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DC Mayor Bowser jets off for Las Vegas weekend 'mission' after ritzy Masters trip on taxpayers' dime
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and her entourage are set to travel to Las Vegas on a business trip, shortly after the Democratic mayor faced scrutiny for going on a taxpayer-funded trip to the Masters Golf tournament.
A description of the event on the mayor’s public calendar said that she would attend the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) on an "economic mission."
"On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Mayor Bowser will attend the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) LAS VEGAS to attract retail to the District of Columbia," the description said. "This economic mission is coordinated by the Washington, DC Economic Partnership, which has organized the District’s presence at ICSC since 2001."
In a press release, Bowser's office touted the benefits reaped by attending the ICSCS.
"We know that Washingtonians in every part of DC want access to fantastic amenities. From the Lidl in Ward 7 to the Wegmans in Ward 3, those are conversations that started at ICSC," said Bowser. "Through programs like the Food Access Fund and the Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, we have made good progress in filling amenity gaps, but there is still more to do to ensure greater accessibility and equity – and filling those gaps and supporting the continued transformation of Downtown will be a focus of this trip."
Bowser will attend the conference, which is held at Wynn Las Vegas, along with 14 other elected officials and staff members.
District government representatives attending ICSC will include:
Elected officials' goals at the conference include "expanding the Washington, D.C. brand as a premier business environment and investment opportunity; generating business leads for major development projects and DC’s neighborhood corridors, including Downtown; fostering business relationships and engaging with new prospects including retailers and brokers for later cultivation; and promoting the unique retail and restaurant opportunities in our neighborhoods," Bowser's office said in a press release.
The latest trip comes after the Democratic mayor faced scrutiny over transparency about her trip to the Master's Tournament in Augusta, Georgia last month.
According to the mayor's public schedule, Bowser attended the world-renowned golf tournament, "as part of a sports and economic development visit."
Her team said that the mayor was invited by a major real estate company that does business in D.C.
Bowser had previously defended her taxpayer-funded trip to the world-renowned tournament, telling FOX 5 that they have "tried to be transparent."
"We tried to be transparent, so I don’t know what questions you have that remain. We disclosed – I don’t know what questions you have that remain; we expect an invoice if it hasn’t – we haven’t received it yet from EDENS," Bowser told FOX 5.
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Bowser said that the trip to the Master's tournament cost between $5,000 and $6,000 per person.
"… I believe that the estimated costs were in the range of $5-$6,000 and that’s for air travel … per person," she told the local outlet.
The mayor did not say how much the trip to Las Vegas would cost.
The mayor defended her taxpayer-funded trip, saying that Washington D.C is the "sports capital."
"Listen, voters have placed their trust in me to make the best decisions for the District for the last 15 years, including three elections as mayor. We made no secret about the fact that we make sports investments," Bowser said. "We are the sports capital, and we are going to promote the District in every corner of the world, and that has been my experience as mayor."
Fox News has reached out to Mayor Bowser's office, Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Councilmember Brooke Pinto and Councilmember Zachary Parker for comment.
Seize The Grey wins 149th Preakness Stakes; Mystik Dan finishes 2nd
Seize The Grey won the 149th Preakness Stakes Saturday, closing at 9-1 odds, one of the longest shots on the board.
Mystik Dan, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, made a move late, but finished second in the field of eight horses running in the $2 million, 1 3/16-mile race.
It was a wire-to-wire victory for Seize The Grey, who led by several lengths at the ¾-mile mark, with Imagination trailing closely behind.
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Mystik Dan and Imagination both crept up, and as much as Mystik Dan tried to maneuver past the leader, nothing worked. Seize The Grey crossed the finish line first.
D. Wayne Lukas, 88, became the oldest trainer to win the Preakness, his seventh victory in the race, one shy of Bob Baffert's record.
The original favorite, Muth, trained by the controversial Baffert, was scratched earlier this week due to a spiking fever. That led to Mystik Dan becoming the favorite in his quest to be the first Triple Crown winner since Justify in 2018.
Muth opened as the 8-5 favorite, ahead of Mystik Dan at 5-2 (he later closed at 2-1). Baffert said the horse was ruled out after reaching a temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit roughly 12 hours after arriving at the racecourse.
It was unknown for a bit whether Mystik Dan would run after his Kentucky Derby victory, but ownership decided he was good to go.
No one in the race’s 149-year history has saddled more horses in the Preakness than Lukas with 48 since debuting in 1980. He had two this time, with Just Steel finishing fifth.
