that whole logo change idea from the Rachel Maddow ripoff CEO? She learned a valuable lesson, left and now look at the stock: It hit $69/share this week.

Bring back the Superbar. Fire the meth addicts. I'd even sell monthly Superbar subscriptions. VIP lines like you're waiting for a ride at Cedar Point. You know what Chick-fil-A doesn't have? A f'ing SUPERBAR! DO IT, WENDY'S!

• Greg shares his experience with Warren Sapp: I graduated Univ of Miami in 1978 and have been a huge Cane fan since 1974, my first year on campus.   I don’t recall the exact year but it was likely around 2004,  I was returning back to Florida from Nassau, and Warren Sapp was on the same plane.  After we landed,  I was standing in the terminal with some Cane fans who just wanted to shake his hand and perhaps get a picture.  He could not have been more UNFRIENDLY AND RUDE as he ungraciously denied their request.  I knew from that moment on that despite being a great football player, he was a lousy human being.  It is no wonder you don’t see too many endorsement deals for this miserable person.

How to sync your TV to NFL radio broadcasts

– Tom T. says: Finally! You are covering a topic on which I am an expert. I have been listening to NFL home team broadcasts synced with the TV since Sonny & Sam were calling the Washington REDSKINS back in the 80's and 90's. Back then, over the air AM radio was already synced perfectly with cable TV, so all we had to do was mute the TV and turn on the Technics receiver pre-tuned to 960 AM.

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Nowadays, I listen to the skins on BIG100 out of DC, over the Internet. It is normally about 60 seconds ahead of the cable TV broadcast, so I have to pause TV1 AND pause TV2, which shows Redzone channel. I usually sync on the opening kickoff. I also have to avoid looking at my fantasy football scoreboard until commercial breaks, so I can remain in the 60 second "cone of silence".

A funny thing happens around 5pm, however. At that time, BIG100 starts telling me that I am out of the authorized listening area, so for 4pm or night games, I have to rely on an NFL+ subscription, which runs about $13 per month to listen to any game.

Most of the time, everything stays synced up, but occasionally it is necessary to re-sync. If you can handle that, it is the BEST way to watch your favorite team. I was travelling for work on Monday, and I ended up watching the second half on mute, because I was sooooooo tired of Buck and Troy sucking up to Kyle Shanahan and talking about how much the REDSKINS stink..... I can't handle the truth.

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Kinsey: I'm still not hearing how you sync the broadcast with the radio when the radio is running ahead of the video stream. Are you guys pausing the radio broadcasts for a set amount of time? Have you determined the exact amount of delay the TV stream is on and then you use some sort of counter to get this stuff perfectly synced?

– Steve C. in Kentucky writes: You have to delay and pause both the tv and radio apps then sync them by myself.  After a while it is pretty easy.

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That should be more than enough content to get the juices pumping on a Thursday morning. The sun is still out here in Ohio. The weather has been absolutely phenomenal. I'm talking 69, sunny, no wind, no clouds. Just amazing for this time of year which means we're probably going to get pummeled in about seven days.

Anyway, let's enjoy life. Let's get some work done and get one step closer to the weekend.

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Stuff You Guys Sent In & Stuff I Like :

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico challenged his opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), to a debate hosted by TMZ, renewing his calls for the Republican to face him ahead of the November election. In an interview with TMZ, Talarico said Paxton has repeatedly ignored his invitations to debate him and suggested the entertainment…

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico challenged his opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), to a debate hosted by TMZ, renewing his calls for the Republican to face him ahead of the November election. In an interview with TMZ, Talarico said Paxton has repeatedly ignored his invitations to debate him and suggested the entertainment…

The NBA season arrived Tuesday night with the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons opening the 2026-27 campaign in a matinee matchup. The new-look Philadelphia 76ers, featuring four-time MVP LeBron James, followed by spoiling the New York Knicks' banner night as the franchise celebrated its long-awaited title from last season.

The San Antonio Spurs, whom the Knicks defeated in the Finals, then fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2025 champions, to close out the league's three-game opening-night slate.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took notice as the NBA season got underway and weighed in Wednesday while the league’s other teams played their opening games.

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"As the NBA season begins this week, remember: 26 out of 30 NBA owners are billionaires — getting richer every day. Meanwhile, the average ticket price to see the Knicks play the Sixers last night cost $1,894. No. You should not have to be rich to take your kids to a ball game," Sanders wrote on X.

