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Chick-fil-A CEO's Response on LGBTQ Issues Sparks Debate

Chick-fil-A CEO's Response on LGBTQ Issues Sparks Debate

See more of our coverage in your search results. NBC’s “Today” co-anchor Craig Melvin pressed Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy Wednesday about the fast-food chain’s position on LGBTQ rights, repeatedly questioning the company’s Christian beliefs and past opposition to same-sex marriage during a segment highlighting its history and business success.When Melvin asked for Chick-fil-A’s official position on equal rights, Cathy emphasized the company’s commitment to serving customers rather than directly addressing its position on LGBTQ issues.“We’re focused on hospitality, serving great-tasting food and great service,” Cathy said.The exchange came after Melvin revisited the company’s 2012 controversy, when Cathy’s father, former CEO Dan Cathy, publicly supported traditional marriage, triggering protests and boycotts.The company faced criticism over charitable donations to Christian organizations accused of opposing LGBTQ rights.NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck criticized NBC’s handling of the interview in comments to Fox News Digital, accusing the network of deliberately emphasizing the controversy.Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy told NBC’s “Today” that the chain is focused on “hospitality” when asked about its stance on LGBTQ rights. NBC News“While it was only just over 90 seconds of a roughly six-minute block, its mention and prominence after its airing on the ‘Today’ social media platforms was proof this was wholly intended to be an ambush,” Houck said.“Never mind the company’s remarkably courteous staff who serve everyone no matter whom they love. That alone is never enough. NBC should be ashamed of itself.“It’s incredibly disappointing that Melvin dwelt on it for that much of the package, as he, like the Cathy family, is a fellow believer in Christ. Just before the haggling, he praised Chick-fil-A for how much their faith has guided them, from their humble beginnings to its status as the third-largest fast-food chain in America.”Demonstrators protest outside a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hollywood, California, in 2012. Getty ImagesMelvin asked Cathy how he would respond to people who previously protested Chick-fil-A over accusations that the company did not support the LGBTQ community.Cathy responded by emphasizing that customers were welcome at the restaurant chain regardless of their backgrounds.“Everybody that’s willing to walk in the door, they’re welcome to come eat with us. We would love to give them a great-tasting sandwich and great hospitality,” Cathy said.Melvin subsequently pressed Cathy about whether he wanted to discuss that chapter of the company’s history before asking directly about its position on equal rights.The company has faced criticism over past donations to Christian organizations accused of opposing LGBTQ rights. USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectThe exchange also drew criticism from former “Today” anchor Katie Couric, who commented on the show’s Instagram post about the interview.“A non answer answer,” she said. “This is what his father Dan Cathy said in 2012. ‘We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition.’ A good follow-up would have been: ‘Do you agree with your father?'”Chick-fil-A’s religious foundation has remained central to its corporate identity despite past controversies. During Wednesday’s interview, Cathy reaffirmed the company’s longstanding practice of closing on Sundays and described its Christian mission as an anchor.In 2019, Fox News Digital reported that Chick-fil-A would stop donating to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Salvation Army after criticism of the organizations’ positions on LGBTQ issues.The company redirected its charitable giving toward education, homelessness and hunger initiatives.Chick-fil-A’s current corporate policies prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The company’s official corporate purpose continues to emphasize glorifying God and positively influencing those who interact with the business.

Oct 15, 2026
Alex Call's Plea: 'Half-Naked Women' Ads Ruining Baseball for Kids

Alex Call's Plea: 'Half-Naked Women' Ads Ruining Baseball for Kids

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Call argued that scandalous commercials are getting in the way of passing down his love of baseball to his son.  “Can we please get the soft porn ads off playoff broadcasts, TBS, Fox, NBC, @MLB?” Call, 32, posted via X on Wednesday, October 14. “My son wants to watch baseball with Dada, but how do I justify that when a half-naked women could come on screen anytime?? This is America’s Pastime. Parents shouldn’t have to worry about this.” Alex and his wife, Samantha, share a son born in 2023 whose name has been kept private and daughter Reverie, 9 months.  The Dodgers player was responding to a social media post that wondered if Major League Baseball is interested in getting “more kids” watching the sport. “Maybe start with the commercials,” Utah-based entrepreneur Taylor Murphy wrote. “Watching the playoffs tonight with my kids and here's the rundown: Megan Fox selling ED pills in a red bodysuit. The scariest movie trailer you've ever seen. Sydney Sweeney in zero clothes promoting betting on sports.” He continued, “Leagues can't figure out why kids don't watch. You don't need a Nickelodeon game. You're not the Savannah Bananas. Just show baseball in a way I can leave on in my house.” Murphy’s post has gone viral since being posted Monday, October 12, earning over 31,000 likes.  Sweeney’s ad campaign for sports trading app NOVIG has been particularly controversial. The commercials, which have aired throughout the 2026 MLB Playoffs, feature the actress, 29, in various states of undress with sports equipment covering her naked body.  Sharon Stone, who costarred with Sweeney on HBO’s Euphoria, urged the young star to “take responsibility for her actions.” “It is up to me to be a cheerleader for the women who have made it through and become champions in women’s sports,” Stone, 68, told People last month. Call played in 88 games as a reserve outfielder for the Dodgers during the 2026 season. He has yet to see any postseason action.  The athlete shared photos of his family of four to celebrate Mother’s Day in May.  “You are the heart of our family,” Call wrote via Instagram. “When I’m gone for a week at a time, you’re home grinding it out, taking care of our kids with a kind of love and sweetness that bring me joy every time I think about it. Our family doesn’t work without you, and I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re my best friend. You make me happier than I ever knew was possible. There’s no one I’d rather do life with, raise these kids with, or come home to.” The Dodgers will attempt to avoid being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series in Los Angeles on Thursday, October 15.