Baffert was at Pimlico after missing his third straight Kentucky Derby due to suspension. He is slated to be back at Churchill Downs in 2025. His National Treasure won last year's Preakness.
The final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, will take place at Saratoga Race Course June 8.
Fox News' Paulina Dedaj and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
CNN political commentator Alice Stewart dies at age 58
CNN commentator and longtime Republican political adviser Alice Stewart has died suddenly at the age of 58.
Stewart was found early Saturday morning in a neighborhood in northern Virginia. Law enforcement officials believed she died from a medical emergency, according to reports, and no foul play is suspected.
"Alice was a very dear friend and colleague to all of us at CNN," network CEO Mark Thompson wrote in a message to network staff on Saturday, according to CNN. "A political veteran and an Emmy Award-winning journalist who brought an incomparable spark to CNN’s coverage, known across our bureaus not only for her political savvy, but for her unwavering kindness. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn such an extraordinary loss."
Stewart was an established communications veteran in Republican politics before joining CNN as a commentator in 2016. She served as communications director for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's 2016 presidential campaign, the 2008 and 2016 presidential campaigns of Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and the 2012 bids of former Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
"Heartbreaking. Alice was wonderful and talented and a dear friend," Cruz wrote on X Saturday. "And she loved America fiercely. She lived every day to the fullest, and she will be deeply missed. May God’s comfort and peace be upon her loved ones. RIP."
CNN's Dana Bash called her a "woman's woman who brought kindness and support along with smarts and expertise."
Stewart also previously served as deputy secretary of state for Arkansas.
Before she got into politics, Stewart had an extensive media career, working as a reporter and anchor in Little Rock, Arkansas and Savannah, Georgia, as well as an associate producer in her hometown of Atlanta, according to her biography at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics. She was also hosting a podcast with fellow CNN commentator Maria Cardona upon her death.
Stewart was a frequent guest on CNN shows, providing a unique perspective on the network as a Republican who voted for Donald Trump. In an interview in 2020 with Harvard Political Review, Deadline noted, Stewart was open about her viewpoints.
"My role at CNN is to be a conservative commentator; I provide my perspective on the politics of the day from my conservative viewpoint," she told HPR. "There are different facets of conservatism these days. There are people who are supportive of Donald Trump, and there are never-Trumpers. I support the president, but there are a lot of things I don’t agree with regarding his tone and demeanor, and I call him out on it when necessary."
On CNN Saturday, Stewart was honored and mourned throughout the day. Tributes also poured in online, with friends and colleagues praising her as a smart, funny and kind friend.
"We always invited her to come on my show because we knew we would be a little bit smarter at the end of that conversation," CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer said on Saturday.
"Alice Stewart was a kind, talented, and faith-filled woman of God. She will be sincerely missed. My heart and my prayers go out to her family," Fox News' Kayleigh McEnany wrote on X.
NASCAR driver belly-flops into massive flood on pit road as rain postpones race
A monstrous rainstorm postponed Saturday's NASCAR truck race, but those on the track still made the most of it.
The storm moved through North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, site of Sunday's All-Star Open and Saturday's Craftsman Truck Series Wright Brand 250.
Pole qualifying was canceled Saturday morning, but the race started on time, as positioning was set per the rule book. However, lightning in the area brought the red flag out on Lap 81 at roughly 2:30 p.m. ET.
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Fans were asked to clear the grandstand and take cover as rain began to fall.
NASCAR then announced at 5:05 p.m. ET the remainder of the race would be postponed until 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, and heat races for the All-Star Open slated for Saturday were canceled. Positioning for the race will be set based on the rule book.
Rain flooded pit road so badly, it was roughly thigh-high for some on the track.
NASCAR STAR’S DAUGHTER BRINGS RACE-WINNING AMERICAN FLAG TO SCHOOL: I’M SO ‘PROUD’
One person in a video taken by FOX Business senior producer Justin Freiman could be seen swimming and diving in the water.
A few seconds later, a driver did a belly flop.
The weather affected racing Friday night, as well. All-Star Race qualifying and a pit crew challenge at North Wilkesboro Speedway scheduled for Friday night has been postponed due to rain.
NASCAR announced Saturday and Sunday tickets would be honored Sunday with some stipulations.
Saturday ticketholders will receiver "priority seating" for the finish of the truck race, while those who have tickets for Sunday will then get seating for the All-Star Race, in the event of same-seat purchases.