Sanders did not make mention of player salaries in his criticism.

Sanders has regularly spoken about affordability, and this is not the first time he has addressed ticket prices for major U.S. professional sports leagues. On Aug. 20, Sanders pointed to the tax dollars often used to help fund the construction of new sports venues.

"31 out of 32 NFL owners are billionaires. 26 out of 30 NBA owners are billionaires. 26 out of 30 MLB owners are billionaires. Your tax dollars helped build their stadiums," the senator from Vermont wrote on X at the time. "But today, the average person can't afford the price of a ticket to a sporting event. That must change."

KNICKS-SPURS NBA FINALS GAME 3 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COULD BECOME MOST EXPENSIVE SPORTING EVENT ON RECORD

Steve Ballmer is the wealthiest person who currently owns an NBA franchise, according to Forbes' latest estimates, with an estimated net worth of $166 billion. He is also suspended from attending Los Angeles Clippers games, the team he owns, and participating in all league activities for one year. The suspension followed an NBA investigation that determined Ballmer was "knowingly" involved in "seeking to help Mr. Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities."

The year-long probe looked into whether the Clippers circumvented salary-cap rules to sign Leonard. The Clippers were fined $30 million and ordered to forfeit multiple first-round draft picks.

Clippers' opening-night ticket prices on Ticketmaster for Wednesday ranged from $51 for standard-admission terrace-level seats to $163 for lower-level center-court club seats on the secondary market. The prices did not include taxes or additional fees.

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Tickets for Wednesday's Portland Trail Blazers-Phoenix Suns game were listed for as little as $50 on Vivid Seats, a secondary-ticket marketplace. That price also excluded taxes and fees.

Season-ticket prices vary widely from team to team, with the Golden State Warriors becoming the first NBA team to introduce a personal seat license program.

The fee, which several NFL teams use to help offset stadium construction costs, requires fans to pay an upfront fee per seat for the right to purchase season tickets in a specific location.

The location of the seats determines the license fee. Half of the seating options at the $1 billion Chase Center initially were sold with license fees of $15,000 or less, while the other half cost more, according to ESPN.

Russian missiles keep falling on Ukrainian cities while Washington holds up approval of Patriot interceptor transfers to Ukraine, according to The Washington Post. A Ukrainian official told the Post that only "a couple" of interceptors remained. President Donald Trump wants this war to end, and that goal deserves support. But a deal that squeezes only Ukraine is not a peace plan, and right now Kyiv absorbs the pressure while Moscow collects the relief.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged on Oct. 20 that a batch bought for Kyiv may not have been delivered, but he rejected any political motive. "There's nothing being deliberately denied to Ukraine," he said.

So is Washington protecting scarce supplies, applying negotiating pressure or both? Americans deserve an answer, including what concessions Washington expects from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

TRUMP RUSSIA DEAL COULD FUEL PUTIN'S WAR, EX-NATO COMMANDER WARNS AS ZELENSKYY SAYS 'NYET'

The administration's strongest defense is scarcity, so start with the missiles. Lockheed Martin delivered 620 PAC-3 MSE interceptors in 2025 and plans to expand annual capacity to 2,000 over seven years.

The Iran war compounded the problem. A July assessment by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that heavy combat use had pushed American Patriot inventories below 1,000.

UKRAINE'S ZELENSKYY OPEN TO FREEZING FRONT LINES IN CEASEFIRE WITH RUSSIA

A president must keep enough interceptors to protect American troops. Having worked on military strategy and security cooperation at the Pentagon, I take that obligation seriously. Ukraine's needs cannot erase our responsibilities elsewhere.

European money does not change that math. Kiel Institute data covering the first half of 2026 identify Europe as the largest military-aid donor, yet American stockpiles supplied more than 90% of the aid delivered through NATO's Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). Europe is paying American industry to arm Ukraine, and Washington controls the tap.

AMERICA FACES A CRISIS IN OUR MILITARY ARSENAL THAT TRUMP IS RACING TO FIX

The lasting answer to scarcity is production. When U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv Oct. 9, he pressed for faster Patriot production licensing and offered joint production of interceptors. Washington should pursue it, with technology safeguards.

Still, scarcity does not explain every pending decision, and Washington owes the allies who paid for these weapons a straight explanation. Nor does it explain the broader pressure on Kyiv.

