Minnesota child care providers face Jan. 9 deadline or lose funding

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January 3, 2026

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Minnesota officials have until next week to turn over information on child care providers and parents receiving federal funds or risk losing federal child care funding, according to a notice sent to providers.

Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) told child care providers in an email Friday that information about funding recipients has to be sent to the federal government by Jan. 9, The Associated Press reported.

The notification came after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said Tuesday it will freeze all child care payments to Minnesota following fraud allegations involving some child care centers.

“We recognize the alarm and questions this has raised,” DCYF said in the email. “We found out about the freezing of funds at the same time everyone else did on social media.”

MINNESOTA FRAUD COMMITTEE CHAIR CLAIMS WALZ ‘TURNED A BLIND EYE’ TO FRAUD WARNINGS FOR YEARS

HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill announced the halt of childcare subsidies to Minnesota on Dec. 30. (HHSTV1 via YouTube)

The DCYF instructed providers and families relying on the frozen funds to continue the program’s “licensing and certification requirements and practices as usual.” The email does not say if recipients need to take any action or provide any information.

The state agency said it “did not receive a formal communication from the federal government until late Tuesday night,” after the DHS announced it would freeze all child care payments to Minnesota.

All states must submit additional verification before receiving more child care funding.

CNN ROASTED FOR ‘EFFORT TO DISCREDIT’ SHIRLEY’S VIRAL REPORTING ON ALLEGED FRAUD AT MINNESOTA DAYCARE CENTERS

Nick Shirley upended the news cycle last week with a 42-minute video investigating Minnesota daycare centers that appeared inactive despite receiving millions of dollars in government funding. (Nick Shirley)

On Friday, the DCYF said the state Office of Inspector General conducted on-site compliance checks this week at nine child care centers referenced in a viral video by independent journalist Nick Shirley, who was accusing them of committing fraud.

In his video, Shirley visited several Minnesota child care facilities, including the Quality Learning Center in Minneapolis, which he said appeared inactive despite receiving state child care assistance funds.

Investigators found the centers operating “as expected,” according to DYCF, and children were present at all sites except for one, which it said was not yet open for families at the time of the visit.

The department said it has ongoing investigations at four of the centers, and has 55 open investigations involving providers receiving funding through the Child Care Assistance Program.

INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST SAYS HE’S GOTTEN DEATH THREATS, TOLD HE’LL BE ‘KIRKED’ OVER MINNESOTA FRAUD VIRAL VIDEO

Children sleep during nap time at Minnesota Child Care in Minneapolis, Minn., on Dec. 30. (Renee Jones Schneider/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)

At a news conference Monday, Minnesota DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown said prior inspections of the centers did not uncover fraud, noting that regulators are conducting unannounced visits in response to concerns raised by the video.

“We are aware of a video that’s being circulated that has gained local and national attention about childcare centers in Minnesota,” Brown said. “While we have questions about some of the methods that were used in the video, we do take the concerns that the video raises about fraud very seriously.”

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner, Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Hawaii cruise tax halted by federal court injunction ruling decision

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January 2, 2026

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Hawaii’s “Green Fee” bill was set to raise tourist taxes quite substantially to help fund “climate change” mitigation this year — but now a judge has halted the provision.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), along with a cruise ship supplier, filed a lawsuit in early September challenging state tax and county finance officials in the Aloha State, as Fox News Digital previously reported.

On Dec. 31, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction pending appeal.

HISTORIC LANDMARK TO BEGIN CHARGING FOREIGN VISITORS AMID OVERCROWDING BATTLES

It temporarily blocks enforcement of the cruise-ship tax while the appeals proceed, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

The Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) planned to raise the tax on tourists who stay at Hawaii hotels while imposing a new 11% tax on cruises, according to the text of the bill.

Hawaii’s “Green Fee” cruise ship tax has been temporarily blocked by a Ninth Circuit court injunction after the Cruise Lines International Association filed a lawsuit challenging the 11% tourist tax. (iStock)

Toni Schwartz, spokesperson for the Hawaii attorney general’s office, told AP the office “remain[s] confident that Act 96 is lawful and will be vindicated when the appeal is heard on the merits.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the CLIA for comment.

Portions of the revenue raised would go into the “Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Special Fund.”

The association previously told Fox News Digital it “believe[s] the extension violates both the U.S. Constitution and federal law, while imposing an additional financial burden on passengers already subject to substantial fees and taxes.”

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The association also pointed out the benefits that cruise tourism brings as a major economic driver of the state.

“We remain confident that Act 96 is lawful and will be vindicated when the appeal is heard on the merits,” said a spokesperson for the Hawaii attorney general’s office. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

“Extending the TAT to cruise passengers threatens to deter visitors whose spending fuels this economic engine, risking job losses and eroding the financial stability of businesses dependent on tourism,” CLIA added.

