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Georgia passerby saves man from burning home by kicking down storm door

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Georgia passerby saves man from burning home by kicking down storm door

A Georgia homeowner has recounted how a quick-thinking passerby saved him from his burning home last month by kicking down a locked storm door to pull him to safety.

David McConnell told FOX5 Atlanta that he was taking a nap in his Winterville home on the afternoon of Oct. 29 when a noise from the kitchen woke him up.

“I heard some popping and snapping and crackling,” McConnell said, adding that he went back to sleep thinking the sound would go away.

McConnell only realized something was wrong when the fire alarm went off. He told the outlet that he jumped out of bed and found thick smoke engulfing the inside of his home.

FIREFIGHTER PULLS TODDLER FROM BURNING APARTMENT BUILDING IN DRAMATIC EARLY MORNING RESCUE: VIDEO

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Firefighters responded to a house fire in Winterville, Georgia, around 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. (Athens-Clarke County Fire Department)

“You could not see out my backdoor or my window,” McConnell said. “That was pretty scary.”

McConnel said he tried to exit the home through his front door but found the storm door locked.

Fire officials said that the roof collapsed when first responders arrived. (Athens-Clarke County Fire Department)

Dylan Betts, a good Samaritan who was driving by on his way home from work, stopped when he saw the smoke and raced to help.

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“I ripped off and then kicked it in,” Betts said of the locked storm door. 

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. (Athens-Clarke County Fire Department)

Betts said he stepped inside the home through a “thick wall of black smoke” and called out.

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“Mr. David, luckily, heard my voice, and he came right to me,” Betts told FOX5. 

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The fire was believed to have started in the garage before spreading throughout the home. (Athens-Clarke County Fire Department)

When the outlet asked Betts why he risked his life to save a stranger, Betts responded, “Why not? That’s America.”

McConnell said that his family calls Betts “our hero,” and even gave Betts tickets to a Georgia/Tennessee football game as a small thank you for saving his life.

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The Athens-Clarke County Fire Department said the fire originated in the garage and spread throughout the structure, according to the station. Firefighters arrived to find deteriorating conditions, including a roof collapse. No injuries were reported.

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Florida GOP candidate launches Tinder account to campaign to young female voters

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Florida GOP candidate launches Tinder account to campaign to young female voters

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A Republican candidate for governor in Florida announced on Monday that he launched a Tinder account so that he can campaign to young female voters in the Sunshine State.

James Fishback, a 31-year-old investment firm CEO, shared his latest campaign move on X.

“I’ve joined @Tinder to meet young female voters where they are, and share my plan to make it easier for them to get married, buy a home, and raise a family,” he wrote.

He added a screenshot of the profile that showed: “My hottest take is … Florida should offer paid maternity leave to all moms.”

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James Fishback announcing his run for governor (Fishback2026.com)

Less than an hour later, Fishback added an update: “i ran out of likes. could someone donate so i can get tinder plus?”

Fishback is running to succeed term-limited Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reached his term limit as governor of the Sunshine State. (Octavio Jones/Getty Images, File)

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He joins a crowded Republican field that includes U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins.

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., arrives to a House Republican Conference meeting with President Donald Trump on the budget reconciliation bill in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

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If elected, Fishback has said he’d propose a hefty “sin tax” on OnlyFans content creators.

“Young women once aspired to be devoted mothers, doctors, lawyers, and nurses,” James Fishback told Fox News Digital in a statement last month.

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Fishback continued: “Today, young women are told by an online platform called OnlyFans that it’s morally right to sell nude photos of themselves to strangers on the internet. I will not tolerate this cultural degeneracy as Florida’s next Republican Governor.”

Fox News Digital’s Brie Stimson contributed to this report.

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Inquiry begun after American Airlines flight reports mysterious blue light while trying to land

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Inquiry begun after American Airlines flight reports mysterious blue light while trying to land

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An American Airlines flight reported seeing a strange blue light while it was preparing to land last week — prompting an investigation.

The incident occurred early in the morning of Thursday, Jan. 29, as the plane was 5 miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shared in a statement with Fox News Digital.