Oct 15, 2026
Maks Chmerkovskiy Defends Jenna Johnson Against Carrie Ann Inaba's Criticism

Maks Chmerkovskiy Defends Jenna Johnson Against Carrie Ann Inaba's Criticism

Maks Chmerkovskiy doesn’t understand Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s criticism of his sister-in-law, Jenna Johnson, amid their tension-filled lift back-and-forth. “She goes and starts reading off the rulebook, but then that same rulebook that’s applicable in ballroom with lifts is only applicable to a couple dancing,” Chmerkovskiy, 46, said on the Thursday, October 15, episode of the “Viall Files” podcast. “You’re not talking about extra background dancers running out.” Johnson, 32, and celebrity partner Harry Shum Jr. performed a high-energy samba on Tuesday, September 13’s Super Bowl Night, for which Inaba, 58, docked points over an illegal lift. (While dancers aren’t allowed to take both feet off the ground in a traditional samba, two troupe dancers helped Shum, 44, do a backflip mid-routine.) “There’s no ‘three other people’ in the rulebook. The point is: Carrie Ann, get some consistency,” Chmerkovskiy quipped. “A lift is a lift if a partner lifted his partner. … If you’re going to have [the] troupe run out and throw someone in the air, that’s not a lift. That’s Dancing With the Stars creative direction, and you should complain to the creative director.” Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Peta Murgatroyd, also agreed with her spouse. (Maks’ brother, Val Chmerkovskiy has been married to Johnson since 2019.) “When I heard what she said about no one could lift the person, I agreed with Jenna in the fact, like, ‘Oh, so even if it’s not me, he can’t be lifted either,’” Murgatroyd, 40, said on Thursday’s episode. “I think maybe that would have been confusing for me too.” After Inaba’s critique, Johnson succinctly asked whether the move was in fact a lift. Maks, for his part, felt his sister-in-law’s comment was one of a “consummate professional.” Even so, Maks agreed with Inaba about the lack of samba skills displayed in the routine. “[She felt the] samba content wasn’t enough, and I agree,” he stated. “They gave too much of a nod to [Usher’s type] of movement and the movement quality, which is Harry’s card. … But samba didn’t play out, and I think that’s where Carrie Ann should have ended. To give it a lift situation, come on? Then, give him a 7, take the points [or] something. Why did you bring this up if you’re not going to do anything about it? That’s my problem.” Johnson has since spoken with Inaba, clarifying that she respects the judges’ feedback. “I hear Carrie Ann. She’s a judge for a reason,” Johnson told Extra after Tuesday’s episode. “She’s gonna do her job, I’m gonna do mine. I’m gonna take the feedback.” Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

Oct 15, 2026
Queens Mother’s Chilling 911 Call Leaves Community in Shock

Queens Mother’s Chilling 911 Call Leaves Community in Shock

See more of our coverage in your search results. The mother of the 5-year-old girl who was found battered and lifeless inside her Queens home Wednesday made a bone-chilling confession to a 911 operator — coldly telling them “I killed my daughter,” law enforcement sources said.The woman made the disturbing admission to a dispatcher before police were summoned to the home on 110th Street near 95th Avenue in South Richmond Hill just before 7 p.m., according to the sources.When police arrived, the girl’s mother – who was waiting at the front door, according to a neighbor – told them, “She’s upstairs not breathing,” the sources said. Police at the home where a 5-year-old female was killed at 95-24 110 St. in Queens, Oct. 14, 2026. Robert Mecea for NY PostOnce upstairs, officers found the girl unconscious and unresponsive, lying face-up with blood coming out of her nose and a weak pulse, according to the sources.She was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in critical condition, where she was later pronounced dead, police said.Her official cause of death will be determined by the city’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.Her mother – who appeared stoic and didn’t shed a tear – was carted away in handcuffs, according to the neighbor who identified himself as Carlos.“She was not crying, it was like nothing happened,” he recalled. “It’s too much emotions together. I feel sad for the child.”Carlos remembered the girl as a very happy child, always bubbling with energy and wanting to give him and everyone she knew a hug.Erika Santiago, 43, a licensed practical nurse who lives across the street, said she heard “a lot of yelling” Wednesday night before the emergency response.“I heard about this when I woke up this morning at 6 o’clock and it’s absolutely devastating, devastating,” said Santiago, who has two daughters of her own, 10 and 12. “And it’s right across the street and they brought her to the hospital I work at. It’s so close to home.”

