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'Continued harassment': Lawsuit to ban feds from polling sites filed by Missouri Republicans

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'Continued harassment': Lawsuit to ban feds from polling sites filed by Missouri Republicans

Missouri’s secretary of state and attorney general filed a lawsuit Monday aimed to block the Department of Justice from interfering with polling places on Election Day. 

“No one is above the law,” Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said in a press release. “The law clearly and specifically limits who may be in polling places and this action by the DOJ is not allowed. Once again the federal government is attempting to illegally interfere in Missouri’s elections.”

The suit comes after the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last week that it would deploy election monitors to 86 voting jurisdictions across 27 states, including both Republican-led states such as Florida and Democrat-led states such as California. 

The DOJ has deployed election monitors to polling stations nationwide since the 1965 Voting Rights Act in an effort to better ensure fair ballot access and prevent partisan influence, according to the Washington Post. The number of jurisdictions that are set to be monitored this year is a 49% increase from the 2020 election, and roughly matches the number of jurisdictions the DOJ monitored two decades ago during the 2004 election. 

REPUBLICANS SCORE VICTORY IN GEORGIA FIGHT OVER ELECTION OBSERVERS, RNC CHAIRMAN SAYS

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Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft testifies during a Senate Rules and Administration Committee hearing on June 20, 2018. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Ashcroft explained that in 2022, Missouri officials banned the DOJ from entering and monitoring polling places, citing that the state has been identified as leading “the nation regarding election integrity as it pertains to accessible, secure voting with timely, credible results,” according to organizations such as the conservative Heritage Foundation. 

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station at Hazelwood Central High School on Nov. 8, 2016, in Florissant, Missouri. (Getty Images)

“This is a repeat performance,” Ashcroft continued. “Two years ago, we met with the DOJ. We showed them the law and explained that they have no jurisdiction to interfere in Missouri elections. Now they are doing the same thing; trying to go through the back door by contacting local election officials and making false jurisdictional claims for access rather than contacting my office directly. The DOJ just doesn’t seem to get it – we don’t need them here; we don’t want them here.  This time we are taking it a step further and filing a lawsuit against the DOJ to get them to stop the continued harassment.”

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey posted to X that he filed the suit against the DOJ Monday morning “for sending unauthorized poll monitors to Missouri polling locations.”

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“The law is clear that @KamalaHarris can’t just send unvetted individuals into our polling places. It’s illegal and undermines trust in our elections,” he wrote. 

DOJ DEPLOYS DISTRICT ELECTIONS OFFICERS TO HANDLE ‘THREATS AND INTIMIDATION’

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey addresses members of the press in the old post office building in Downtown St. Louis on Feb. 2, 2024. (Vanessa Abbitt/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Florida also banned federal monitors from polling stations in 2022. 

The DOJ declined to comment on the suit in response to Fox News Digital on Monday. 

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The City of St. Louis’ Board of Elections previously struck an agreement in 2021 to allow DOJ officials to monitor polling places, including on Election Day. 

“Rather than contaminate the process – like in Virginia and Alabama, the DOJ should consider the Show-Me State as the example for other states when it comes to sound non-partisan elections,” Ashcroft continued. “It would be highly inappropriate for federal agents to violate the law by intimidating Missouri voters and harassing poll workers.”

YOUNGKIN HITS BACK AT DOJ SUIT OVER ‘COMMON SENSE’ LAW THAT CULLS NONCITIZENS FROM VOTER ROLLS

Attorney General Merrick Garland addresses staff on his first day at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on March 11, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/AFP via Getty Images)

“The secretary of state’s office has full confidence in our election authorities. Voting has been underway for several weeks and we are ready for Election Day. I want to personally thank all 116 local election authorities and the thousands of poll workers across Missouri who make our elections safe, secure and credible.”

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Missouri is expected to again vote for the Republican ticket during the general election after previously voting for former President Trump by 15 points in 2020 and nearly 19 points in 2016. 

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

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Detroit, MI

How many division wins will the Detroit Lions tally in 2026?

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How many division wins will the Detroit Lions tally in 2026?


Every year, the NFL schedule bring upon something new for the Detroit Lions. This year, it’s a trip to Germany, a rare “Sunday Night Football” game at Carolina, and an early bye week. Oh wait, scratch that last one. It happens all that time.

Another constant on the Lions’ schedule is their divisional opponents. Like every other team, Detroit’s six divisional games make up over a third of their entire schedule. That means Detroit’s record within the NFC North will likely be crucial toward their regular season success. And with all three of their road divisional games crammed into the final four weeks of the season, how Detroit fares in those contests will almost certainly decide where they land in the postseason picture.

Last year, Detroit was swept by both the Vikings and Packers, and even though they ended up sweeping the division-winning Chicago Bears, it wasn’t enough to punch their ticket to the playoffs. So today’s Question of the Day is:

How many division wins will the Lions pick up on their 2026 schedule?

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My answer: I’m going with three.

First off, let’s get this straight. There is no universe where getting swept by the Vikings again in 2026 is acceptable. I understand their defense is a very tough matchup for an offense-heavy team like the Lions, but Minnesota’s roster just doesn’t compare to the rest of the division right now—especially with the questions at quarterback. Because the Vikings still always play the Lions tough, I’ll give them a split of the series.