TRUMP TELLS ZELENSKYY TO STOP DOING 'ONE THING' DURING ATTACKS ON RUSSIA

The clearest example involves the same pipeline. Reuters reports that Washington threatened to stop the allied-funded PURL weapons pipeline to press Kyiv to halt its deep strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. That is leverage over Ukrainian military operations, not proof of a coordinated campaign to remove Zelenskyy.

The satellite dispute is murkier. Blamed for throttling Ukraine's terminals, billionaire Elon Musk posted that limits "are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately" by the president. Reuters then traced the restriction to the White House through unnamed officials. Trump denied it. "It wasn't us," he told reporters Oct. 16. Separately, Ukraine went three days without American missile warnings before Zelenskyy said Oct. 18 that intelligence sharing had resumed.

ZELENSKYY ACCUSES PUTIN OF DEFYING TRUMP'S CEASEFIRE PUSH, SENDS POINTED MESSAGE TO WHITE HOUSE

The pressure is also personal. Trump called Oct. 10 for Ukraine to replace its president. Yet Zelenskyy sat down with American envoys in Oslo on Oct. 20. A leader who shows up for talks is not refusing diplomacy.

Now consider the other side of the ledger. Trump announced an energy ceasefire Oct. 11, although Russian agreement remained unclear. A week later, Russian strikes hit 28 substations and other energy facilities, according to the Institute for the Study of War, leaving roughly 550,000 Ukrainian households without power. Kyiv was pressed to stop hitting refineries while Moscow kept hitting the grid. Putin never confirmed the ceasefire, and his missiles show he never intended to honor it.

TRUMP TRIES DIFFERENT APPROACH WITH RUSSIA TO BRING AMERICANS RELIEF AMID ONGOING WAR WITH UKRAINE

Moscow, meanwhile, received relief. On Oct. 9, Treasury issued a license authorizing specified Russian diesel transactions. Reuters later reported that Washington hoped the diesel deal would soften Moscow's negotiating position.

The administration's case is domestic. Diesel hit a record $6.52 a gallon in September as the Iran war choked the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump promised relief for farmers, ranchers and truckers. But Lawfare's analysis found the agreed Russian exports would cover about 2% of American demand. The price relief is speculative. Moscow's gains are not: sanctions relief and American pressure on Kyiv to spare Russian refineries.

PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION

Offering an adversary an incentive can be sound diplomacy. The question is what the incentive buys. So far, the bombing has not stopped.

Nor has softer treatment softened the Kremlin's terms. When Zelenskyy offered a 60-day ceasefire to permit elections, the Kremlin rejected it on Oct. 12, saying it wanted an overall settlement. Moscow refused the very pause that Trump's call for new Ukrainian leadership would require.

Putin's ambitions run larger still. The New York Post reports that he wants a summit with Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to settle the war without Zelenskyy or Europe at the table, a redux of Yalta.

Putin bargains as if time is on his side. The battlefield says otherwise. Reuters reported Oct. 17 that Russian advances had slowed and many front lines remained largely static.

That gives Washington room to demand reciprocity. Wicker, the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, proposed one approach on Oct. 18: Ukrainian restraint against petroleum facilities in exchange for American targeting assistance against Russian missile launches. It deserves consideration. But Putin would still need to offer restraint of his own.

So what must Putin give up? As I argued in these pages last December, a durable agreement requires credible enforcement, and enforcement begins with concessions Moscow can be held to.

Russia must halt strikes on Ukraine's power grid and cities, the same restraint Washington demanded of Kyiv. It must accept monitored ceasefire terms, defined restrictions on military activity and consequences for violations. It must negotiate with Kyiv, not over Kyiv's head in China. And it must recognize that the size of Ukraine's army and the choice of its security partners belong to Kyiv, not the Kremlin.

For his part, Trump should preserve American reserves, expand production, insist on European performance and refuse any summit that decides Ukraine's fate without Ukraine. Diesel licenses and any further sanctions relief should depend on compliance, with automatic snap-back penalties if Moscow cheats.

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America need not send combat troops to Ukraine or finance an indefinite war to demand those safeguards.

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Trump wants the killing to stop. Whether Putin will accept enforceable limits remains unproved. The test of American diplomacy is whether Moscow earns relief through compliance and faces greater costs for renewed aggression.

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It's spooky season and trick-or-treaters will be knocking before you know it. Stock up easily with this budget-friendly bulk Halloween candy deal. Originally $40, FOX readers can save 50% on 5-pound bulk candy bags with code FOXNEWSDEALS. That drops the price to $20, plus free shipping. Choose from several mixes, including assortments for chocolate fans, sweet-and-sour candy, Twizzlers and more.