Oct 15, 2026
Sorority Scandal Erupts at UCSB Over Alleged Discrimination

Sorority Scandal Erupts at UCSB Over Alleged Discrimination

A sorority scandal has erupted at one of America’s most notorious party schools after members accused an outside recruitment adviser of sidelining women of color, sparking a furious showdown inside their California chapter house. Sisters of the Alpha Phi sorority at the University of California, Santa Barbara, say they were left stunned when Black women and other women of color were allegedly excluded from recruitment activities while prospective members from diverse backgrounds mysteriously disappeared from the selection pool, according to the Daily Nexus.The explosive allegations have rocked the coastal campus, with outrage spilling onto social media and sorority sisters turning against the very leadership brought in to help them recruit new members.A sorority scandal has erupted at UCSB after members accused an outside recruitment adviser of systematically sidelining women of color. TIKTOK/@ucsbalphaphiSky Achola said she arrived at the house Sept. 27 expecting to meet prospective recruits, only to discover she had been left off the schedule entirely.“All of us started to notice,” chapter president Alana Nielsen told the student newspaper. “It was not just one. It was not just a few. It was not just the women of color. It was all of us.”The drama began during fall recruitment in late September, when Alpha Phi International sent three representatives to oversee the chapter’s annual rush process.Among them was a volunteer recruitment adviser who was also a UCSB Alpha Phi alumna and had assisted the chapter for the previous two years.Roughly 1,200 hopefuls initially participated in recruitment, according to the Santa Barbara News-Press.But after the first round on Sept. 26, sorority members were reportedly ordered to leave while the outside representatives determined which candidates would advance. The allegations have rocked UCSB students, with outrage spilling onto social media and sorority sisters turning against the very leadership brought in to help them recruit new members. UC Santa Barbara AlumniWhen the sisters returned, the pool had reportedly shrunk to approximately 250 women and members immediately noticed something troubling.“There was a large and noticeably diverse group of women who were missing from the pool of potential new members that had returned,” Nielsen told the Daily Nexus.The apparent shake-up was especially baffling because members had reportedly been told that roughly 90% of prospective recruits mutually wanted to return to Alpha Phi.Meanwhile, existing sisters of color were allegedly being pushed to the sidelines.Sky Achola, a Black sorority member and third-year political science major, said she arrived at the house Sept. 27 expecting to meet prospective recruits, only to discover she had been left off the schedule entirely.Alpha Phi sorority chapter president Alana Nielsen said she requested a chapter-wide meeting to address the concerns but was allegedly told by an outside representative that a discussion was unnecessary. Instagram/@alanaanielsenShe soon realized she wasn’t alone.“Pretty much all the women of color in my family system, except for my ‘little,’ who was white, were pulled from all the rounds,” Achola told the News-Press.Achola said she was eventually assigned to one recruitment round after members began raising questions.“I actually personally was in a state of shock for about three days,” she told the outlet.As the alleged discrimination became increasingly apparent, frustration inside the sorority house reached a boiling point.Nielsen said she requested a chapter-wide meeting to address the concerns but was allegedly told by an outside representative that a discussion was unnecessary and that the day should end on a “happy note.”Instead of sending the sisters home, Nielsen gathered members in the chapter room for an emotional confrontation.What followed was nothing short of a sorority revolt.Sky Achola, left, said she was extremely hurt by the alleged discrimination and was in shock for a few days after.“Girls [were] standing up screaming,” recruitment director Emerson Novosel told the Daily Nexus. “It [was] like a revolution happening right now. Like standing up, crying, screaming, and I had never felt so empowered.” Members demanded answers as some broke down in tears, accusing the outside leadership of betraying the chapter’s values.The volunteer adviser reportedly left the meeting after objecting to the confrontation. Later that night, chapter recruitment directors met with the two remaining international representatives and learned that the volunteer had been responsible for deciding which prospective members advanced and which sisters participated in recruitment groups, according to chapter leaders.The unidentified adviser was subsequently reported and removed from her position.Alpha Phi sorority members in Santa Barbara demanded answers as some broke down in tears, accusing the outside leadership of betraying the chapter’s values. TIKTOK/@ucsbalphaphi“It had [become] so disgustingly clear how it was just manipulation, just blatant manipulation to every part of the process with whatever her hidden agenda is,” Novosel told the Daily Nexus.The controversy quickly exploded across Yik Yak, the anonymous social media platform popular among college students, where posts demanding accountability racked up hundreds and sometimes more than 1,000 upvotes, per the News-Press.But the sisters insist they were victims of the alleged discrimination too.“The women of color in the sorority were discriminated against too,” Achola told the News-Press.Despite the uproar, Alpha Phi refused to abandon recruitment, with the national organization choosing instead to take control of the remaining process.The chapter ultimately filled its recruitment quota, leaving uncertainty over whether women allegedly excluded earlier could still receive invitations through a separate informal bidding process.On Oct. 1, members released a collective statement through an anonymous Instagram account, declaring they would fight for change from within.Achola said she was discriminated against and tokenized during the sorority process.“We have chosen to remain in the recruitment process because we believe that our members have the power to create meaningful change from within,” the statement read.Alpha Phi International later sent representatives from its health, wellness and accountability department to meet with chapter members, including at an Oct. 5 meeting.Nielsen said the chapter is collecting statements from members and pushing to overhaul recruitment procedures.For Achola, the fallout has been especially painful.“We were extremely hurt by this entire thing. We were discriminated against. We were tokenized. We were used,” she told the Daily Nexus.And while the sorority’s reputation has taken a beating, Nielsen insisted the sisters are determined to make sure the scandal doesn’t happen again.“That’s going to be a relationship that’s going to take a long time to repair,” she said of the chapter’s relationship with its national leadership.The California Post reached out to Alpha Phi International and UCSB for comment. Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!