And I’m going to be boring with the other two teams, too. I expect a split with each series. I think Ben Johnson will have a chip on his shoulder after getting swept by Dan Campbell last year and find a way to win one of those games. And while I’m really tempted to predict a sweep of the Packers, I’m just having a hard time seeing it given how well they tend to play against Detroit. The Lions will have the benefit of the bye week going into their first matchup, but a Week 18 game in Lambeau will be tough, even if the Lions managed to beat them in that exact scenario during the 2022 season.

How many division wins do you think the Lions pick up this year? Vote in the poll below and share your reasoning in the comment section.



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Milwaukee, WI

How much money do I need to retire in Wisconsin? Here’s what a new study found

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How much money do I need to retire in Wisconsin? Here’s what a new study found


Where you live can have a significant impact on how much money you need saved for retirement. And according to a new study, Wisconsin ranks near the middle of the pack in terms of the most and least expensive states for retirees.

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Big picture view:

MoneyLion, a consumer finance app and marketplace, examined how much money Americans would need to save each month to retire comfortably in each state. The study weighed factors such as average retiree household expenses, Social Security income and the age at which a person started saving for retirement.

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The study’s full methodology can be found on MoneyLion’s website.

What they’re saying:

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Ted Jenkin, managing partner at Exit Wealth Advisors, told FOX Business that state income taxes and real estate property taxes are two of the biggest expenses that retirees need to look at. Thomas Aiello, National Taxpayers Union vice president of federal affairs, added that taxes are a reason some retirees may move to places like Florida, Texas and Tennessee – which offer no sate income tax or “death” tax.

How much in Wisconsin?

Local perspective:

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Wisconsin ranked No. 28 in MoneyLion’s study, which determined someone would need to save $1,096,140 to retire comfortably at age 65. That’s based on a $54,807 average annual cost of retirement over 20 years.

To hit that number, MoneyLion said someone would need to start saving $2,030 per month at age 20 or $2,610 per month starting at age 30.

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By the numbers:

MoneyLion’s study also determined the following savings needed to retire comfortably at age 65 (as well as the average annual cost of retirement over 20 years) in neighboring states:

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  • Minnesota, No. 25: $1,162,628 ($58,131)
  • Illinois, No. 34: $1,003,326 ($50,166)
  • Michigan, No. 42: $868,526 ($43,426)
  • Iowa, No. 43: $821,180 ($41,059)

Hawaii was the most expensive state for retirees, with $3,132,206 needed to retire comfortably at age 65. The most affordable state in the study was West Virginia, with $664,463 needed to retire comfortably at age 65.

The Source: Information in this story is from the MoneyLion study, which referenced data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources. LiveNOW from FOX and FOX Business contributed to this report.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis mayor, city staff defy community survey, pushback growing on council

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Minneapolis mayor, city staff defy community survey, pushback growing on council


The mayor of Minneapolis and his staff are defying a community survey by recommending a group to develop a site at George Floyd Square that did not receive the most support in that survey.

It still received positive feedback, and the city council will have final say, but for now, Mayor Jacob Frey and city staff feel that the Minnesota Agape Movement is best suited to handle future development of the former gas station at 38th and Chicago, now known as The Peoples’ Way. 

But according to a survey of community stakeholders, the group Rise & Remember garnered the most strongly positive reactions overall. 

Since the city shared this development, the mayor’s office has declined multiple interview requests, as we try to learn his reasoning. We also had other questions about what seems like a contradiction in how he’s felt about community being involved in this process so far.

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Minneapolis City Council overrides mayor’s veto of George Floyd Square pedestrian mall study

For example, following a city council override of his veto as they pushed for a 38th & Chicago plan that community surveying found was not wanted in February 2025, the mayor lashed out at council members. 

“Today’s short-sighted decision by the council has ignored community wishes and is a colossal waste of both time and money,” Mayor Frey said that February day last year.

As we continued to try to get clarity surrounding the mayor’s decision to move forward with Agape, a city spokesperson shared the following:

City staff has taken community input, including the survey results, into consideration for this Peoples’ Way recommendation. Community input was one of multiple factors, such as relevant experience, we considered for the evaluation criteria outlined in the RFQ. One of the things we heard from community was a desire for the applicants to collaborate on a project since they all bring strengths to the table. Agape is ready and willing to collaborate with all stakeholders and community in a development process.

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Within the city’s announcement about the recommendation, the mayor shared the following:

George Floyd Square carries significant meaning for Minneapolis and for people around the world,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “We’re looking forward to partnering with Agape and the community as we take this next step together to continue building toward the long-term vision for the Square.

This development is already getting council pushback — members will have final say and the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee will first address it on June 2, with plans for the full council to June 11. 

Council member Jason Chavez, whose ward includes part of George Floyd Square, sent the following statement:

Mayor Frey promised a decision on the future of the People’s Way in May 2025 and instead took an extra year to make a decision. He also chose to disregard the data and the community’s preference.

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I have concerns about fairness, transparency, and accountability about the entire process. The results of the city-commissioned survey showed that the Rise and Remember proposal received the most support, was most closely aligned with community values, and received the most strongly positive reactions overall. Mayor Frey sat on the results of this survey for over a year.

In an interview with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, council member Soren Stevenson, whose ward also partly falls in George Floyd Square, says his community is ready to move forward and has frustrations with how things have been handled thus far.

“There was such an opportunity to listen to what the community had asked for, and we’re not there,” Stevenson said about this most recent development.

“It’s been, it’s been really confusing and troubling for community members to understand, like, am I giving you my feedback because you want it and you’re going to use it, or am I giving you my feedback, so that you can check the box that feedback has been gotten?” Stevenson added. 

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