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A teacher who was injured during last Thursday's school shooting in Bend, Oregon, said she tried to shut a classroom door before pretending to be dead in the hope that the gunman would not target her again.

Becky Drury made the remarks in a statement released to the media on Wednesday, as the Bend Police Department confirmed that the firearm used in the attack on Silver Rail Elementary, which left three children and one teacher dead, was "purchased legally."

"Here is what I remember: Once I realized something was happening outside, I ran to see what was going on. I then saw the shooter and immediately ran back into the classroom. I turned to shut the door behind me, but the shooter was already there. Before I could do anything more, he shot me at close range and I fell to the ground," Drury said.

"Lying on the floor, I saw that my left hand was almost completely severed from the gunshot, and my other arm was also severely injured. I could not get up, defend myself, or protect anyone else," she added. "So, I did the only thing I could do, which was to pretend to be dead in the hope he would not shoot me again."

HERO DAD WHO TOOK DOWN OREGON SCHOOL SHOOTER IDENTIFIED ALONG WITH TEACHER, STUDENT BOTH KILLED IN ATTACK

Drury continued, "What happened in that classroom was unimaginable, and like so many in this community, my heart is broken for everyone affected by this tragedy," and her "thoughts are with those who were hurt, those we lost, their families, our school, and the Bend community."

The Bend Police Department said on Wednesday that detectives are continuing a "complex investigation."

"They have served search warrants at the shooting suspect's home, as well as on his electronic devices and his social media accounts on a variety of platforms. That work continues, and it takes time," the department said in a statement.

BEND SCHOOL DISTRICT HONORS SLAIN TEACHER, PRAISES STAFF MEMBER'S COURAGE DURING ATTACK: 'FOREVER GRATEFUL'

The 16-year-old shooter was "neutralized" by a good Samaritan, police said.

Bend-La Pine Schools began welcoming students back to their other schools on Wednesday following the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary.

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"Heartfelt artwork and messages of love reminded our students and staff that they are surrounded by a community that cares deeply for them," the school district said.

Politico has issued a correction and re-examined multiple articles after the White House threatened "consequences" if the outlet doesn't retract its recent reporting on President Donald Trump's chief of staff Susie Wiles, Fox News Digital has confirmed.

In a letter addressed to Politico's global editor-in-chief Jonathan Greenberger on Monday, White House counsel William Scharf slammed three "demonstrably false and defamatory articles" about Wiles, including claims that Trump was mulling Wiles' ouster, and that he had a "freak-out" when Politico published its story.

"These publications reflect far more than sloppy reporting or an unfortunate, inadvertent reliance on unreliable sources. They instead reveal a disturbing pattern of the publication of sensational falsehoods despite direct, on-the-record refutations from senior White House officials and even the President of the United States himself, as well as documentary evidence provided to Politico, all of which established clearly that claims central to Politico's planned reporting were false. Put simply, your publication was told the truth and presented with corroborating evidence, and yet chose to publish fanciful fiction regardless," Scharf wrote in the letter first reported by Axios that has been obtained by Fox News Digital. 

WHITE HOUSE CONFIRMS APPEAL AS TRUMP-APPOINTED JUDGE EXTENDS RULING RESTORING CNN, MS NOW, POLITICO ACCESS

"This is not a question of competing interpretations, editorial judgment, or political disagreement. It is a question of whether a major news organization may knowingly publish demonstrably false factual allegations, disregard documentary evidence contradicting those allegations, and then hide behind anonymous sources when confronted with the truth. It may not. I therefore demand that Politico retract these defamatory articles and issue corrections promptly, or face the consequences," he later continued.

Scharf gave Politico "48 hours" to reverse its reporting and issue an apology to both Trump and Wiles before the White House explores "appropriate and available legal remedies."

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"The White House has no obligation to pretend that this persistent conduct is consistent with responsible journalism. Nor should Politico expect that its institutional behavior will be insulated from scrutiny. After all, freedom of the press is not a professional exemption from accountability," Scharf told Greenberg.

"I therefore demand that Politico immediately correct or retract these publications, issue a prominent and public apology to the President of the United States and to Ms. Wiles, and remove the false reporting from your digital archives. Failure to do so or otherwise respond justifying Politico's publications within 48 hours will prompt an immediate review of Politico's relationship with the White House, and, of course, consideration of all other appropriate and available legal remedies."