Oct 15, 2026
Denise Richards Opens Up: Why Her Marriage to Aaron Phypers is Her Biggest Regret

Denise Richards Opens Up: Why Her Marriage to Aaron Phypers is Her Biggest Regret

Denise Richards is done with marriage after her acrimonious split from estranged husband Aaron Phypers. “Will I ever get married again? Abso-f***ing-lutely not. I don’t want that piece of paper,” the Starship Troopers actress, 55, shared on Jenny McCarthy’s “The Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg Show” podcast on Tuesday, October 13. Richards said she felt that she “was a product and this was a business arrangement” in her marriage to Phypers, 54, adding, “This was not a marriage.” “That part, I can’t do again. I’m 0 for 2. I am,” she said, referring to her separation from Phypers and previous divorce from actor Charlie Sheen. Richards clarified, however, that “I would have a partner, and I want to fall in love again. … I don’t want to be bitter, I don’t want to be cold.” Richards and Phypers got married in September 2018, but the relationship came crashing down seven years later when Phypers filed for divorce in July 2025, citing irreconcilable differences. Richards alleged that Phypers was physically abusive throughout their marriage, filing for a restraining order against him that same month. Phypers denied the allegations, telling Us in a statement in July 2025, “I want to address recent rumors and speculation that have surfaced regarding my relationship with my wife, Denise Richards. Let me be unequivocally clear: I have never physically or emotionally abused Denise — or anyone.” In November 2025, Richards was granted a permanent restraining order against her ex. As their divorce continues to make its way through the courts, Richards told McCarthy, 53, on Tuesday, that her relationship with Phypers is her single regret in life. “I wasn’t looking for a relationship, but it happened,” she said of meeting Phypers, who worked at a wellness center when they met. “It was a good time in my life, too, where my girls were getting a bit older and everything was behind me with Charlie.” She continued, “I certainly, looking back, wish I never set foot into his wellness place ever. I don’t have any regrets in my life. I’ve always been the type that everything’s a lesson — the challenges, as painful as they can be, I don’t regret it. This, I regret. I’ve never regretted anything.” Richards said that she is looking forward to the divorce eventually being finalized so she can move past Phypers. “I’m friends, also, with all of my exes, or friendly [with them]. If I ran into them, it would be like, ‘Hey!’ I can’t think of one that that wouldn’t happen, except him,” she said. She later revealed, “I have a hard time looking at pictures of us during the course of the years that we were together.” “So, even looking at pictures of us, I can’t even look at it. It’s such a deep pain and regret and betrayal,” she continued. “I think it was fake on his part. Even the happy times of us being on a trip or whatever, I can’t even look at it because I believe it wasn’t even real. I’ve learned so much about him and our marriage during the separation, more than I did during the marriage. I can’t wait until my divorce is final. I will delete every memory [of him] and I’ve never done that before. It’s that bad.”