The lawsuit points out that the state’s counties each add their own 3% surcharge on top of the state’s tax — bringing the total tax to 14%.

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Portions of the revenue raised would go into the “Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Special Fund” and the “Economic Development and Revitalization Special Fund,” according to the bill.

Some 168,123 visitors traveled to Hawaii by cruise ship in the year 2024. (iStock)

The bill addresses invasive species, wildlife conservation, and beach management and restoration.

It will also help fund a “green jobs youth corps,” as well as areas of environmental concern.

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In 2024, 168,123 visitors traveled to Hawaii by cruise ship, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

The “Green Fee” is projected to generate $100 million annually, according to the release.

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The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Ashley J. DiMella is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

Professor says modern history curriculum misrepresents colonialism, slave trade

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January 2, 2026

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A professor and author who penned a book rebutting much of the modern teaching of American history in classrooms nationwide told Fox News Digital that today’s curriculum intentionally presents Western culture in a negative light.

Wilfred Reilly is the author of “Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me” and an associate professor of political science at Kentucky State University. He said his book is a response to “Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong,” Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History” series, as well as other left-wing curriculum like the 1619 Project.

“There are all these books that try to do two things really,” Reilly said. “One is [to] present Western culture as probably the worst culture in the history of the world, and the other is kind of take this sort of sneaky approach to that by saying like, ‘and I bet you didn’t know these facts, these hidden facts that they’re not telling you in school.'”

Wilfred Reilly speaks with Fox News Digital about his book, “Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me,” in December 2025. (Fox News Digital)

Reilly takes issue with what he sees as an often oversimplified and non-contextualized curriculum regarding colonialism and slavery, among other topics.

BOMBSHELL REPORT EXPOSES ‘DEEPLY CONCERNING’ MIDWEST UNIVERSITY INITIATIVE PUSHING FAR-LEFT K-12 LESSON PLANS

“So, I actually responded to what we’re actually learning by looking through these guys, like the 1619 curriculum, and kind of focusing on what they got wrong from the left,” said Reilly.

In the case of slavery, Reilly noted that modern educators are teaching only a sliver of the whole story.

“What we’re teaching is a focus on kind of the latter part of the Atlantic slave trade, which was one of about 20 global slave trades,” he said. “And the reason that we’re teaching this is because it allows the pedagogue, the professor or the teacher, a chance to segue into the modern oppression of Black people. That’s it. That’s why that’s a focus.”

Conservatives, and critical historians, have generally argued that the 1619 Project distorted the true history of the U.S. with many of Nikole Hannah-Jones’ claims, but the mainstream media has largely turned a blind eye to negative feedback. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

CRITICS SAY K-12 ETHNIC STUDIES PUSH TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT CISHETERONORMATIVITY, BLACK PANTHER PARTY

Native American history also lacks critical context, according to Reilly.

“I think the current presentation of Native Americans would be that they were peaceful, Gaia-worshiping people who were intentionally exterminated by the Europeans, and that’s fantastically false,” said Reilly.

“The Natives were people who had their own motivations, incentives, and drives, and who often competed very successfully with the Europeans,” he continued. “They were also some of the greatest warriors in history, especially the Plains Indians, on par with the Mongols. The Indian Wars took 400 years. The United States is 2% Native today. I mean, so the depiction is just completely factually false.“

Colonialism, he said, isn’t unique to the United States, either.

Blackfoot People Native Americans dressed in full ceremonial traditional clothing at an annual stamppage, Browning, Montana, around 1930. (Herbert C. Lanks/FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

“Most countries, from time to time, engaged in international wars and took land,” he said. “This was not simply something that White countries did.”

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Like the Mongol and Persian Empires, according to Reilly, White Europeans conquered land, which was completely normal throughout most of history.

“Anyway, in that world, White colonialism, European colonialism, was just one variant on if you invite us in as a partner or if we win a war with you, we’re going to take some land, and we’re going to impose external governance on that land. No one thought of the imposition of external governance as evil.”

Peter D’Abrosca is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering campus extremism in higher education.

Follow Peter on X at @pmd_reports. Send story tips to peter.dabrosca@fox.com.

Ancient bathtub and statue fragments found by archaeologists in Ephesus ruins in Turkey

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January 2, 2026

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Extraordinary ancient finds were recently unearthed in Ephesus, the Turkish city where Paul the Apostle once preached.

The discovery was announced by Anadolu Agency (AA), a state-run outlet in Ankara, on Dec. 12. Ephesus is also known as being one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

The star of the excavation was a Roman-era marble bathtub, along with the fragment of a male statue’s torso that was later reused as a paving stone.