Politico responded on Wednesday, insisting it strives for accuracy in its reporting and "categorically rejects the false accusations" that it "chose to publish fanciful fiction" and "purposeful falsehoods designed to mislead the public." 

"That said, Politico takes seriously assertions like those made in your letter. Accordingly, consistent with its commitment to ensuring its reporting is as accurate as possible, Politico re-examined all three articles identified in your letter and did follow up reporting," Politico's attorney wrote in a letter obtained by Fox News Digital. 

"As a result, Politico determined it was appropriate to correct one of the three articles identified in your letter," the letter continued. 

Politico did not offer an apology to Trump and Wiles or correct the report that Trump was considering moving on from Wiles. Instead, Politico corrected an article to note that Wiles simply offered "positive reinforcement" for then-White House press secretary Katie Zacharia's Fox News appearance on "Hannity" last week before she stepped down, but did not play a direct role in booking the interview. 

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"The updated version of that article, reflecting the information obtained through Politico's further reporting, has now been published. Promptly and transparently making corrections, as Politico has done here, is a hallmark of journalistic ethics and integrity, and of the very professionalism your letter falsely claims Politico is lacking," Politico's attorney wrote. 

The White House did not immediately respond when asked for comment. 

Politico has been in the crosshairs of the Trump administration in recent weeks as among the outlets that were banned by the White House last month, which had been reversed by a judge's ruling.

"To be clear, any error that you could identify in Politico's reporting about the President or his administration would not excuse the White House's unconstitutional retaliation and discrimination against Politico for the content of its news coverage," Politico's response said. 

"The White House's efforts to retaliate against Politico for its constitutionally protected journalism, and to discriminate against Politico based on what the President perceives to be its editorial viewpoint is a profound affront to the most fundamental constitutional rights," the response continued. "Politico will defend its journalism and the right of its reporters to pursue their mission and report fearlessly on the President and other White House officials for the benefit of the American public, notwithstanding the White House's ongoing attempts to intimidate Politico and chill and punish that reporting."

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Americans traveling to China are being warned about the possibility of detention, electronic surveillance and restrictions that could keep them from returning home, with a travel expert sharing critical information for people to know before they go. 

The U.S. State Department issued an updated Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" advisory for mainland China this week, citing concerns about wrongful detention and restrictions on leaving the country.

Travelers are told to be aware that routine professional, academic and personal activities, which carry no risk in Western countries, could be treated as criminal offenses under China's broad security laws.

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The advisory also raises concerns about private communications, warning Americans that emails, texts and social media activity could be monitored by Chinese authorities.

"Assume that China's security services can read your emails, texts and social media posts if you send them to or from China," the Oct. 19 advisory states.

The State Department said some people have been detained or deported over private messages considered critical of Chinese authorities, even when those messages were sent outside China.

The risks extend beyond electronic communications.

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The State Department elaborated on possible detention without justification.

"The U.S. Department of State has determined that Americans are at serious risk of wrongful detention by the Government of China," the advisory states.

Those detained could spend years behind bars with limited contact with family members or U.S. officials, according to the department.

Travelers could also face restrictions that prevent them from leaving the country, even if they have not been detained.

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Chinese authorities have used the "exit bans" during investigations and business or civil disputes. Exit bans have also affected relatives of people under investigation, including children, according to the advisory.

Some travelers may not know they're prohibited from leaving until they try to fly home.

"U.S. citizens might only become aware of an exit ban when they attempt to depart China," the State Department said.

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Some bans have lasted for years. Officials warn there may be no clear way to challenge them in court.

Americans who plan to visit China are advised to travel with a U.S. passport and valid Chinese visa, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and arrange regular check-ins with family members or an employer.

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. State Department for further comment.

"Be aware of your surroundings. Think before you take a picture," advised Bobby Laurie, a longtime travel expert and former flight attendant.

"This is one of those situations where maybe you were spotted taking pictures of law enforcement on the street, or you were somewhere you shouldn't have been. Maybe you were inadvertently near a protest on the streets," he added. 

"Then as your trip comes to an end, you head to the airport. You scan your boarding pass, ready to get through immigration to fly home. And then you realize you're actually not allowed to fly home. There has been an exit ban placed on you."

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He said anyone traveling to China should go with "a cell phone or electronic device that is really stripped down just to what you need for your trip."

Leave confidential information at home, he also urged.