Twenty drivers will participate in the $1 million All-Star Race following the conclusion of the Wright Brand 250.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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In Israel visit, Stefanik to tout Trump's record on Jewish state, reject Biden policies: 'No excuse'
House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., will blast President Biden as she seeks to reassure Israel during a speech at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, Sunday morning.
Her prepared remarks were obtained by Fox News Digital ahead of the address. Stefanik will be the highest-ranking House member to visit Israel since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. She will be introduced by the Israeli speaker, according to her office.
The New York Republican is also planning to meet with high-level government officials and pay her respects to locations attacked by Hamas in October. She plans to tout her decades-long support for the Jewish state as a senior member of the House Armed Services and House Intelligence committees.
In her speech, Stefanik calls herself "a lifelong admirer, supporter and friend of Israel and the Jewish people."
STEFANIK HITS SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH WITH ETHICS COMPLAINT, ACCUSES HIM OF ELECTION MEDDLING
"I am lucky to have had the privilege of traveling here many times before, but I must confess that this time feels different," Stefanik's speech states. "The stakes feel higher. Our sense of moral, patriotic duty feels heightened, renewed."
In the remarks, Stefanik praises former President Trump for his relationship with Israel during his administration, and she criticizes Biden for his administration's controversial measures during the Israel-Hamas war. In November 2023, the Biden administration extended a waiver that allowed Iran to access $10 billion previously in escrow, prompting widespread criticism.
The White House recently paused a weapons shipment to Israel out of concern about an invasion of Rafah, before deciding to move forward with the sale earlier this week.
"There is no excuse for an American president to block aid to Israel, aid that was duly passed by the Congress, or to ease sanctions on Iran, paying a $6 billion ransom to the world’s leading state sponsor of terror, or to dither and hide while our friends fight for their lives. No excuse," the speech states. "Full stop."
STEFANIK HITS BACK AT HOUSE DEMOCRAT PUSHING TO CENSURE HER: 'DESPERATE FREE FALL'
The Republican leader's address to the Knesset will express support for "every measure to aid Israel that has come before the U.S. Congress," and tout her history as "a leading proponent and partner to President Trump in his historic support for Israeli independence and security."
"If I leave you with one message today, it’s this: The majority of Americans support you, and we always will since President Truman’s recognition of Israel 11 minutes after David Ben-Gurion declared Israel’s independence 76 years and 5 days ago," the address says. "America stands with Israel."
Before concluding her speech, the politician will take aim at Ivy League universities for their responses to chaotic protests and anti-Israel encampments.
"We must not let the extremism in ‘elite’ corners conceal the deep, abiding love for Israel among the American people," the speech adds. "Most Americans feel a strong connection to your people. They have opened their hearts to you in this dark hour."
Florida fisherman catches 12-foot tiger shark: ‘One to remember’
Owen Prior is an experienced fisherman, but even he was surprised when he reeled in a 12-foot tiger shark at Jacksonville Beach in Florida last weekend.
This is definitely one to remember for sure," Prior, who runs First Coast Surf Fishing in Jacksonville Beach, told FOX 35 Orlando of his personal record catch.
"I’ve caught hundreds of sharks up to a 14-foot hammerhead, but that was my personal best tiger shark," he said.
Prior said the massive shark took roughly 25 minutes to reel in, and, since tiger sharks are protected in Florida, he "snapped a quick pic and let her go on her way."
Prior and his friends had been waiting at the beach for around 12 hours when the shark bit his stingray bait at around 4 a.m.
"I was actually dead asleep when it happened and my friend, he was screaming ‘Owen!’ woke me up," he said.
He ran down toward the hook "and the rest is history."
FEMALE GREAT WHITE SHARK SPOTTED TWICE OFF ALABAMA COAST IN PAST MONTH
"I felt some weight for sure, I knew it was going to be a bigger fish," he explained. "There’s some sharks that fight harder than others and believe it or not, tigers do not fight as hard as they might seem they do."
He called tiger sharks "notoriously lazy," adding that they, and sharks as a whole, are often "opportunistic" about bait.
"I got lucky for sure, it was barely hooked," he told FOX 35, explaining that he doesn’t use barbs on his hooks to make the release smoother.
"All in all, it was a great experience having the ability to feel the power of a large shark like that and even better being able to safely remove the hook and watch her swim away back into the abyss with a free meal," he told the news station. "It's one to remember."
Prior said he's next setting his sights on tarpon.
