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Freedom Caucus lawmaker Ralph Norman vows to ‘shake things up’ in South Carolina governor bid

A lawmaker in the conservative House Freedom Caucus is launching his campaign to be governor of South Carolina.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who came to Congress in 2017, kicked off his Palmetto State bid with a Rock Hill campaign rally on Sunday.

‘I am running for governor to shake things up, clean up Columbia, and finally take down the corrupt political establishment once and for all,’ Norman is telling voters, according to prepared remarks obtained by Fox News Digital. ‘I owe nothing to the lobbyists. I owe nothing to the Columbia bureaucratic elite. My allegiance is to you, the people of South Carolina.’

As part of his campaign platform, Norman is promising to establish a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) ‘commission’ in the state ‘that roots out waste, fraud, and abuse.’

Norman is also running on the promise of fixing South Carolina’s infrastructure, implementing term limits for state lawmakers, tort reform, and pledging to ‘let the people vote on judges.’

Currently, a majority of state judgeships in South Carolina are decided by the General Assembly. Some positions, including magistrate judges, are appointed by the governor.

Norman is also promising ‘to use the bully pulpit to bring my case directly to the people’ and to ‘use the veto pen.’

His campaign speech also touches on socially conservative goals like advocating for school choice, and restricting school bathrooms by gender at birth.

‘And if that all doesn’t work, I’m telling you now that any so-called ‘Republican’ RINO legislator that doesn’t stand for reforms the people are calling for doesn’t deserve to be in office and we’ll beat them in Republican primaries if that’s what it takes,’ Norman’s speech says.

Norman is joining a crowded Republican primary field with his Sunday announcement. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell are also in the race.

Meanwhile, Norman’s House colleague, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is also said to be considering a campaign for governor.

And in a state that President Donald Trump won by nearly 20 points in 2024, the commander-in-chief’s endorsement – both in the primary and general election – will likely be critical.

Norman pointed out in his speech that both he and Trump have a background in real estate; both men led development companies that were founded by their fathers.

‘We need business leaders – people who have signed both the front and the back of a paycheck. Folks who have built something, taken risks, made money, and yes, lost money too,’ Norman said. ‘Thankfully, we have a great businessman – and fellow developer – back in the White House! Just look what a difference President Trump has made in six months.’

He also cast himself as a disruptor who helped move ‘the needle by making our budget more conservative,’ in reference to the House Freedom Caucus’s push to move Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ to the right.

And while the group was successful in doing that in the House, the Senate watered down several of those wins during its time considering the bill. The Senate version ultimately passed the House, with Norman and other Freedom Caucus members voting in support.

‘Some say I have earned a reputation of being uncompromising, always trying to make a bill more conservative,’ Norman’s speech says. ‘Well folks, I’ll take that as a compliment and I am proud of it.’

As a member of Congress, Norman sits on the House Committee on Financial Services, House Budget Committee, and House Rules Committee.

A longtime ally of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Norman was the only House Republican to formally endorse her before Haley dropped out of the race, after which Norman backed Trump.

He told Fox News Digital of his endorsement in January 2024, ‘When I supported Nikki Haley, I had the respect of Donald Trump to call him, and I told him what I was gonna do, and I decided I was going to do it.’

It’s worth noting, however, that Norman had been a vocal supporter of Trump since Haley’s exit – and unlike other House Freedom Caucus allies, he did not incur Trump’s wrath for his loyalty to Haley.

He was most recently at the White House earlier this week with other House Republicans for a reception celebrating their legislative successes.

The South Carolina gubernatorial general election will take place in November 2026.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Trump announces trade deal with European Union

President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a trade deal between the U.S. and European Union on Sunday.

The announcement came moments after the two had addressed the media, agreeing that the likelihood of an agreement was about 50-50. Von der Leyen said the negotiations had taken some ‘heavy lifting,’ but the two leaders agreed they were happy with the result.

‘We are agreeing that the tariff straight across for automobiles and everything else will be a straight-across tariff of 15%,’ Trump said.

‘So we have a tariff of 15%. We have the opening up of all of the European countries, which I think I could say were essentially closed. I mean, you weren’t exactly taking our orders. You weren’t exactly taking our agriculture,’ he added, addressing von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen said Europe will also purchase $150 billion worth of U.S. energy as part of the deal, in addition to making $600 billion in other investments into the U.S.

