THE NEWS

Pennies Have Been Abandoned, Now What Will Be Done With Nickels?

Authored by Adam Dick via RPI

The United States government minted its final penny in November of 2025. This came after fiat money inflation succeeded in depriving pennies of nearly all their value. Pennies are still circulating, but it is increasingly common for stores to round cost totals to avoid giving pennies in change.

Also, people seeing that the metal content of their pennies is worth more than the face value are deciding that it is better to store pennies in a jar than to spend them.
file image via APMEX

The same issues that caused the US government to give up on pennies may soon encourage it to make a major change in regard to nickels.

In an August of 2025 article, I noted that each nickel valued at five cents was costing almost 14 cents to produce. What would the government do in regard to nickels? I suggested two likely options:

The writing seems to be on the wall for nickels. As their metallic value and production costs further and further exceed their face value, there will be more pressure to make changes in nickels’ composition to significantly reduce their cost of production.

Alternatively, the government may, as is being done with the penny, just stop making new nickels.

With penny production ended, it looks like nickel production may soon have a shakeup as well, though one that could buy nickels some time.

Two different versions of the Common Cents Act passed this summer, one in the United States House of Representatives (HR 3074) and the other in the Senate (S 1525).

Both legislative bodies will need to agree on the same bill before it can be sent on to the president for consideration.

Something the two bills have in common is permitting changing the composition of nickels from 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel to portions to be determined of zinc inside and nickel outside.

The bills specify the composition change must reduce the cost of production of the coins and, “to the greatest extent practicable” have “a minimal adverse impact on machines designed to accept coins.”

Such a change for nickels would mirror what happened in the early 1980s with pennies, when newly minted pennies started being 97.5 percent zinc instead of the prior 95 percent copper. The resulting cost savings helped keep penny production going for over forty more years.

Will the US government keep minting nickels for another 40-plus years, or will inflation be so strong that the government much sooner sends the nickel off to the same fate the penny met last year?

Tyler Durden
Fri, 08/21/2026 – 06:30

Alex Palou may not be from the United States, but his trip to the White House and seeing the Oval Office is something he hopes to tell his grandchildren about some day.Palou and other NTT INDYCAR SERIES stars will make history this weekend in Washington, D.C., as the first-ever auto race around the National Mall will take place. A 1.7-mile circuit, which involves driving down Pennsylvania Avenue and seeing tons of national landmarks, will make up the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.Before the race takes place, Palou and other drivers including Pato O’Ward and Graham Rahal took time to answer questions on Thursday. Palou was among those who were able to visit President Donald Trump in the White House in July ahead of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMPalou, who hails from Spain, was asked about his experience, and he knew the right word to describe it.”Incredible,” he responded. “Honestly, that’s the only word that comes to mind. I remember the visit we did a month ago when I got invited to the White House. I was like, ‘Really? For real?’ I was going to be able to go inside and just see how the Oval Office is, and just knowing the history that it has.RACER STING RAY ROBB GEARS UP FOR FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX: ‘THIS IS MORE THAN JUST AN INDYCAR EVENT'”I know I’m not from this country, but this country has given me so much. Just the opportunity to be here as an IndyCar driver, a winner, a champion, and to create a family and build a family here in the U.S. It’s been incredible.”Palou even had a moment where he got sprayed with the president’s cologne.”Just being able to be with the President and his team, being at the Oval Office. We got sprayed with Presidential cologne, which was pretty funny,” he said. “Just an incredible experience. An experience I’ll be able to tell not only my kids, but hopefully one day my grandkids and stuff.”Palou said he grew up watching movies where he was fascinated by the Oval Office being on his screen. He also remembered seeing Capitol Hill while watching as well.The fact that he’s not only seen these places up close and personal, but he’s racing by the landmarks, is something he’s really looking forward to.”To know that we’re going to be racing around it — it’s going to be incredible,” he added.Palou, 29, is the sport’s top driver, as he’s very likely to win his fifth season championship in a month, and fourth straight. In fact, he’s won at least one of every four IndyCar races over the past six seasons.Only Sebastien Bourdais was able to win four straight season championships from 2004-07. Palou’s 542 points has created a staggering gap between the closest driver, Kyle Kirkwood, who has 409 points.In his 14 starts this season, Palou has six wins, 11 top-five finishes and 12 top-10 finishes.But while everyone will be excited to watch him race around the National Mall this weekend, he’s excited for the rest of his peers to experience it together.”Super excited like everyone to go out on the track and see how it’s going to race. It looks really, really promising with so many laps we’re going to do. It’s going to be a super interesting race with lots of changes on strategies with leads and stuff. I can’t wait to go out,” he said.

Test your news knowledge with this week’s Fox News Digital News Quiz, featuring the bombshell investment totals from a New Jersey Democratic senate candidate, an NFL rookie’s decision to leave to star in this film franchise and more.Looking for another challenge?The Wisconsin Democratic governor’s primary and President Donald Trump’s reported Turkey departure were featured in last week’s News Quiz.Test your knowledge of summer splurges, basketball brilliance and more in this week’s American Culture Quiz.If you’re looking to play even more, you can find all of our quizzes by clicking here.Check back next week for the latest News Quiz from Fox News Digital. Thanks for playing!