GOLD TREASURE SURVIVES 1,400 YEARS AT ANCIENT CHRISTIAN MONASTERY IN BIBLICAL JUDEAN DESERT

Archaeologist Serdar Aybek, speaking to AA, said the bathtub dates back to the first century A.D. Unlike Ephesus’s large, public bath complexes, the one that was recently uncovered was likely “intended for domestic use.”

“It is an unusual discovery because it is not something we encounter frequently,” Aybek said.

Archaeological finds uncovered in Ephesus, the ancient city where Paul the Apostle once preached, include a Roman-era marble bathtub and a statue fragment reused as a paving stone. (Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images; Mehmet Emin Menguarslan/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“We believe it belonged to the Terrace Houses and was used in the first century A.D.,” he added. “We found it during work at the theater, and its size shows it was used in a house.”

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The bathtub was found along the ancient Stadium Street. It likely belonged to Ephesus’s Terrace Houses complex, where wealthy Roman families lived in lavish villas.

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The bathtub was carved with Greco Scritto marble — a regional variety with distinct black veins — and measured almost 5 feet long, 2.5 feet wide and 2 feet high, authorities said.

Researchers say the Roman-era bathtub was likely used in a private home rather than at the large public bath complexes. (Mehmet Emin Menguarslan/Anadolu via Getty Images)

After being used by a high-income household, the bath was later repurposed as a fountain trough.

Aybek also described the discovery of the statue fragment, which dated between the first century B.C. and the first century A.D., as “completely unexpected.”

The statue of the unidentified man was carved into multiple parts and attached together before it was later dismantled.

The statue fragment dates between the first century B.C. and the first century A.D., archaeologists said. (Mehmet Emin Menguarslan/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Archaeologists found it face-down — and said it was used as a paving stone in the roadway.

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The discoveries have come on the heels of many recent Asia Minor discoveries linked to early Christian history.

Ephesus is known for being one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation. (Mehmet Emin Menguarslan/Anadolu via Getty Images)

In October, a 1,500-year-old Christian floor mosaic was found in Urfa, a city traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Abraham.

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In Laodicea — a city also mentioned in the Book of Revelation — the remains of a massive Roman council hall were unearthed this summer.

Maduro says Venezuela ready to negotiate drug trafficking deal with US

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January 2, 2026

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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said Thursday that his government is open to negotiating an agreement with the United States after months of American military pressure targeting drug trafficking networks tied to his government.

In a pre-taped interview with Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet that aired on state television, Maduro said Venezuela is “ready” to discuss a drug-trafficking deal with the U.S. He called on the countries to “start talking seriously, with data in hand.”

“The U.S. government knows, because we’ve told many of their spokespeople, that if they want to seriously discuss an agreement to combat drug trafficking, we’re ready,” he said. “If they want oil, Venezuela is ready for U.S. investment, like with Chevron, whenever they want it, wherever they want it and however they want it.”

Chevron Corp. is the only major U.S. oil company currently exporting Venezuelan crude to the United States.

MADURO TRAPPED WITH FEW RETALIATION OPTIONS AFTER TRUMP ADMIN SEIZES VENEZUELAN OIL TANKER

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro looks on during a meeting at the National Assembly in Caracas, Aug. 22, 2025. (Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images)

Maduro said the U.S. wants a regime change in Venezuela and access to its oil reserves through a months-long pressure campaign that began with a major military deployment to the Caribbean Sea in August.

He said it is clear the U.S. wants “to impose themselves through threats, intimidation and force.”

The interview was recorded on New Year’s Eve, the same day the U.S. military announced a kinetic strike that killed five people aboard two vessels operated by designated terrorist organizations involved in narcotics trafficking.

SEN. KENNEDY DOUBLES DOWN ON VENEZUELA CRACKDOWN, URGES SANCTIONS TO ‘CHOKE OFF’ FUNDS

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro joined a rally in Caracas on Dec. 10. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

At least 114 people have been killed since the U.S. began bombing alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific in early September.

The U.S. may be signaling a possible expansion of its Venezuela-focused campaign, including potential ground operations.

President Donald Trump confirmed that a strike last week targeted what he described as a Venezuelan port used for drug trafficking, but declined to say whether the operation was carried out by the U.S. military or another entity, such as the CIA.

SOUTHCOM SAYS 8 NARCO-TERRORISTS KILLED IN LATEST EASTERN PACIFIC LETHAL KINETIC STRIKES

USSOUTHCOM announced another kinetic strike against alleged naro-terrorist vessels on Wednesday, Dec. 31. (@Southcom via X)

Maduro declined to comment on that strike during the interview, but said he could “talk about it in a few days.”