Trump and von der Leyen had sounded unsure of whether a deal would be reached even as they spoke to the press in Scotland on Sunday.

‘We look forward to talking to see if we can do something,’ Trump had said of the negotiations. ‘We’ve had, a very good relationship over the years, but it’s been a very one-sided transaction, very unfair to the United States.’

Responding to a reporter’s question, von der Leyen agreed with Trump that there must be a ‘rebalancing’ of the bilateral trade, which is worth billions of dollars.

‘It is about rebalancing,’ von der Leyen said as she sat next to Trump. ‘You can call it fairness, you can call it rebalancing. We have a surplus and the United States has a deficit, and we have to rebalance it.’

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Trump hits EU for lack of Gaza aid, says Israel needs to ‘make a decision’ with Hamas not releasing hostages

President Donald Trump blasted the European Union for not providing aid to Gaza on Sunday, adding that Israel must ‘make a decision’ about how to handle the region with Hamas still holding hostages.

Trump made the comments while meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland. He said that the U.S. has given millions in aid to Gazans, but claimed there has been no assistance from European countries.

‘We gave $60 million two weeks ago for food for Gaza, and nobody acknowledged it. Nobody talks about it. And it makes you feel a little bad when you do that. And, you know, you have other countries not giving anything. None of the European countries, by the way, gave – I mean, nobody gave but us and nobody said, gee, thank you very much. And it would be nice to have at least a thank you.’

Trump went on to note that a deal needs to be made between Israel and Hamas to end the war and return the last remaining hostages to Israel, despite many of them being dead.

‘But we have a lot of bodies, and the parents want those bodies as much as they would want their child if that child were alive,’ Trump said of the hostages and their families.

He suggested that Hamas is reluctant to make a deal for the final hostages because they feel it would be ‘the end for them’ if they lose leverage against Israel.

‘You know, they had a routine discussion the other day and all of a sudden they hardened up. They don’t want to give them back. And so Israel is going to have to make a decision,’ Trump said.

The meeting comes as the IDF highlighted its efforts to deliver aid into Gaza after restricting the flow in recent months.

Israel is now conducting airdrops for aid throughout the region, and the IDF says it conducted 28 drops in a matter of hours on Sunday.

‘Let me be clear: Israel supports aid for civilians, not for Hamas. The IDF will continue to support the flow of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,’ an IDF spokesperson said, claiming Israel transferred roughly 250 trucks full of aid into Gaza this week.

The IDF argues the reports about starvation in Gaza were a false campaign promoted by Hamas, but hunger is spreading across the region after the United Nations and the IDF previously failed to reach an agreement about aid distribution, Fox News’ Trey Yingst reported. 

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Johnson says Ghislaine Maxwell deserves life sentence over Epstein crimes, rejects potential pardon

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Sunday that Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell deserves a life sentence, rejecting the idea of a potential pardon for the convicted sex trafficker.  

In an appearance on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ Johnson was asked if he supported a pardon for Maxwell, but the speaker emphasized that the decision ultimately belongs to President Donald Trump. 

‘I think 20 years was a pittance,’ Johnson said of Maxwell’s time behind bars. ‘I think she should have a life sentence, at least. I mean, think of all these unspeakable crimes.’ 

‘I mean it’s hard to put into words how evil this was and that she orchestrated it and was a big part of it, at least under the criminal sanction, I think is an unforgivable thing,’ Johnson added, acknowledging that federal prosecutors identified more than 1,000 victims, many of whom were underage. ‘So again, not my decision, but I have great pause about that as any reasonable person would.’ 

While leaving the White House on Friday en route for Scotland, Trump was asked if he considered a pardon or clemency for Maxwell. The president left the door open, responding: ‘I’m allowed to do it, but it’s something I have not thought about.’

Johnson said he supports the position of the president, the FBI and the Justice Department that ‘all credible evidence and information’ be released, but emphasized the need for safeguards to protect victims’ identities. As for Maxwell, she was questioned by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche at federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, for two consecutive days last week. Her lawyer told reporters she answered questions on about 100 potential Epstein associates as she angles for clemency. 

