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‘Beloved’ UNC-Chapel Hill shooting victim Zijie Yan was father of 2: report

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‘Beloved’ UNC-Chapel Hill shooting victim Zijie Yan was father of 2: report

The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill associate professor who was fatally shot Monday on campus was a father, according to local and global reports.

Graduate student Tailei Qi – one of two people in victim Zijie Yan’s research group in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences – allegedly murdered Yan in a lab on campus with a 9 mm pistol Monday afternoon, prompting a lockdown on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus as students began their first week of classes.

Yan “was a beloved colleague, mentor and friend to many on our campus,” UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said in a Tuesday statement.

“My leadership team and I have met with his colleagues and family to express our condolences on behalf of our campus. Please join me in thinking and praying for his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Guskiewicz said.

UNC-CHAPEL HILL SHOOTING SUSPECT TAILEI QI APPEARS IN COURT FOR FIRST TIME

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UNC-Chapel Hill associate professor Zijie Yan “was a beloved colleague, mentor and friend to many on our campus,” Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said in a Tuesday statement. (UNC-Chapel Hill)

Yan lived in the North Carolina town of Apex, well known for its safety, with his two young children, according to The News and Observer in Raleigh.

He and Qi were researching “optical approaches to precisely manipulate nanoscopic objects and create artificial material assemblies with emergent properties,” according to Yan’s research synopsis on UNC’s website.

UNC-CHAPEL HILL FACULTY MURDER: WHO IS SUSPECT TAILEI QI?

Yan was originally from Jingmen, Hubei Province in Central China, and began his education at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China before coming to the United States to study and work at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the University of Chicago, Clarkson University and then Chapel Hill, according to his LinkedIn profile.

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Tailei Qi, the graduate student suspected in the fatal shooting of a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faculty member, makes his first appearance at the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough, N.C., Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.

Tailei Qi has been charged with first-degree murder and possession of a weapon on educational property. (Hannah Schoenbaum/AP)

Qi, 34, also grew up in China – specifically in Dasha Village, Jufan Township, Fengqiu County – one of the country’s poorer regions, according to Chinese media. The suspect reportedly has a younger brother, and his parents were farmers.

Qi and his brother’s college entry exam scores were apparently among the top five in Fengqiu County. ChinaNews.com previously described the brothers as “models of the village.”

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The outlet describes the brothers as shy and said they shared a simple bedroom with two beds, two desks, and an electric fan hanging on a wooden stick. Qi told the outlet that his favorite hobby was going to the bookstore.

Tailei Qi, the graduate student suspected in the fatal shooting of a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faculty member, makes his first appearance at the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough, N.C., Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.

Tailei Qi reportedly grew up in one of the poorer regions of China. (Hannah Schoenbaum)

The family also told ChinaNews.com that despite the brothers’ impressive test scores, they could not afford college tuition and planned to work part-time as tutors to save money.

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Qi eventually went on to graduate from Wuhan University and then moved to the United States to attend Louisiana State University, where he received his master’s in materials science and engineering. The suspect began studying at Chapel Hill in January 2022.

Chinese media reported on Monday that both of Qi’s parents had died within the last three years, and he reportedly did not return from the United States for their funerals. A source familiar with Qi’s family described him as “normal” to Baidu Baike.

Tailei Qi mugshot

An Orange County judge denied bond for Tailei Qi and set a probable cause hearing for Sept. 18. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)

The suspect, who is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a gun on educational property, appeared in an orange jumpsuit in an Orange County courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, a day after the shooting.

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An Orange County judge denied bond for Qi and set a probable cause hearing for Sept. 18.

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Authorities have not said if the suspect specifically targeted Yan and have not revealed a motive behind the killing. No other injuries were reported.

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Trump chats up Obama while Clintons, Harris, ignore president-elect at Jimmy Carter funeral

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Trump chats up Obama while Clintons, Harris, ignore president-elect at Jimmy Carter funeral

President-elect Trump and future first lady Melania Trump paid their respects to former President Jimmy Carter at his funeral in Woodley Park, Washington, D.C., on Thursday, where Trump and one of his most prominent political foes appeared to put politics aside.

Seated at the end of the second row of presidential and vice presidential families, Trump and former President Barack Obama shared several minutes of chatting and chuckling as the rest filed in.

Dressed in a dark suit and more subtle blue tie, versus his trademark red “Trump tie,” Trump filed in a little before 10 a.m. ET.

As he entered his row, former Vice President Al Gore smiled and quickly stood up and was the first to greet him. 

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Former Vice President Al Gore rises to greet President-elect Trump. (FOX Business)

Gore, a Tennessee Democrat, did not have a significant other with him at the ceremony. He has been separated from former second lady Tipper Gore since 2010. 

Notably absent were former Vice President Dick Cheney and former second lady Lynne Cheney. Trump has notably clashed with his fellow Republican leader, and Cheney notably called him a “coward” during his daughter’s (ex-Rep. Liz Cheney) doomed 2022 re-election bid in Wyoming.