In recent weeks, Trump has intensified pressure on Maduro, ordering a total blockade of oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, designating his regime a foreign terrorist organization, and accusing it of using stolen U.S. assets to fund terrorism, drug trafficking and other criminal activity.

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U.S. authorities have also seized two ships carrying sanctioned oil.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner, Morgan Phillips, Jasmine Baehr and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Remove personal information from data brokers in 2026 for protection

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January 1, 2026

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As you think about New Year’s resolutions, consider one that protects every part of your life in 2026: removing your personal data from the internet. Not your social media posts. Not your email subscriptions. Your personal data, the files companies quietly collect and sell without your consent.

Most people do not realize how much of their life already circulates inside massive databases run by data brokers. These companies exist for one purpose: to collect, package and sell personal information. They do it continuously, often without your knowledge or approval, to anyone willing to pay. As 2026 begins, this is the digital cleanup that matters most.

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10 SIMPLE CYBERSECURITY RESOLUTIONS FOR A SAFER 2026

Data brokers quietly collect and sell personal information, creating detailed profiles that fuel scams, identity theft and privacy risks heading into 2026. (Photo by Kira Hofmann/picture alliance via Getty Images)

What’s in your “digital file” and why it’s a problem in 2026

Data brokers work like factories. They pull information from the apps you use, websites you visit, loyalty cards you scan, public records and even location data from your phone. Then they combine it into a shockingly detailed picture of your life, including:

Your full name and past addresses
Your phone numbers and email accounts
Your shopping history
Predicted income, political leanings, age and marital status
Your internet browsing habits
Where you go daily, down to the GPS coordinates.

This data is packaged and sold to advertisers, insurers, political groups, background-check sites, and, most worryingly, scammers. And going into 2026, the threat landscape is completely different:

AI-powered scams rely on data brokers: Scammers don’t guess anymore-they buy. They use broker data to tailor scams, impersonate companies you interact with and even mimic family members.
Deepfake phone scams are exploding: When a scammer knows your relatives’ names, phone numbers, travel dates and habits, a deepfake call becomes dangerously believable.
Data breaches are more frequent than ever: Your info doesn’t get leaked once; it gets leaked again and again because brokers constantly resell it.
The more data you leave exposed, the easier identity theft becomes: One exposed address or phone number is annoying. Hundreds of exposed data points? That’s a permanent risk until you remove them.

If you want 2026 to be your safest year yet, the best thing you can do is reduce the amount of personal data available about you online, starting with data brokers.

Why data brokers make it so hard to delete your information

Technically, data brokers have to delete your data if you request it. But here’s the part they don’t advertise: They want you to give up. Some brokers hide their opt-out pages behind dozens of clicks. Others require you to fax forms, upload IDs, or repeat the request every 30-90 days because they reactivate your profile without warning. Now multiply that by 180-500+ data brokers, depending on your location. This is why most people never delete their information: it’s just too time-consuming.

The simplest fix: automate the removals

This is where a data removal service helps. These services automatically request the removal of your personal information from hundreds of data brokers on your behalf. That includes people-search websites, marketing databases, background-check services and similar data marketplaces. Instead of tracking down each site yourself, automation handles the process for you. Here’s what it does:

Identifies which brokers are storing your data
Sends legal removal requests for you
Follows up continually until your data is deleted
Stops brokers from relisting you
Keeps monitoring throughout 2026.

For most people, that means removing your data from hundreds of databases in just a few minutes of setup. If you want a clean digital slate for 2026, this is the closest thing to hitting “erase.”

Why the New Year is the best time to act

You can remove your data at any time. However, early January is one of the most effective moments to do it. Here’s why.

700CREDIT DATA BREACH EXPOSES SSNS OF 5.8M CONSUMERS

Cybersecurity experts warn that personal data circulating online makes consumers more vulnerable to AI-powered scams and deepfake fraud. (Photo by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

1) Your data footprint is the largest after the holidays

The holiday season creates a surge in data sharing. Retailers, loyalty programs, airlines, travel sites and apps collect huge amounts of personal information in November and December. Shoppers often share email addresses, phone numbers and location data to unlock discounts and faster checkout.

Holiday spending continues to rise year over year. More spending means more data. As a result, your personal information spreads across more databases than at any other time of the year.

2) Data brokers refresh profiles at the start of the year

After the holiday rush, data brokers update and expand their profiles using newly collected information. January is when many of these companies organize, repackage and resell their datasets.

Starting the removal process early helps limit how widely your information gets shared. Since removals can take days or even weeks, acting now reduces exposure before that data circulates further.