Tarpon are coming," said Prior, who added he’s "not just a shark guy."
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He said he reeled in a "huge tarpon" last year and the water is "speaking tarpon to me."
Jessica Biel almost quit Hollywood before ‘The Sinner,’ admits she's 'still fighting' for roles
Jessica Biel revealed she almost quit Hollywood before executive-producing and starring in the hit series "The Sinner."
During an appearance on "The Bright Side" podcast, the 42-year-old actress recalled how she became discouraged after co-founding her production company Iron Ocean and struggling for over a decade to get a project picked up.
"Doors did not open at all, even being in the business for so long," Biel said.
"I've had this production company with my partner, Michelle Purple, for 20 years. I started it with her when I was 22, and for the first 10 years, we had almost no success at all.
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"We had a very challenging time getting any story told."
The "7th Heaven" alum explained she and Purple produced a short film and a full-length feature movie, which she described as a "labor of love." However, the two were unable to sell either project.
"And then not until many years later, that's when we were introduced to "The Sinner" and then built that show from the ground up," Biel said.
"When we were actually selling that show, Michelle and I looked at each other, and she said, 'If we don't sell this show, I'm quitting.'
"I said, 'Me too, I'm quitting. I'm not doing this. I don't know — if this show doesn't sell, I don't know what people want. I don't know what to bring them. I don't understand this business anymore. I just don't get it anymore.'
"And then we sold it in the room," Biel added. "It was so weird."
In "The Sinner," Biel played troubled mother Cora Tannetti, who shockingly stabs an apparent stranger to death while enjoying a beach day with her family. Because Cora has no idea why she committed the murder, police Det. Harry Ambrose sets out to determine the motive for her actions.
The actress was nominated for an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her performance in "The Sinner," which was made into an anthology series that ran for four seasons.
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Biel and Purple went on to produce the 2022 Hulu miniseries "Candy," which also starred the "Total Recall" actress. The duo executive-produce the hit thriller series "Cruel Summer."
While speaking on "The Bright Side" podcast, Biel shared that it was a "humbling" experience to prove she could be a successful producer despite having an established acting career.
"It was basically like starting over on some level," she said.
"The Illusionist" star noted the industry was very different years ago, and there was little interest in female-driven projects.
"It was a time when nobody cared about women's stories," Biel said. "It was before we had this amazing runway for powerful, complex female stories.
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"So, it just wasn't the right time either, and we were fighting against all the elements. It was a very humbling experience, and it still continues to be humbling."
Biel said achieving success in Hollywood can be difficult for anyone.
"I don't find that my industry — or being an actor or producer — is easy in any way, shape or form," she said.
"It is so much blood, sweat and tears that you put into getting these projects made, and so many of the things we work on never, ever come to fruition.
"I feel like most producers would say the same thing, that they have that experience, and it's very hard. And also on my own just sort of separating my company from my own acting career."
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The "Total Recall" star explained she still faces challenges landing roles as an actress.
"I am fighting for those roles that I really want and auditioning and not getting them," she said. "Still hearing nos, like a lot of nos.
"It's a humbling business all around," Biel added. "And I think it might always be that way."
19 UPenn anti-Israel protesters arrested after attempt to occupy building: police
Nineteen anti-Israel agitators were arrested at the University of Pennsylvania on Friday night, after hundreds of protesters descended onto a campus building and attempted to occupy it.
Police confirmed to Fox News Digital that there were 19 arrests following the protest at the university's Fisher Bennett Hall.
According to the university, six students were among those arrested, while 12 people were cited for failure to disperse, among other charges. Twelve individuals were later released, FOX 29 reported.
The university confirmed that seven other people are still in custody and are awaiting felony charges, including one for assault of a police officer.
The UPenn Police Department announced in a community notice that a "large disorderly crowd" began gathering at 8 p.m. Friday, and moved into Fisher Bennett Hall on the university's campus and attempted to occupy it.
Law enforcement advised students to "avoid the immediate area."
Campus police, along with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department, escorted the protesters from the building.
The occupation came one week after police dismantled an encampment that had taken over part of the Ivy League's campus for two weeks.
In a statement, members of the Penn Gaza Solidarity Encampment accused the University of Penn administration of not negotiating with them in good faith over "Penn’s investment with Israel."
Shane Lowry ties records for lowest round, score to par in a major at PGA Championship
Shane Lowry was eight shots back of the lead when he teed off over an hour and a half before the final group of the third round of the PGA Championship. When he entered the clubhouse, he was just one stroke back.