Oct 15, 2026
Anna Gunn's Emotional Tribute to RJ Mitte: A Heartfelt Farewell

Anna Gunn's Emotional Tribute to RJ Mitte: A Heartfelt Farewell

Anna Gunn will always have a special place in her heart for her Breaking Bad son, RJ Mitte, following his death by suicide. "I'll never forget meeting RJ when he was only 14 years old," Gunn, 58, said in a statement to Us on Wednesday, October 14. "I was immediately struck by the depth and complexity of someone so young.” After playing his TV mom, Skyler White, for five seasons on the hit AMC series, Gunn called Mitte a “gentle and bold, exceedingly kind, and wickedly funny" person who was "a bit rebellious (like any teenager) yet eager to learn and hone his craft” as an actor. Mitte, for his part, portrayed Walter “Flynn” White Jr., the son of Skyler and Bryan Cranston’s Walter White. (Mitte died by suicide on Monday, October 12, at the age of 34.) “Above all, he was doggedly determined that his disability would not impede him, but would instead give him the opportunity to enlighten and educate others through his nakedly truthful portrayal of Walt 'Flynn' Jr.,” Gunn said, referring to Mitte’s diagnosis with cerebral palsy at age 3. Gunn noted that the entire Breaking Bad family was “lucky” that Mitte “lit up our lives” for so long. "How lucky I was to play his TV mom, to watch him evolve and expand as an actor and human being as the seasons went by, and for all the years after as he continued to serve his community with tireless advocacy and philanthropic work,” she gushed. “I was so proud of him; we all were.” She continued, "There truly are no words to express the heartbreak of a loss this profound, the loss of a beautiful young man who had such an impact upon this world, with still so much ahead of him.” The Emmy winner explained that in the wake of her former costar’s death and amidst so much profound sadness, she is deciding to focus on the positive. "What I choose to remember and cherish today are the quiet, personal moments I shared with my beloved TV son," she continued. "Moments of mutual support and understanding, of belly-aching laughter and silliness, of care and deep love. You live in my heart forever, my dearest RJ." Gunn’s heartfelt tribute comes just days after Mitte’s rep confirmed his death by suicide in Texas. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte,” his rep said in a statement to Us on Monday. He added, “Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s. He also served as president of The Mitte Foundation, supporting philanthropic efforts and community initiatives, while using his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation for people with disabilities.” Since his death, the Breaking Bad cast has shared sweet messages of sympathy while reminiscing on their time with Mitte, including tributes from Cranston, 70, and Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman. “We were texting each other just a few weeks ago — figuring out when we could meet for lunch,” Cranston wrote via Instagram. “I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future… But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed… I’ll miss you, son.” Paul, 47, penned his own social media tribute, writing, “I’m so sorry RJ. What an absolute tragic loss. I love you my friend. I loved your mother. Your sister. I loved your laugh and how much fun you had riding the wave we were all blessed to be on with Breaking Bad.” If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Oct 15, 2026
Francisco Lindor's Vasectomy Celebration: How His Wife Stole the Spotlight

Francisco Lindor's Vasectomy Celebration: How His Wife Stole the Spotlight

As a five-time All-Star, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has never had to worry about getting cut from the team — but getting snipped is a different story. “Three beautiful children later, we decided our family is complete. ❤️,” Lindor’s wife, Katia Lindor, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, October 14, revealing her husband recently underwent a vasectomy. “I’ve carried the babies, now it was his turn to take one for the team. ������ Love you, babe! ��.” The accompanying video had the text, “POV: It’s vasectomy time,” overlaid as NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” played in the background. Throughout the video, Katia, 32, can be seen holding up various snacks, whose names she edited by taping a paper depiction of sperm over some of the words to create a vasectomy theme. Some of the best depictions feature din the post were “Worry free Lays” potato chips, “Snips” Ahoy and “Now Shooting” Duds (in lieu of milk duds). She also held up a card at the beginning that read, “Snip Snip Hooray! It’s Vasectomy Day.” Francisco, 32, and Katia married in December 2021 after welcoming their first baby, daughter Kalina, the year prior. They have since welcomed two more children, daughter Angelina, 3, and son Koa, 19 months. While Francisco is as tied as the 2026 American League Championship Series, he seems more than willing to have made the sacrifice. He gushed to Us last July about Katia, saying he married up. “Somebody once told me that the most successful people have a significant other next to them,” Francisco said. “Man, that is so true. I always say I married up. To have her be the rock of the house, how she takes care of the kids. She’s an extension of me. I’m an extension of her. We are raising these kids to be the best human beings they can be. We try to teach the values that we have and pass them on.” He continued, “She’s been amazing. Family is everything. Good days become better days with the family and bad days become good days. It might be a cliche thing to say, but in reality, my kids don’t really care what I do on the field. They just want their dad. In a world where it’s all about results, with my kids and my wife, it’s not. I love that.” Without the worry of an unplanned pregnancy, Francisco can now turn to recovering the potency of his wooden bat. The four-time Silver Slugger just finished arguably the worst offensive season of his career, hitting .225 with a .733 OPS in 105 games.

Oct 14, 2026
Santa Barbara School in Turmoil After Blackface Incident Sparks Outrage