3) Scams increase during tax season

From January through April, scammers ramp up activity tied to tax season. Common threats include IRS impersonation scams, fake refund messages and W-2 fraud. Many of these attacks rely on data pulled from broker databases.

When scammers have accurate personal details, their messages feel more convincing. Reducing your data exposure now lowers the risk. Removing your information from major data broker sites is a strong first step. It also helps to check smaller, lesser-known sites that may still list your details.

PORNHUB HIT BY MASSIVE USER DATA LEAK EXPOSING 200 MILLION RECORDS

Removing personal data from data broker sites can reduce exposure to scammers and help protect finances and privacy in the new year. (Photo by Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

How to start 2026 with a clean data slate (3 steps)

Using a reputable data removal service can simplify the entire process. These services automate requests to remove your personal information from data brokers, including many sites that are difficult to handle on your own.

Step 1) Run a quick exposure check

Start by searching for your name on Google. Look for results that show your address, date of birth, phone number, or email address. Sites that display this information often belong to data brokers or businesses that sell personal data for profit.

Make a short list of the pages where your information appears.

Step 2) Automate the removals

Instead of spending weeks contacting each site manually, a data removal service can handle the work for you. You submit the links you found and the service requests removals on your behalf across hundreds of databases.

This approach is especially helpful if:

You have moved recently
You shop online often
You receive frequent spam or scam messages
You want stronger privacy protections in 2026

Many people see multiple removals within the first few weeks.

Step 3) Keep it clean all year

Data brokers do not stop collecting information. Even after removals, your data can reappear months later. Ongoing monitoring helps catch new listings and remove them before they spread further.

That long-term protection is what keeps your data footprint smaller throughout the year.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

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Kurt’s key takeaways

If you want 2026 to be the year you take control of your digital life, start with the one thing that influences your security, your inbox, your finances and your peace of mind: Clearing your personal data from data broker sites. You can spend months trying to do it manually, or sign up once and let a data removal service handle all the hard work. A safer, quieter, more private 2026 is just minutes away.

How much of your personal information do you think is already being bought and sold without your knowledge? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Country queen Dolly Parton reveals favorite Nashville spots amid Tennessee travel project launch

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January 1, 2026

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The queen of country music is bringing her brand of Southern hospitality to Tennessee highways — making the trip to Nashville feel as memorable and fun as the destination itself.

Dolly Parton recently announced the roll-out of Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops. The rest-stop areas will feature new and reimagined entertainment elements.

“I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus,” said Parton in a release.

Parton has partnered with the Tennessean Travel Stop brand to relaunch their flagship stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, with additional locations to be announced in 2026.

DOLLY PARTON REIMAGINES TRAVEL FOR TRUCKERS, FAMILIES AND ROADTRIPPERS IN HOT NEW VENTURE

Parton recently discussed her favorite place in Music City in an interview with Airmail.

In a nod to her own musical talents and career, she mentioned the Grand Ole Opry.

Country star Dolly Parton has shared her favorite Nashville spots, including the Grand Ole Opry, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and the pedestrian bridge. (Dolly Parton/X)

George D. Hay is credited with founding the musical treasure, having started radio station WSM — which went live for the first time in Oct. 1925. The program, originally called “WSM’s Barn Dance,” also launched at that time.

The prominent announcer and program director launched the show with Uncle Jimmy Thompson, a 77-year-old fiddle player.

The name of the now-iconic brand — which includes a program, a live performance and a location — came from Hay in a burst of inspiration.

DOLLY PARTON’S HOLIDAY WONDERLAND ILLUMINATES THE TENNESSEE MOUNTAINS WITH 6 MILLION CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

The Opry grew so popular that the broadcast was moved to the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville in 1943.

The Opry then built its own theater and country-music campus, Opryland, in 1974, about 10 miles east of the city center.

Parton told Airmail she was on stage at the Ryman Auditorium in 1969 when she was inducted into the Opry.

The Opry now has a seating capacity of nearly 4,400, with over 30 sections. Dolly Parton is shown performing above. (Tony R. Phipps/Getty Images)

“Since then, I’ve performed many times at the Ryman, whether it be for television specials or for my own concerts,” said Parton.

Home to country legends and rising stars, the Opry today has a seating capacity of nearly 4,400, with over 30 sections.

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“When I celebrated my 50th year as a member of the Opry in 2019, we filmed the television special on that magical stage,” Parton said.

The Opry is the longest-running radio broadcast on the planet, according to Guinness World Records.

Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Lower Broadway is a renowned entertainment district for country music. Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee. Nashville is known as the country-music capital of the world. The city is also known for its culture and commerce and great bar scene.