‘That’s a decision of the president,’ Johnson said of a potential Maxwell pardon. ‘He said he had not adequately considered that. I won’t get in front of him. That’s not my lane. My lane is to help direct and control the House of Representatives and to use every tool within our arsenal to get to the truth. I’m going to say this as clearly and plainly and repeatedly as I can over and over. We are for maximum disclosure. We want all transparency. I trust the American people. I and the House Republicans believe that they should have all this information to be able to determine what they will. But we have to protect the innocent. And that’s the only safeguard here that we’ve got to be diligent about, and I’m insistent upon doing so.’ 

Johnson criticized a petition for the release of all the Epstein files brought by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-W.Va., and Ro Khanna, D-Penn., as ‘reckless’ and poorly drafted, arguing that it ignored federal rules protecting grand jury materials and ‘would require the DOJ and FBI to release information that they know is false, that is based on lies and rumors and was not even credible enough to be entered into the court proceedings.’ 

The speaker said the petition also lacked safeguards for minor victims who were subjected to ‘unspeakable crimes, abject evil’ and who risk being ‘unmasked.’ Johnson said Massie and Khanna ‘cite that they don’t want child abuse, sex abuse information uncovered, but they cite the wrong provision of the federal code, and so it makes it unworkable.’ The speaker argued Republicans on the House Rules Committee are committed to a better drafted approach that will protect the innocent. 

Asked about a potential pardon for Maxwell, Massie told NBC’s Kristen Welker earlier in the program that it ‘would be up to the president, but if she has information that could help us, I think that she should testify.’ 

‘Let’s get that out there, and whatever they need to do to compel that testimony, as long as it’s truthful, I would be in favor of,’ Massie said. 

Khanna said he did not believe Maxwell’s sentence should be commuted and that he was concerned that Blanche was meeting with her. He said he agreed with Massie that Maxwell should testify but noted she has been indicted twice for perjury.

‘This is why we need the files. This is why we need independent evidence,’ Khanna said. 

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How long is Rams QB Matthew Stafford out?

The defending NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams invested resources this offseason to ensure they have one of the top offenses in the league. Los Angeles retained left tackle Alaric Jackson and signed three-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.

The Rams continued that investment in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting tight end Terrance Ferguson in Round 2 and running back Jarquez Hunter in Round 4.

Training camp began on July 23 for the defending division champions. They’re preparing for what could be a close battle in the NFC West once again.

There’s one key piece that’s not on the field, though: quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The 37-year-old is entering his fifth year with the Rams but has missed training camp so far with back soreness. Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said Stafford will not return to practice this week as previously hoped. McVay said they’re taking a week-to-week approach to his recovery.

“We’ve got a good plan in place,” McVay said. “We are going to still take some more time with him, though. Nothing that’s changed in terms of the setback. I probably spoke a little bit too soon, but the ultimate goal is [Week 1 game against] Houston and being mindful of that. So we’ll take it a week at a time with him.’

Stafford didn’t participate but was in attendance at training camp this weekend.

How long will Stafford be out?

There’s no clear timetable for Stafford’s return to the field at training camp as the Rams are taking this week-to-week approach. McVay reiterated that there’s no ‘reason for concern’ as to why Stafford won’t be practicing.

Los Angeles’ preseason games start Aug. 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, but it was unlikely Stafford would play in that matchup even if fully healthy.

McVay will likely provide more updates in the coming days and into next week about Stafford’s availability.

Stafford missed just one game in 2024, the regular season finale against Seattle, to rest ahead of the playoffs. In 16 games (all starts), Stafford completed 340 of 517 passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

The Rams went 10-7 during the regular season and advanced as far as the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, 28-22.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Commanders star WR reports to camp, placed on PUP list

Terry McLaurin reported to training camp with the Washington Commanders on Sunday, July 27.

The star receiver is seeking a contract extension to remain with Washington beyond 2025, but there has been little word on any progress towards a deal.

Despite the stalemate, McLaurin was reinstated to the active roster Sunday and was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with an ankle injury, the team announced.

McLaurin’s holdout lasted four days into training camp.

‘Terry McLaurin has reported and we’re very happy about that,’ head coach Dan Quinn said. ‘On the business side, (GM Adam Peters) and the guys are still working hard with Terry and his reps. While on PUP, it’s just like we do with other guys – work with the trainers to get back as soon as he can.’