As Trump entered his row, he shared a brief moment with his one-time ally and running mate, former Vice President Mike Pence. The two men’s relationship soured following the Capitol Riot on Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of Trump threatened to hang the Indiana Republican.

JIMMY CARTER DEAD AT 100

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Obama laughing, left, as Trump talks with him

Former President Barack Obama, left, and President-elect Trump share a laugh at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. (FOX Business)

It was unclear what Pence said to Trump, but a rough reading of his lips appeared to say “good to see you.” 

Former second lady Karen Pence notably remained seated and did not engage when her husband and Gore stood to greet Trump.

After the Trumps were seated, Obama arrived without his wife Michelle Obama by his side. Obama paused to share a quick jovial comment with former Vice President Dan Quayle. 

Quayle — the first of the two Indiana Republican vice presidents of this generation — was seated on the aisle with former second lady Marilyn Quayle, who also sat next to Gore.

Soon after, former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush arrived.

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Bush appeared to receive the largest greeting of the living presidents assembled.

George W. Bush and Al Gore talking

Former Vice President Mike Pence, former second lady Karen Pence and former Vice President Al Gore reach out to greet former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush. (FOX Business)

The Pences, Gore and the Quayles reached over to greet Bush. Meanwhile, Obama and Trump could be seen continuing their conversation unimpeded.

When former President Bill Clinton and 2016 presidential runner-up Hillary Clinton arrived, Trump and Obama largely ignored them as they chatted.

Trump and Obama seated behind VP Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris catches former President Barack Obama and President-elect Trump chatting. (FOX Business)

Former President Bush appeared to be the first to stand up when Hillary Clinton took her seat. Former President Clinton, who was recently hospitalized, appeared lively and healthy at the funeral.

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Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff arrived next.

Trump did not visibly acknowledge Harris, nor Harris to him. 

Emhoff looked straight ahead as Harris briefly looked over her shoulder and appeared to grimace when she saw Obama conversing with Trump.

Joe Biden closeup at funeral

President Biden wipes his brow after he takes a seat at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral. (FOX Business)

Emhoff and Harris shared a brief smile before focusing on the somber event once more, as the Clintons could be seen reading through their programs.

When President Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrived, Trump and Obama did not appear to greet them, as Trump soon began chatting with Melania.

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Joe Biden in front row, former presidents behind him

Assembled presidential mourners. (FOX Business)

Jill Biden sat first, taking President Biden’s program off of his chair so he, too, could sit.

President Biden appeared to wipe a mark from his pant leg and lightly brushed his brow before looking straight ahead. None of the other families appeared to greet the Bidens.

Screenshots posted to X also showed outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau watching Trump as the president-elect filed in.

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Federal judge strikes down Biden admin's Title IX rewrite

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Federal judge strikes down Biden admin's Title IX rewrite

A federal judge in Kentucky blocked the Biden administration’s attempt to redefine sex in Title IX as “gender identity,” striking down the change nationwide.

The U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky Northern Division made the ruling in Cardona v. Tennessee on Thursday.

Transgender flag and split with track finish line. (Getty Images)

“Another massive win for TN and the country!” Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a post on X. “This morning, a federal court ruled in our favor and vacated the Biden admin’s radical new Title IX rule nationwide.

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“The court’s order is resounding victory for the protection of girls’ privacy in locker rooms and showers, and for the freedom to speak biologically-accurate pronouns.”

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., released a statement on the ruling.

“It is clear the Biden-Harris administration completely lost its way on Title IX. They betrayed the original intent of Title IX by removing longstanding protections that ensured fairness for women and girls. Good to see this harmful regulation overturned,” he said. “With President Trump and a Republican majority in Congress, we will ensure women and girls have every opportunity to succeed on the field and in the classroom.”

The ruling came months after the Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration’s emergency request to enforce portions of a new rule that would have included protections from discrimination for transgender students under Title IX.

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The sweeping rule was issued in April and clarified that Title IX’s ban on “sex” discrimination in schools covers discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation and “pregnancy or related conditions.”

The rule took effect Aug. 1, and, for the first time, the law stated that discrimination based on sex includes conduct related to a person’s gender identity.

UPenn athlete Lia Thomas at nationals

University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, left, and Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines react after finishing tied for 5th in the 200 Freestyle finals at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 18, 2022 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It led to more than two dozen attorneys general suing over the rule, arguing it would conflict with some of their state laws that block transgender students from participating in women’s sports.

“When Title IX is viewed in its entirety, it is abundantly clear that discrimination on the basis of sex means discrimination on the basis of being a male or female,” the court’s opinion read. “As this Court and others have explained, expanding the meaning of ‘on the basis of sex’ to include ‘gender identity’ turns Title IX on its head.

“While Title IX sought to level the playing field between men and women, it is rife with exceptions that allow males and females to be separated based on the enduring physical differences between the sexes.”

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Kristen Waggoner, president, CEO and general Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, said in a statement the ruling was a “colossal win for women and girls” in the U.S.