Santa Barbara School in Turmoil After Blackface Incident Sparks Outrage

See more of our coverage in your search results. California parents are furious at a school district after four teenage girls posted a TikTok in blackface last month.The girls were disciplined, but parents claimed their conduct is part of a pattern at Santa Barbara Unified School District.Parents sat with signs decrying racism at a school board meeting on Tuesday night. Signs read things like, “Don’t be a bystander, stop ignoring racism,” and “What was the reason it took two weeks and some to notify parents?” and “racism doesn’t disappear when it’s swept under the rug.”Parents sat with signs decrying racism at a school board meeting on Tuesday night. Signs read things like, “Don’t be a bystander, stop ignoring racism,” and “What was the reason it took 2 weeks and some to notify parents?” and “racism doesn’t disappear when it’s swept under the rug.”San Marcos High School Principal Dare Holdren previously said the students “portrayed blackface” in the post and noted the school “instituted consequences” for the girls.Most of the signs were made because of an organized protest in favor of black students and demanded action from the district.Most of the discourse surrounded the girls’ TikTok video in which the girls are seen mimicking an AI-generated image of four young black boys in various poses. “Meet the gc🥷🥷🥷🥷🥷🥷🥷…,” the post is captioned. The ninja emoji is known to be used as a reference to the N-word.San Marcos High School Principal Dare Holdren previously said the students “portrayed blackface” in the post and noted the school “instituted consequences” for the girls.Parents wondered why it took Holdren two weeks to notify them of the incident.“Parents deserve to know,” Leticia Forney Resch, an executive director for Healing Justice Santa Barbara, said. “They had pictures and images going out to students for a week-and-a-half… Y’all didn’t do your job.” The girls posed for the picture in an African American studies classroom. The teacher who uses the room as his classroom expressed outrage at the racism in the school.“When black students are harmed, every student is harmed,” Abel Gonzalez, the ethnic studies teacher at San Marcos High School, said. “Black and brown students are very upset and trying to heal.” The girls posed for the video in an African American studies classroom. The teacher who uses the room as his classroom expressed outrage at the racism in the school.Other racist incidents have rattled the school district in the past.According to the Santa Barbara Independent, a San Marcos High School substitute teacher read the N-word out loud during a reading of “Of Mice and Men” last year after being told not to. The substitute was then removed from campus.A parent said the district has just watched racism escalate.“When a nation refuses to confront institutional and structural racism, the harm does not stay contained, it escalates,” Charlotte Gullap-Moore said. “Santa Barbara Unified has watched that escalation in its own schools.” The local NAACP criticized the school for failing to establish protocols to respond to incidents of racism. Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association.The local NAACP previously criticized the school for failing to establish protocols to respond to incidents of racism.“SBUSD has struggled to establish protocols to respond to racial incidents and execute them with humanity. Principals need clear guidance; parents and students need accessible information about district investigations and potential disciplinary actions for racist incidents,” NAACP Santa Barbara President Connie Alexander wrote in an op-ed for the Santa Barbara Independent.Even teachers say the only way the school district can remedy the situation is action.“Doing nothing tells this community that anti-Black bias and racism is woven into the fabric of Santa Barbara schools,” Moore, speaking on behalf of Santa Barbara Unified teacher Tahnia Mark, said. “So be honest, do you really care about black students? If you don’t, just say it…Otherwise, show through action.”Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!

Oct 14, 2026
Kai Trump Sparks Reactions with Hospital Bed Photo Post-Surgery

Kai Trump Sparks Reactions with Hospital Bed Photo Post-Surgery

Kai Trump shared an “unexpected” update after injuring her wrist during the first golf tournament of her collegiate career.  “While I had hoped to avoid surgery, after talks with my family, coaches, and athletic training staff I know I made the best decision for my long-term health and my future in the game I love,” Trump, 19, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, October 14. “It’s certainly not how I envisioned the next few months, but sometimes the journey takes an unexpected turn, and I’m choosing to embrace this one with patience, and a whole lot of determination.” Kai, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, shared a photo of herself post-surgery in her hospital bed along with her message.  “Recovery will take time, but I’m incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by amazing people who continue to lift me up, encourage me, and remind me that every challenge is an opportunity to grow,” she continued. “Having the right people by your side makes all the difference, and I couldn’t be more grateful.” Kai underwent the procedure at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. “A special thank you to Dr. Carlson and the incredible team at HSS in New York for taking such great care of me, and to my teammates, coaches, family, and everyone who has supported me along the way,” she said. “For now, it’s all about healing, and trusting the process. I can’t wait to be back with my team, doing what I love. I’ll be back before you know it, stronger and more grateful than ever!” Kai, a freshman student-athlete at the University of Miami, revealed the injury setback happened when she “hit the ground next to the first cart path” while playing in the Golfweek Fall Challenge in early September. “Let’s just say there must have been some cart path underneath that ground because it was very hard. Hit it, it felt like a shock on my arm,” Kai explained in a vlog. “Then on the 10th hole, I hit my driver, and I felt like I tore it again.” Kai ultimately finished the tournament, finishing in a tie for 102nd place in a 120-player field. At the time, Kai said he was hoping to avoid surgery with “stem cell” injections administered by pain specialist Dr. Jeffrey Wiegers. It is not clear how long Kai will be out of action. University of Miami’s golf schedule extends until the middle of May.

Oct 14, 2026
Hayden Panettiere's Final Moments: The Heartbreaking 911 Call Revealed