McLaurin will turn 30 in September and is entering the final year of his three-year, $68.3 million deal, according to Spotrac.

On July 15, McLaurin was adamant he would not play without ‘progression’ toward a new deal.

‘I’ve been pretty frustrated, I’m not gonna lie,’ McLaurin told reporters of his contract situation. ‘Everything that has transpired up and to this point has been pretty frustrating and disappointing. I’ve wanted to continue my career here. I’ve created my life here. My wife and I bought our first home here. So this is somewhere where I’ve always wanted to be.’

McLaurin has watched several receivers cash in this offseason, most recently on July 14 when the New York Jets signed Garrett Wilson to a four-year, $130 million extension.

The Commanders are aiming to build on their best season in 33 years. They traded for wide receiver Deebo Samuel and five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil. McLaurin’s contract seems to be the final piece in a successful offseason so far.

McLaurin has been Washington’s top receiver since he was drafted in 2019. He has exceeded 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past five seasons and caught the second-most touchdown passes in the NFL in 2024 (13). He has displayed strong chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels and is a key cog of the offense that is looking to take the next step.

All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Best moments from 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony

The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomes five new members on Sunday, July 27, with Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker and Dick Allen set to be inducted in Cooperstown, New York.

Suzuki becomes the Hall of Fame’s first Japanese player – assembling a 19-year MLB career after nine decorated professional seasons in Japan – and was just one vote shy of a unanimous election.

Sabathia also got in on the first ballot after winning 261 games as one of the best starting pitchers of the new millennium. Wagner ranks eighth on the all-time saves list with 422, while Allen (1972) and Parker (1978) were MVP award winners.

An enormous crowd showed for the festivities with Suzuki a fan favorite on both sides of the Pacific and Cooperstown a four-hour drive from Yankee Stadium, where Sabathia pitched 11 seasons.

What time is the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony?

The 2025 Hall of Fame ceremony was scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET. But due to inclement weather expected between noon and 2 p.m., the start of the induction ceremony has been moved to 2:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch Baseball Hall of Fame induction

TV channel: MLB Network
Streaming: MLB.com, MLB.TV, BaseballHall.org and Fubo.

Where is the Baseball Hall of Fame located?

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Cooperstown, New York, about a four-hour drive north of New York City.

(This story has been updated with new information.)

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Little League World Series: Venezuelan team denied U.S. visas

A Venezuelan Little League team has been denied U.S. visas, with Little League International announcing that the team will not be able to participate in the 2025 Little League Senior Baseball World Series.

Cacique Mara, a team representing Maracaibo, earned its place by winning the Latin American region qualifying tournament in June. That event’s runner-up, Santa María de Aguayo from Tamaulipas, Mexico, will replace the Venezuelan team at the Little League Senior Baseball World Series, which began on Saturday, July 26.

“The Cacique Mara Little League team from Venezuela was unfortunately unable to obtain the appropriate visas to travel to the Senior League Baseball World Series,” Little League International said in a statement, calling the development “extremely disappointing, especially to these young athletes.”

“It is a mockery on the part of Little League to keep us here in Bogotá with the hope that our children can fulfill their dreams of participating in a world championship,” the team said in a statement to the Associated Press. “What do we do with so much injustice, what do we do with the pain that was caused to our children?”

The Little League Senior Baseball World Series is a different event than the Little League World Series that takes place in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with the Senior version involving players aged 13-16 and play taking place on a larger field. The Senior Baseball World Series is being held in Easley, South Carolina, from July 26 to Aug. 2. The more well-known Little League World Series, which is for players aged 10-12, is set for Aug. 13-24.

President Donald Trump’s administration on June 4 listed Venezuela and six other nations as being subject to partial travel restrictions, while 12 more nations were given full-scale travel bans.

While Cacique Mara was denied the necessary visas by the U.S. Department of State, teams from Australia, Canada and the Czech Republic will still participate, along with Santa María de Aguayo. The final participants in the International bracket hail from Puerto Rico, which is a territory of the United States.

