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Mike Johnson refuses to answer whether IVF procedures that destroy embryos are murder
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson refused to answer whether the willful termination of embryos during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures is murder.
John was asked to clarify his position in an interview with “CBS Mornings” on Thursday amid growing dissonance between Republicans’ pro-life stance and stated support for IVF procedures that intentionally terminate fertilized embryos.
“In the process, [embryos] are destroyed and disposed of,” interviewer Tony Dokoupil said to the House Speaker. “If you believe life begins at conception, fertilization — and I know you do — do you see that as murder?”
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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was unable to say whether in vitro fertilization procedures
Despite his past vehemently pro-life statements, Johnson wavered on the question, saying that not enough was known about IVF to comment.
“It’s something that we’ve got to grapple with,” Johnson replied. “It’s a brave new world. IVF’s only been invented I think in the early ’70s.”
He added, “We support the sanctity of life, of course, and we support IVF and full access to it.”
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A container with frozen embryos and sperm stored in liquid nitrogen is removed at a fertility clinic in Fort Myers, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Republicans have been uncomfortable standing by their pro-life rhetoric after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that the destruction of an embryo is murder due to the personhood of unborn children.
IVF procedures almost universally involve the artifical fertilization and freezing of multiple embryos. Those that are deemed undesirable or end up unwanted are then discarded or destroyed. Approximately 2.3% of births in the U.S. are a result of IVF.
“Unborn children are ‘children’ … without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics,” Justice Jay Mitchell wrote in the ruling.
A medical director at Huntsville Reproductive Medicine, P.C., looks on as a nurse practitioner opens an IVF cryopreservation dewar in Madison, Alabama. (Reuters)
The state’s legislature quickly sprung into action to protect IVF. Several clinics conducting IVF shut down their procedures after the court’s decision, but once the state passed a law releasing them from liability, some of the centers began to reopen.
In the aftermath, many GOP leaders have done a 180-degree turn on their own position that life begins at conception, arguing that IVF is fundamentally different from abortion despite the intentional destruction of embryos post-conception.
So far, no GOP party leader or lawmaker has attempted to articulate a logical justification for supporting IVF while simultaneously professing a belief that life begins at conception and must be protected.
Fox News Digital’s Julia Johnson contributed to this report.
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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)
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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Southeast
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.
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.
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)
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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Southeast
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)
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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