The flight had departed from Charleston, South Carolina, according to American Airlines in a statement it shared with Fox News Digital.

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Ultimately, the flight landed safely — and no injuries were reported.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the crew reported this as a laser event,” the airline said.

As it prepared to land, an American Airlines flight (actual flight not shown here) reported seeing an unusual blue light. (iStock)

American Airlines said its pilots receive training on how to handle potential laser illumination incidents and are instructed to report any such events immediately.

The information is then shared with air traffic control — which passes the report along to law enforcement officials for further review.

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The FAA confirmed to Fox News Digital that it would be investigating the incident.

In 2025, pilots reported almost 11,000 laser strikes, the FAA’s website noted.

Last year, nearly 11,000 laser strikes were reported, the FAA said.  (iStock)

From those incidents, 10 injuries were reported, the FAA said.

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Federal officials have repeatedly warned that laser strikes pose a serious safety risk to aircraft, particularly during takeoff and landing.

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“Laser pointers may seem like a toy, office tool or game. Pointed to the sky, lasers are a serious threat,” the FAA said.  

“A laser can incapacitate pilots, putting thousands of passengers at risk every year.”

Lasers pointed at planes can incapacitate pilots — putting thousands of lives in danger every year, says the FAA. (iStock)

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People who shine lasers at aircrafts can face penalties.

The FAA said violators may be fined up to $32,000 per incident — and could also face criminal charges under federal law.

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Fox News Digital previously reported that the FAA was investigating a similar incident after the crew of a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter reported receiving illuminations by a green laser near Hector International Airport in North Dakota in 2025.

The incident occurred about two miles from the airport, and no injuries were reported.

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Alexandra Koch of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

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ICE arrests New Orleans police recruit with deportation order who was issued firearm by department

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ICE arrests New Orleans police recruit with deportation order who was issued firearm by department

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a New Orleans Police Department recruit from Cameroon who was issued a firearm despite an active deportation order, just one week before he was set to graduate from the police academy.

ICE said in a press release Tuesday that 46-year-old Larry Temah was arrested Jan. 28 and remains in ICE custody.

The New Orleans Police Department recruited Temah and issued him a firearm despite federal law prohibiting illegal aliens from possessing firearms, according to ICE.

Temah entered the U.S. legally in 2015 on a visitor visa and was granted conditional residency the following year after marrying a U.S. citizen, ICE said.

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Larry Temah, a NOPD recruit, was detained by ICE, according to officials. (Department of Homeland Security)

In 2022, his application for permanent residency was denied due to fraud.

Temah was ordered to appear in immigration court three times but failed to appear, resulting in an immigration judge ordering him removed from the country in absentia, ICE said.

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ICE arrested a New Orleans police recruit from Cameroon who was issued a firearm despite an active deportation order, prompting a dispute with city officials. (Octavio Jones/Reuters)

ICE also said Temah did not have valid work authorization and remains in custody pending removal proceedings.

“This illegal alien from Cameroon, Larry Temah, is not only breaking the law with every step he takes in this country illegally, but the New Orleans Police Department hired him and issued him a firearm — what kind of law enforcement department gives criminal illegal aliens guns and badges?” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “It’s a felony for illegal aliens to possess a firearm.”

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DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin blasted NOPD for issuing a firearm to an illegal immigrant, saying it violates federal law. (Charly Triballeau/ AFP via Getty Images)

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McLaughlin said ICE is restoring law and order under President Trump and Secretary Noem and accused sanctuary cities such as New Orleans of protecting illegal aliens at the expense of American citizens.

A spokesperson for the New Orleans Police Department disputed ICE’s claims, calling them misleading.

“The New Orleans Police Department verified Mr. Temah’s employment eligibility through ICE’s E-Verify system prior to hiring and was never notified of any ICE detainer,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “New Orleans is not a sanctuary city, and NOPD does not control jail operations or detainer decisions, which fall under the Sheriff’s Office.”

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“Any claim that NOPD knowingly violated the law is false,” the spokesperson added.

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