The Venezuelan team is the latest example of the sports world colliding with the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration and foreign visitors. In June, the Senegalese women’s basketball team abandoned plans to hold a training camp in the U.S. after a significant portion of their roster and staff were denied visas. The Cuban women’s volleyball team suffered a similar fate weeks ago after being denied visas to participate in the NORCECA Women’s Final Four tournament in Puerto Rico. Earlier this month, Brazilian table tennis player Hugo Calderano was unable to participate in a tournament in Las Vegas, reportedly due to a 2023 visit to Cuba for an Olympic qualifying tournament.

Athletes, team staff members and relatives were supposedly exempted from the travel ban, with the Haitian national soccer team able to participate in the recently concluded Concacaf Gold Cup. The soccer world has been particularly concerned about travel difficulties, with the Gold Cup and Club World Cup taking place simultaneously this summer. Trump was a visible figure at the Club World Cup final, and one version of that tournament’s trophy remains at the White House.

The United States is set to host the 2026 men’s World Cup next year, and there are unanswered questions about whether every qualified team will be able to participate. Iran, one of the nations subject to an outright travel ban from the Trump administration, sealed its qualification in March. Of the other nations subject to full bans or significant restrictions, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo and Venezuela are all currently still alive in World Cup qualifying.

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Rams QB will miss more time with back soreness

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will be sidelined for another week of training camp.

Head coach Sean McVay announced on Saturday, July 26, that Stafford will be considered ‘week-to-week’ as he manages back soreness. McVay previously said Stafford would be ready to practice on Monday, but the team ultimately decided to be cautious and take a ‘modified approach’ with Stafford as he enters his 17th season.

‘We are going to take some more time with him,’ McVay told reporters on Saturday, five days after players reported to training camp on Tuesday. ‘Nothing’s changed in terms of the setback. … But the ultimate goal is (Week 1 vs.) Houston (on Sept. 7) and being mindful of that.’

McVay added, ‘We will take it a week at a time with him. … I feel like that’s the smart thing to do.’

Stafford, 37, led the Rams to a 10-6 record last season, completing 340 of 517 passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. 

‘We were going to take a modified approach with him, kind of similar to what we did in the offseason program, so we’ll allow him to just work kind of off to the side on his own, get himself feeling as good as possible. … He feels good about that, I feel good about that, and ultimately it’s about having him feel as good as possible mentally, physically, emotionally, going into Year 17.’

Who is taking Rams’ first-team reps?

Jimmy Garoppolo is the lead backup for the Rams and likely to take a majority of the snaps while Stafford is out.

Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn are also with the Rams as backup quarterbacks.

Bennett was drafted with the 128th overall pick (fourth round) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has not taken a snap during the regular season.

The team signed Winn on July 21.

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NASCAR Brickyard 400 live updates: Lineup, weather, how to watch race

NASCAR hits Indianapolis Motor Speedway as Cup Series drivers take on the legendary 2.5-mile oval in the Brickyard 400.

Only three active Cup Series drivers have won the Brickyard 400, with Kyle Busch winning back-to-back in 2015 and 2016, Brad Keselowski taking the checkered flag in 2018, and Kyle Larson kissing the bricks last year.

Busch will be among the winless drivers hoping to use his experience in the Brickyard to capture his first victory of the 2025 season. Another driver who has high hopes for a great day in Indianapolis is Bubba Wallace, who has two top-five and three top-10 finishes in four Cup races on the IMS oval and would be the 16th and final driver to make the playoffs if the regular season ended today.

With just five races remaining before the 10-race playoffs begin, can a winless driver catapult himself into the Top 16? USA TODAY Sports will have full coverage of Sunday’s Brickyard 400. Follow along for the latest updates.

NASCAR at Indianapolis: Brickyard 400 start time, TV, streaming

Date: Sunday, July 27
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Start time: 2 p.m. ET
TV: TNT with an altcast on truTV
Live stream: WatchTNT, Max and Sling TV

Stream the Brickyard 400 on Sling

Who is on the pole for the NASCAR Brickyard 400?

Weather report for NASCAR Brickyard 400

It’s a cloudy but warm day in Speedway, Indiana for today’s Cup Series race. Accuweather forecasts predict temperatures will stay in the mid- to high-80s with humidity around 70%. There’s at least a 30% chance of rain for much of the afternoon with the highest chances clearing out before green flag racing.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

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