That's because the Irishman shot a 9-under 62 on Saturday at Valhalla, tying the records for the lowest round and lowest score to par in a major.
Xander Schauffele did the same on Thursday, tying the record of 62 that he already had a share of. It also was tied for the lowest score to par.
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Lowry had a shot at history, reaching the par-5 18th in three and leaving himself about 10 feet for an unprecedented 61 in a major.
But his putt never broke right, and he tapped in for par to tie Schauffele (Thursday and the 2023 U.S. Open), Rickie Fowler (2023 U.S. Open) and Branden Grace (2017 Open Championship).
The putt was to also tie Schauffele for the tournament lead at 14-under, but Lowry has more than put himself in position to win his second major. At the time of publishing, he was tied for second with 2020 PGA Champion Collin Morikawa.
He was in disbelief when it didn't drop, but he seemed happy when he realized a tie wasn't too bad.
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Lowry parred the first hole, then birdied his next four before alternating between par and birdie from holes six through nine, entering the turn with a 29.
He birdied 13, 14, and 17 en route to the bogey-free round. In all, he knocked down over 161 feet in putts, including back-to-back birdies of 37 feet, four inches and 32 feet, six inches at 13 and 14.
Lowry's best finish at the PGA Championship is tying for fourth in 2021, when Phil Mickelson won at Kiawah Island to become the oldest major winner ever. Lowry also tied his lowest round, which he shot at Liberty National in Jersey City at the 2021 Northern Trust.
His lone major victory came at the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
With a win Sunday, he'd become the 21st multi-time winner of the PGA Championship and the first since Justin Thomas in 2022.
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Rep. Crockett ripped for hawking T-shirt based on feud with MTG: ‘Start by spelling your last name correctly’
Social media users mocked Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, for announcing she was selling T-shirts based on her mid-hearing feud with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and appearing to have her own name misspelled on the image of the shirts.
Crockett’s critics swarmed a post on X, formerly Twitter, she shared Friday announcing the merchandise, which featured an image of the clothing emblazoned with an insult she hurled at Greene during their spat at a congressional hearing the previous evening.
Eagle-eyed X users pointed out that Crockett’s signature on the bottom of the shirt appeared to be misspelled.
"I'd start by spelling your last name correctly," OutKick contributor Riley Gaines, who hosts "Gaines for Girls," wrote of Crockett’s post.
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Crockett’s merchandise idea followed the outbursts by her, Greene and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., during a Thursday night House Oversight Committee hearing convened to determine whether Attorney General Merrick Garland should be held in contempt after he refused to turn over audio recordings between President Biden and special counsel Robert Hur.
The spat began when Greene took shots at Crockett’s "fake eyelashes."
The bickering continued as AOC came to Crockett’s defense, saying, "I do have a point of order, and I would like to move to take down Ms. Greene’s words. That is absolutely unacceptable. How dare you attack the physical appearance of another person? Move her words down."
After Greene shot back with some more mockery, AOC exclaimed, "Oh girl, baby girl — don’t even play!"
Crockett also fired back at Greene’s personal appearance, describing her as having a "bleach blonde, bad-built, butch body."
Crockett put her "bleach blonde" viral insult on a T-shirt and shared an image of it to X as soon-to-drop merchandise.
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"So we are going to drop ‘A Crockett Clapback Collection,’" she wrote in the caption. "This collection will feature various swag that includes random things I’ve said. The money will go to ensuring that we have a Democratic House! Give me a little time to really get the swag online etc., but B6 will drop first."
"If you have things you want to see come to life let me know. Post graphics or just phrases that you want to see."
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At the bottom of the T-shirt in the image, Crockett’s signature appeared to be spelled "Crockrtt."
A user asked who "Crockrtt" is, to which the congresswoman replied, "Order a shirt and you will see."
Conservative musician "Five Times August" blasted the shirt, saying, "What an embarrassment. For Texas. For the whole country. ‘Leaders’ like you prove we have none. We are screwed."
"The shirt says ‘Crockrtt,'" he added in another post. "She was so anxious to milk the attention for money she couldn’t even take the time to get her own name right. #proofread Why are people like this given power? Friggin’ beyond embarrassing. Disgraceful."
Conservative personality Kimberly Klacik called the move a "branding mistake."
Journalist Brad Polumbo saw the post and wrote: "You are not fit for office. Resign."
Crockett's team did not immediately reply to Fox News Digital's request for comment.