Parton has partnered with the Tennessean Travel Stop brand to relaunch their flagship stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, with additional locations to be announced next year. (iStock)

Nearby Ryman is Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, a legendary honky-tonk bar in downtown Nashville.

The lounge has been a launching pad and clubhouse for numerous country artists.

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“When I moved to Nashville, it was known that if you couldn’t find someone backstage, there was a good chance they were at the bar at Tootsie’s,” said Parton.

“Years back, many of the great Opry performers and I filmed a segment there for my variety series, ‘Dolly.’”

Parton mentioned Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, a legendary honky-tonk bar in downtown Nashville. (Getty Images)

For Nashville visitors who want to get their steps in, Parton also mentioned the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.

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“When they added the beautiful pedestrian bridge years back, it connected East Nashville to Downtown,” said Parton.

“I filmed the music video for my single ‘Together You & I’ on this bridge in 2011.”

For Nashville visitors who want to get their steps in, Parton also mentioned the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge as a favorite spot of hers. (Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty Images)

The truss bridge stretches 0.59 miles.

It spans the Cumberland River, showing off the beautiful Nashville skyline, according to Greenways for Nashville.

Fox News Digital reached out to Dolly Parton’s team for additional comment.

Ashley J. DiMella is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

State Department renews Russia ‘do not travel’ advisory warning for Americans

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December 31, 2025

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The State Department has renewed its “do not travel” advisory for Russia.

The existing travel advisory was reissued this week without edits, with the State Department citing a myriad of high risks related to terrorism, wrongful detention and “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”

The advisory comes as the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate.

US OFFICIALS WARN SNOWBIRDS OF ‘VIOLENT CRIME’ IN WINTER DESTINATION HOT SPOT

Officials have limited ability to help Americans after the embassy in Moscow reduced its staff and consulates in Russia have suspended operations, the advisory notes.

“U.S. citizens in Russia should leave immediately,” it states. “Russian officials often question and threaten U.S. citizens without reason.”

The State Department has renewed its “do not travel” warning for Russia, citing terrorism risks and wrongful detention threats as the war with Ukraine continues to escalate. (Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The advisory says there is precedent for Russian security services arresting Americans on false charges.

“They have denied them [Americans] fair treatment and convicted them without credible evidence.”

Travelers were also told to reconsider bringing electronic devices into the country. It should be assumed that all electronic communications and devices are monitored.

Due to sanctions, American debit and credit cards no longer work in Russia and “sending electronic money transfers from the United States to Russia is nearly impossible,” it says.

Saint Basil's Cathedral in Red Square - Moscow

The alert says tourists who decide to go to Russia should “be ready for the possibility of detention for an unknown amount of time.” (AP)

The alert says tourists who decide to go to Russia should “be ready for the possibility of detention for an unknown amount of time.”

“Log out of all social media accounts and do not access your social media accounts while in Russia,” the advisory also instructs. “Prepare a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries or power of attorney.”

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President Putin recently claimed that Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack early Monday against a presidential residence in the Novgorod region, involving 91 long-range drones that were intercepted by Russian air defenses.

Russia’s defense ministry shared footage showing a masked soldier standing next to drone wreckage, saying the wreckage was recovered from the attack.

Putin during meeting with bank leader in Moscow

President Putin recently claimed that Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack against his residence. (Mikhail Metzel/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

The ministry claimed the drone carried a high-explosive warhead “filled with a large number of striking elements” intended to hit civilian targets.

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Russia’s border areas with Ukraine have been under martial law since October 2022, according to the advisory.

Under martial law, authorities can set curfews, seize property, restrict movement, detain foreigners, forcibly relocate residents and limit public gatherings.

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“Russian authorities have questioned, detained and arrested people for ‘acting against Russia’s interests,’” the advisory states.

The U.S. government has issued other travel advisories in recent weeks. As tensions increase between Thailand and Cambodia, for example, the government warned Americans about traveling to the border area of the two countries.

The U.S. government has issued other travel advisories in recent weeks. (Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The U.S. Embassy in Thailand issued a security alert to American tourists Dec. 16, warning of an “escalation of armed conflict” at the popular Asian destination.

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“U.S. citizens should avoid all travel within 50 kilometers [about 31 miles] of the Thailand-Cambodia border, due to active hostilities and the unpredictable security situation,” the alert said.

Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed reporting.

Ashley J. DiMella is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

Google Maps and Apple Maps save parking spots automatically on your phone

By

Reporters News Wire

-

December 31, 2025

0

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Forgetting where you parked happens to everyone. Busy schedules, crowded lots and mental autopilot make it easy to walk away without a second thought. Thankfully, your iPhone can remember for you. Both Google Maps and Apple Maps now make it easy to find your car again with little or no effort. Google recently added smarter automatic parking detection on iPhone. Apple Maps has offered a similar feature for years. Together, they give you a reliable backup when your memory fails. Below is how each one works and how to make sure it is ready when you need it.