Hayden Panettiere's Final Moments: The Heartbreaking 911 Call Revealed

See more of our coverage in your search results. Zach Hickerson’s desperate attempts to save actress Hayden Panettiere’s life have been revealed in a new 911 audio.A 911 call obtained by CBS News revealed Brian Hickerson’s brother called authorities in a panic after finding the “Heroes” alum unresponsive in an Airbnb in South Carolina on Aug. 16.“Oh god, oh my god,” Zach — who said he had just returned from church when he found her — can be heard on the call before the dispatcher asked if Panettiere was breathing. “No, I don’t think so.”Zach Hickerson’s attempted to save actress Hayden Panettiere’s life, a 911 audio recording revealed. (Seen here: Panettiere in September 2024.) RW/MediaPunch / ShutterstockBrian Hickerson’s brother called authorities in a panic after finding the actress unresponsive in a South Carolina Airbnb in South Carolina on Aug. 16, per CBS News. (Seen here: Brian and Zach Hickerson.) Zach Hickerson/InstagramThe dispatcher instructed Zach to find a defibrillator, which he was unable to locate. He then confirmed the actress was not breathing.“OK, we need to start CPR,” the dispatcher told Zach. “I’m going to tell you how to do CPR, OK? We’re gonna start with ventilation first.” Zach proceeded to perform the life-saving measures on Panettiere until first responders arrived and took over. Zach had returned to the apartment complex (seen here) after church. Robin Rayne for NY PostDuring the call, Zach confirmed that Panettiere (seen here with Brian) wasn’t breathing. Eric Charbonneau/ShutterstockThe “I Love You Beth Cooper” star was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:32 p.m. local time. She was 36.Additionally, a police report previously obtained by Page Six revealed Brian, who was involved in an on-again, off-again relationship with Panettiere since 2018, gave officers a “bag of medication” she had been taking.Page Six confirmed that Panettiere died from the toxic effects of 4-ANPP, fentanyl, methocarbamol, alprazolam and quetiapine.Her manner of death was ruled an accident, with “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death.”Zach then attempted CPR on the Disney alum (seen here). Janet Mayer / ShutterstockParamedics arrived shortly after. (Seen here: Panettiere.) haydenpanettiere/InstagramHayden’s death was confirmed by her father, Skip Panettiere, via a statement that same day.“She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” the patriarch wrote. “We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”Ahead of her death, Hayden was candid about her ongoing addiction to opioids and alcohol, and her journey with postpartum depression.The “Nashville” alum recalled in 2015 the “really scary” and “painful” experience after she gave birth to her and her then-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko’s now 11-year-old daughter, Kaya.“There’s a lot of misunderstanding — there’s a lot of people out there that think it’s not real, that’s it not true, that it’s something that’s made up in their minds, that, ‘Oh, it’s hormones,’ ” she shared on a vulnerable episode of “Live with Kelly and Michael.”“They brush it off. It’s something that’s completely uncontrollable. It’s really painful and it’s really scary and women need a lot of support.”Panettiere (seen here with Brian) was pronounced dead at the scene. GC ImagesShe was 36. (Seen here: Panettiere in 2022.) Getty Images for amfARUltimately, Hayden’s battle with addiction led to her engagement with Klitschko ending in 2018, and her giving full custody of Kaya to her ex.“It was the hardest thing I ever had to do,” Hayden said in 2022, per People. “But I wanted to be a good mom to her — and sometimes that means letting them go.”According to a Greenville County Coroner’s Office obtained by Page Six, Hayden had allegedly overdosed and entered rehab before she died.If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).  Community GuidelinesWelcome to the Page Six Community!Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas in a safe space.In order to do so, we've created a simple set of rules that will improve your experience.Simply put, keep it civil.Your post will/might be rejected if it contains: Spam Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language and threats of any kind Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author User accounts will/might be blocked if we notice: Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected Racist, sexist, or homophobic comments Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk So, how can you be a power user? Stay on topic and share your passion. Feel free to elaborate to get your point across. 'Like' or 'Dislike' when you are filled with emotions! Protect your community. Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules. Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Don't forget, freedom of speech is not the freedom of reach!