“The Biden administration’s radical attempt to redefine sex not only tossed fairness, safety, and privacy for female students out the window, it also threatened free speech and parental rights,” she added. “With this ruling, the federal court in Kentucky rejected the entire Biden rule and the administration’s illegal actions. We are thankful for the leadership of Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and other state attorneys general who challenged this blatant overreach alongside our courageous clients. 

“This ruling provides enormous relief for students across the country, including our client who has already suffered harassment by a male student in the locker room and on her sports team. The U.S. Supreme Court can further protect girls like our client by granting cases brought by the ACLU against West Virginia and Idaho laws that protect women’s sports.”

The decision came as Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., is set to push the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act to the Senate Floor.

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A procedural vote on it will happen on Friday.

Fox News’ Julia Johnson and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.



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Laken Riley Act roils NJ governor’s race as 2 Dems skip roll: ‘The more someone campaigns the less they vote'

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Laken Riley Act roils NJ governor’s race as 2 Dems skip roll: ‘The more someone campaigns the less they vote'

Two Democrats in the 2025 race to succeed term-limited New Jersey Gov. Philip Murphy did not cast votes this week in Congress on the Laken Riley Act, leading them to be lambasted by gubernatorial candidates from both parties.

The House Clerk’s office recorded Reps. Mikie Sherrill of Essex and Josh Gottheimer of Bergen County recorded as “not voting” on the landmark bill, which would require illegal immigrants convicted of theft-related crimes be detained by municipal and state authorities.

The bill takes its name from a young woman murdered by an illegal immigrant in Georgia who had been previously arrested and released on lesser charges.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop exclaimed, “This is cowardly,” in an X post.

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Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Rep Josh Gottheimer (Getty)

“We lose elections when we don’t have any core convictions… when we can’t explain why we have a view and why we believe in it. Hiding is not an answer that wins elections,” the Democrat said.

“Mikie and Josh are the same again – If you don’t have the courage to vote for a bill then what does that say about your courage to lead as Governor?” Fulop added.

Meanwhile, former Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli slammed the two lawmakers from their right.

“Shame on [Josh and Mikie] for gutlessly ducking a vote on the Laken Riley Act today,” said Ciattarelli.

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On X, Ciattarelli said Riley “fought till her last breath against a murderous illegal immigrant, but Josh/Mikie didn’t have the courage to stand up to their extreme far left base.”

Ciattarelli ran against Murphy in 2021 and nearly defeated him by Garden State standards, losing by less than three points. In November, President-elect Trump only lost the state by four points, leading the GOP to signal their optimism about flipping Trenton red this fall.

When the bill last came up for a vote, Gottheimer voted “yea,” and a spokesman told the Philadelphia Inquirer he would have supported the bill this week if he had voted.

New Jersey’s three Republican congressmen – Reps. Christopher Smith, Jeff Van Drew and Tom Kean Jr. – all voted for the Laken Riley Act.

Democratic Reps. Nellie Pou, Frank Pallone, Herbert Conaway, LaMonica McIver, Donald Norcross and Rob Menendez Jr. all voted against it.

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Republican Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia – who is not running for governor – torched the pair on Wednesday with a quip:

“The Road to Drumthwacket is paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t make a decision,” she said, referring to the historic governor’s mansion near Princeton.

State Sen. Jon Bramnick, a GOP gubernatorial candidate, told Fox News Digital on Thursday that a lawmaker’s first responsibility is to their constituents, not their next campaign.

“I think you have to have campaign activities come secondary to your responsibility,” Bramnick said when asked about Gottheimer’s and Sherrill’s non-votes.

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“The key question is – if you’re going to run – campaign activities must be secondary to your voting,” adding that systemically it seems “the more [someone] campaigns the less they vote.”

Bramnick, who is also an attorney in Plainfield, added that he couldn’t assume what was on the two Democrats’ minds in terms of their vote, but that immigration is a hot issue and often difficult to navigate.

State Sen. Jon Bramnick recently spoke out about drone sightings in New Jersey.

State Sen. Jon Bramnick recently spoke out about drone sightings in New Jersey. (Bobby Bank/Getty Images | Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)

With the Laken Riley Act scoring 48 Democratic “yea’s,” Bramnick said immigration is a bipartisan issue.

If elected governor, he said he would “follow the law” when asked how he would approach President-elect Trump or border czar-designate Tom Homan.

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“Unfortunately, the Congress hasn’t done anything to [create] a path to citizenship for people who may have an opportunity to stay here,” he said, discussing those who have lived in the U.S. for many years as otherwise law-abiding members of their communities.

“If America doesn’t like the law, change it,  but state-by-state shouldn’t change the law based on how they feel on the issue.”

Sherrill and Gottheimer did not immediately respond to inquiries made via their campaigns.

Another Democrat in the race, Ras Baraka – mayor of the state’s largest city, Newark – also did not respond.

Baraka, however, separately indicated he would have voted against the Laken Riley Act if he were in Congress.

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