If you use an Android phone, we have steps below that show you how to save and find your parked car using Google Maps on Android.

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GOOGLE MAPS VS WAZE VS APPLE MAPS: WHICH IS BEST?

Google Maps can automatically save where you parked on an iPhone and drop a clear pin on the map. Once it appears, you can tap it anytime to get walking directions back to your car. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How Google Maps saves your parking spot on iPhone

Google Maps can automatically detect when you park and drop a pin that stays for up to 48 hours or until you drive again. It currently works on iPhone only.

Connect your iPhone to your car

Google Maps needs a signal that you stopped driving.

Connect your iPhone to your car using Bluetooth: On your iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth and pair it with your vehicle before you drive.
Connect your iPhone using USB: Plug your iPhone into the car’s USB port with a cable before you start your journey.
Use CarPlay with your iPhone: Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap General, tap CarPlay, then select your car to link your iPhone to the vehicle.

Any of these connections can trigger parking detection.

Allow Google Maps to save parking automatically

If you want this to work every time, adjust one key setting.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone
Tap Apps
Then, click Google Maps
Tap Location
Select Always

This allows Google Maps to track parking even when the app is not open.

Turn on motion-based parking detection

This helps Google Maps save your parking spot even when Bluetooth or CarPlay is not in use.

Open Google Maps on your iPhone
Tap your profile photo in the upper right corner
Tap Settings
Then click Navigation
Turn on Automatically save parking
To make sure motion detection works:
Open the iPhone Settings app
Tap Privacy and Security
Tap Motion & Fitness
Make sure Fitness Tracking is on
Make sure Google Maps is enabled

This allows Google Maps to use movement data to detect when you stop driving.

Find your parked car

Once you park, Google Maps drops a pin labeled You parked here.
Open Google Maps to see the pin
Tap the search bar
Choose Saved parking

The pin stays visible for up to 48 hours.

Adjust the location if needed

If the pin is slightly off:

Tap the parked location
Select Change location
Drag the marker to the correct spot

FIND A LOST PHONE THAT IS OFF OR DEAD

After parking, Google Maps shows your saved location along with a quick Directions button. This makes it easy to return to your car without retracing your steps. (OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

How Apple Maps saves your parking spot

Apple Maps uses your iPhone location and car connection to remember where you parked. In many cases, it works automatically without setup.

Make sure Location Services is enabled

Apple Maps relies on system settings.

Open Settings
Tap Privacy and Security
Tap Location Services
Make sure Location Services is on
Tap Maps
Select While Using the App

Use Bluetooth or CarPlay

Apple Maps detects parking when your iPhone disconnects from:

Your car’s Bluetooth system
Wired or wireless CarPlay

This disconnection signals that you parked.

Find your parked car in Apple Maps

After parking:

Open Apple Maps on your iPhone
Look for Parked Car under the Search box or a parked car icon on the map
Tap the parked car entry or icon
Tap Directions to navigate back to your vehicle

Apple Maps drops a parked car marker when your iPhone disconnects from Bluetooth or CarPlay as you exit your car. You can also see parking details, like how long ago you parked, if you enabled the proper settings in iPhone Settings.

Google Maps vs Apple Maps for parking reminders

Both apps work well, but they shine in different ways.

Google Maps: Parking pins last up to 48 hours and are easy to edit
Apple Maps: Deep iOS integration and simple automatic detection

Many iPhone owners keep both enabled for backup.

Apple Maps can also remember where you parked when your iPhone disconnects from Bluetooth or CarPlay. Open the app and look for your parked car to get directions back. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to find your parked car on Android phones

If you use an Android phone, you can still save and find your parked car using Google Maps, but the process is manual.

Save your parking location on Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Open Google Maps on your Android phone
Tap the blue dot showing your current location
Tap Save your parking
Add notes or photos if you want help remembering landmarks

Google Maps drops a parking pin that stays visible until you remove it or save a new one.

Find your parked car later on Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Open Google Maps
Tap the saved parking pin on the map
Tap Directions to navigate back to your car

Unlike the iPhone, Android does not currently support automatic parking detection in Google Maps.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Forgetting where you parked happens fast, but finding your car does not have to be stressful. Google Maps and Apple Maps can save your parking location and guide you back when you need it most. On the iPhone, much of this works automatically once settings are enabled. Android users can still save their spot manually with Google Maps. Either way, taking a few minutes to set this up now can save time, steps and frustration later.