Oct 14, 2026
Major Banks Accused of Targeting MAGA and Conservative Groups

Major Banks Accused of Targeting MAGA and Conservative Groups

Major banks closed accounts and refused credit to MAGA merchants, pro-life causes, religious groups, conservative organizations and sectors disfavored by the Biden administration, such as firearms, oil and gas, and private prisons, a bombshell report from the federal banking regulator has found.The Debanking Review by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) investigated 100,000 complaints and scrutinized 50,000 internal bank records to reveal how customers were “debanked” based purely on their political, social, or religious beliefs.JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Capital One, PNC, TD Bank, and BMO Bank were found to have discriminated against American consumers, citing “reputation risk” as a reason to deny service between 2020 and 2025.President Joe Biden delivers a prime-time address to the nation in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 24, 2024. Bloomberg via Getty ImagesNegative press, protests, criticism from advocacy groups such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, and reprisals from regulators or politicians were cited as the reputation risks most feared by the banks.The 47-page OCC report, “Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans,” released Wednesday, found that the nation’s largest banks targeted Christian organizations over abortion, LGBTQ issues, and traditional family values. The banks also restricted financing for “disfavored” industries such as firearms makers and retailers, Arctic oil and gas, coal, detention facilities, tobacco and e-cigarettes.Among the examples in the report is JPMorgan Chase’s payment operation, WePay, closing the account of a merchant that sold merchandise promoting President Trump and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) brand, claiming it “promote[d] hate, violence, or racial intolerance.”The bank’s internal screening system regularly flagged terms such as “MAGA,” “Make America Great,” and “America First” that appeared in merchants’ customer profiles, websites, and transaction information. Several of the terms used to find “violations” were added after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. WePay also closed accounts for a merchant selling “conservative/republican t-shirts, hats, etc.” Merchandise that raised “red flags” included a “Biden-Illegitimate-Tshirt,” “The-Big-Lie-Sticker”, and a “Trump-Won” flag.JPMorgan Chase bank’s internal screening system regularly flagged terms such as “MAGA,” “Make America Great,” and “America First” that appeared in merchants’ customer profiles. Jimin Kim/SOPA Images/ShutterstockPeople are reflected in a window as they walk by a Citibank branch in New York City, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. REUTERSA merchant was debanked for processing payments for a planned event after the event organizer posted promotional material on social media that bank employees decided was “an incitement of hate”.The posts described Black Lives Matter as “Marxists” and called President Biden and Anthony Fauci “the enemy”.Banks regularly used hate group designations from the Southern Poverty Law Center to debank customers. The SPLC was indicted in April on federal fraud and money-laundering charges, with prosecutors alleging it defrauded donors of millions of dollars. FBI Director Kash Patel has described the non-profit as a “partisan smear machine.” JPMorgan’s WePay, for instance,  closed the account of a religious organization citing the fact it had been designated an “extremist hate group” by the SPLC. In the bank’s internal tracking system, employees described the organization as a “[r]ight wing religious conservative non profit with strong anti LGBTQ rhetoric.” WePay also closed an account used to raise funds to support a legal challenge of anti-discrimination laws by a “devout Christian”. PNC refused to issue a line of credit to a successful media company because the bank’s environmental and social governance group noted that one owner had a foundation that “has funded several Christian conservative groups, including several identified as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center.” Another owner was branded “a conservative political commentator.” People are reflected in a window as they walk by a Citibank branch in New York City, July 16, 2025. REUTERSThe bank employee who recommended the refusal wrote: “I think it becomes really difficult to justify aligning ourselves with a company whose owners have built very public personas around opinions very contrary to PNC’s beliefs/values.”Wells Fargo pressured a payment processor to terminate a religious nonprofit because of its views on same-sex marriage. Wells Fargo also declined to lend money to two firearms businesses, with employees fearing repercussions from the Biden administration and criticism from anti-gun activists and members of Congress.“Under the Biden administration, banks could face greater supervisory pressure to move away from lending to the firearms industry,” noted a reputation risk review of a prospective firearms client.Wells Fargo pressured a payment processor to terminate a religious nonprofit because of its views on same-sex marriage.  Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBank of America debanked private-prison businesses citing “changing policymaker attitudes,” and then tried to re-establish one of the accounts just months into the Trump administration.The OCC report also found organizations on both sides of the political spectrum had been denied services because of their perceived political affiliations. Capital One, for instance, declined to provide financial services to any partisan entity that supported the campaigns of candidates from a single political party. The bank refused business with an organization promoting “reproductive rights [that was] synonymous with abortion and the Dems” and also declined services to a gun rights organization “due to optics that we endorsed its position.”Bank of America debanked private-prison businesses citing “changing policymaker attitudes,” and then tried to re-establish one of the accounts just months into the Trump administration. Christopher Sadowski for NY PostAlthough all nine banks told the OCC they had revised their practices, the regulator said the reforms have not gone far enough and that no bank had “fully and publicly acknowledged” its “weaponization of finance against hardworking Americans.”The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced an investigation into the banks Wednesday and pledged to address any consumer harm caused by the debanking practices described in the report.“It is appalling that these banks targeted American consumers for their political, social, or religious beliefs that did not align with the Biden Administration or its leftist allies,” said CFPB’s Acting Director Mark Paoletta. “Many of those targeted were supporters of President Trump. These thuggish tactics… have no place in America…“The CFPB will fully investigate whether the institutions featured in OCC’s report and others have complied with federal consumer financial laws and take appropriate action.” The CFPB holds primary supervisory and enforcement authority for banks with over $10 billion in assets.Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould said the OCC is considering further action to stop banks discriminating against customers on the basis of their political or religious beliefs.“Today’s report provides irrefutable evidence that the nation’s largest banks have denied, debanked and discriminated against customers and lawful businesses,” he said.The OCC review followed President Trump’s executive order directing federal banking regulators to combat “politicized or unlawful debanking”. The August 7, 2025 order declared that “no American should be denied access to financial services because of their constitutionally or statutorily protected beliefs, affiliations, or political views.”President Donald Trump addresses the crowd during a midterm rally for Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Congressman Nick Begich, R-Alaska, in Wasilla, Alaska, on Oct. 13, 2026. ZUMAPRESS.comDonald Trump is suing JPMorgan Chase, alleging it closed his accounts in 2021 for political reasons after the Capitol riot.Melania, Eric, and Barron Trump have also complained they were debanked at that time, along with several Trump businesses. Tech founder Marc Andreessen has claimed tech entrepreneurs were debanked under a program by the Biden administration because they were operating disfavored businesses like crypto. He also alleged his partner’s father was debanked for his conservative political views.Americans who believe they were unfairly debanked can visit helpwithmybank.gov.A spokesman for JPMorgan Chase said: “A process used by WePay, a small technology company we acquired years ago and have since wound down, did not meet our expectations. We identified it, corrected it, and the business no longer operates… Our policies prohibit discrimination against customers based on political or religious views.”

Oct 14, 2026