How much time have you already wasted searching for your car that your phone could have saved? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Costco Travel vacation packages offer significant savings for budget-minded members

By

Reporters News Wire

-

December 31, 2025

0

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Costco may be best known for its bulk groceries and its $1.50 hot-dog combo — but the warehouse retailer also sells vacation experiences through Costco Travel.

The service allows members to book cruises, vacation packages and rental cars through a curated selection of partners, according to Costco Travel’s website. Standalone airfare is not sold, and hotel stays are typically bundled with flights or rental cars rather than booked separately.

As travelers look for more and more ways to stretch their vacation budgets, some have turned to Costco Travel as an alternative to traditional online booking sites.

WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP DEBUTS AS INDUSTRY EXPECTS 19 MILLION TRAVELERS

Cruises are among Costco Travel’s most prominent offerings.

The retailer partners with major cruise lines and often includes such added incentives as onboard credits or Costco Shop Cards, according to the company’s website.

In addition to Costco’s core retail business, Costco Travel offers members cruises, vacation packages and rental cars through select partners. (Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Those extras can play a significant role in the overall value of a booking.

Bobby Laurie, a travel expert based in the Washington D.C. area, told Fox News Digital that Costco Travel is able to offer those perks by using commission revenue to provide added perks for travelers.

LITTLE-KNOWN ‘SECONDHAND TRAVEL’ TRICK HELPS TOURISTS SCORE LUXURY VACATIONS FOR LESS

“They use a portion of the commission they would normally earn and turn it back into benefits or incentives for the person booking the trip,” Laurie said.

That approach appears to resonate with many travelers.

Posts on online forums such as Reddit suggest many travelers have had positive experiences with Costco Travel, particularly when it comes to customer service and rental car pricing.

Costco Wholesale in-store service displays featuring solar, travel, water softening, and home improvement promotions.

Costco Travel reinvests part of its booking commissions into customer perks and added value, a travel expert said. (Getty Images)

Users frequently describe situations in which Costco Travel agents rebooked accommodations, found lower rates after schedule changes or helped resolve issues while travelers were already on the road.

One Reddit user wrote that a two-week rental car booked through Costco Travel was “hundreds [of dollars] cheaper than renting through the popular car rental websites.”

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Another Reddit user said a Costco Travel agent found a lower hotel rate after an airline changed a return flight, allowing the travelers to add an extra night to their stay while receiving an $800 refund.

Still another person wrote that the Costco vacation service is “hard to beat.”

Said yet another person, “Costco has a lot of buying power at the properties it selects.”

Woman pulling a suitcase along a wooden deck at a tropical resort with palm trees and a pool.

Costco Travel users frequently praise agents for rebooking trips and finding lower rates, though the service may not be ideal for everyone. (iStock)

And a different person wrote, “I enjoyed the convenience of having all the bookings (hotel, transportation, etc.) done in one place.”

Even so, Costco Travel may not be the right fit for every person on the move.

Costco Travel requires a Costco membership to book.

The service offers a more limited selection of hotels, resorts and airlines compared to major online travel agencies.

Travelers looking to customize every aspect of a trip or book boutique accommodations may find fewer options.

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Costco Travel also requires a Costco membership to book, which may not make sense for travelers who do not already shop at the warehouse retailer.

As with most travel deals, the decision on whether a Costco vacation is worth it depends on the traveler’s preferences.

As with most travel deals, the decision about whether a vacation through Costco’s services is worth it depends on the traveler’s preferences. (iStock)

For some, the bundled incentives and competitive pricing can deliver meaningful savings.

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For others, limited options and less flexibility may be reason enough to book elsewhere.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Costco for comment.

Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.

What’s in your “digital file” and why it’s a problem in 2026

Why data brokers make it so hard to delete your information

The simplest fix: automate the removals

Why the New Year is the best time to act

1) Your data footprint is the largest after the holidays

2) Data brokers refresh profiles at the start of the year

3) Scams increase during tax season

How to start 2026 with a clean data slate (3 steps)

Step 1) Run a quick exposure check

Step 2) Automate the removals

Step 3) Keep it clean all year

Kurt’s key takeaways

How Google Maps saves your parking spot on iPhone

Connect your iPhone to your car

Allow Google Maps to save parking automatically

Turn on motion-based parking detection

Find your parked car

Adjust the location if needed

How Apple Maps saves your parking spot

Make sure Location Services is enabled

Use Bluetooth or CarPlay

Find your parked car in Apple Maps

Google Maps vs Apple Maps for parking reminders

How to find your parked car on Android phones

Save your parking location on Android

Find your parked car later on Android

Kurt’s key takeaways

Editor Picks

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