As more diners end 24-hour service, a handful have managed to keep the tradition alive, keeping their lights and griddles on around the clock.The original Red Arrow Diner opened its doors in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1922. Over the decades, the business expanded, changed ownership and moved locations.Currently, the historic diner is the flagship of four Red Arrow Diners in the state, co-owned by Amanda Wihby and George Lawrence.RETRO PIZZA HUT DRAWS CUSTOMERS FROM HOURS AWAY AS 1980S NOSTALGIA SENDS SALES SOARINGAll four restaurants are open 24/7. During the overnight hours, between midnight and 5 a.m., the diners attract a mixed crowd, Wihby said.”It could just be a regular who has nowhere else to go and wants to come in for a warm cup of coffee and a smile and maybe sit back and watch some of the entertainment that happens,” she said.”You have your first responders and people coming off [the] third shift, travelers, and, of course, there are the people who are coming out of the bars. … It’s important for us to be here for them. And now that it’s becoming a rare thing to be [open] 24 hours for diners, I feel like it just makes the Red Arrow that [much more] special.”Yelp data released in 2025 showed that 24/7 restaurants are experiencing upheaval nationwide. The number of restaurants offering 24-hour service in the U.S. fell 11% between January 2020 and January 2025.In Los Angeles, 29% of all-night restaurants closed, while Las Vegas saw 9% disappear, according to Yelp.DISCONTINUED CRACKER BARREL FOODS THAT FANS ARE BEGGING TO GET BACK”A handful of cities are defying this downward trend,” Yelp reported, citing increases in places like Baltimore (14%), Salt Lake City, Utah (25%) and Key West, Florida (33%).Labor shortages and changing customer behavior – including younger Americans choosing to drink less – have put a damper on the demand for a late-night meal, Yelp reported.Cultural and economic challenges, including the pandemic’s lasting effects on sit-down restaurants and the role of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs in people’s eating habits, also play a part in the decline of 24/7 food service, Food & Wine reported.Surveys also show that affordability concerns are prompting Americans to cut back on restaurant spending. Restaurant labor costs are also “well above historical averages,” 2026 data from the National Restaurant Association showed.Nevertheless, the diner has always been “the focal part of the community,” Wihby said. During the pandemic, the owners had to close three of the four Red Arrow locations during the third shift.”When the governor closed us down, we didn’t have keys,” Wihby recalled. “We had never closed the restaurants, so we were struggling to find the keys to lock the door.”TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZIt took the owners a few years after the pandemic to get all four restaurants back to 24/7 service, but all locations are now open all day and night and are prospering, they said.Navigating the pressures of inflation and societal changes is what Wihby said she and Lawrence do daily.”We sit and find solutions and troubleshoot and find a way to squeeze out the bottom line wherever we can, but not by cutting our quality,” Wihby said.Wihby credits Red Arrow’s employees and the diners’ “very loyal vendors” with helping them succeed.One of the general managers, for instance, started with the business washing dishes as a teenager, worked his way up to a cook “and now he’s got a family with kids, and he’s running our Londonderry location,” Wihby said.Several other employees have also worked at the diners for more than 10 years.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER”We are blessed to have the best employees in the business,” Wihby said. “They know customers either by name or what they eat. Someone will walk in and they’re like, ‘Oh, there’s a chicken-fried steak and sausage gravy,’ instead of their name. They banter with the customers and create memories. And that’s why people keep coming back.”One famous regular was Hollywood star Adam Sandler’s father, Stan, who ate at the diner every Sunday. His regular order – eggs and bacon, panfries and toast – is on the Red Arrow menu as “Stan the Man,” named in his memory.”During election time, most presidents [have come] in,” Lawrence said. “That was very exciting.”The diner is a famous stop for presidential candidates. President Donald Trump visited the diner in 2023 after a campaign rally.CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWSIt has endured by serving consistently good food at reasonable prices and offering a welcoming environment, Wihby and Lawrence said.”I could be sitting here next to the governor on one side and maybe a nurse or someone in construction on the other side,” Wihby said.”We cater to all walks of life. There is a seat for everybody at the counter. And what’s more American than that? I think that tradition is important, and I think it’ll stay alive.”

I really wanted the column to run. I didn’t think it would, but I felt obligated to try to get it in.Toward the end of last month, before the Seattle Storm hosted the Indiana Fever, I spoke to people attending a rally in support of Sophie Cunningham outside Climate Pledge Arena. The Fever guard had recently taken a stance against biological males competing in women’s/girls sports, and a few dozen folks showed up to express their gratitude for her position.ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!One of them was 16-year-old Ahnaleigh Wilson, who’d lost to a biological male in a track and field race in eighth grade and was holding a sign reading “Thank You Sophie for Speaking up for Girls!”I didn’t know if I was going to write something at that point, but after she allegedly got cussed out by a Storm co-owner during the game, I felt like I had to weigh in.One thing Wilson emphasized to me at the rally was that she wasn’t anti-trans. Another student-athlete named Frances Staudt — who said she’s endured daily verbal abuse after refusing to play against a biological boy in a basketball game — echoed Wilson’s sentiment.So that was the thesis of my column (which you can read here) — that supporting the separation of biological females and males doesn’t automatically make you transphobic, so let’s stop throwing those labels around.I sent a draft after talking to my editor the morning of Friday, July 31, telling him there was no rush to run it. He told me later that day that he and others were looking at it, but that it wouldn’t be ready for Sunday’s paper. Monday night, I got an email saying that his boss was hoping to talk to the top two newsroom editors about it on Wednesday. No feedback had been given to me. Thursday afternoon, my editor informed me that it wasn’t going to run because I didn’t tell him I was doing this in advance. I didn’t buy this reasoning. If that were the case, the piece would have been killed on the spot, not passed through the hands of multiple editors over several days.SEATTLE TIMES COLUMNIST RESIGNS AFTER PAPER ALLEGEDLY REFUSED TO RUN ‘SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS’ COLUMNMy response? To resign on the spot.That may come off as an emotional decision, but it was exactly what I was prepared to do. This, after all, was one of several columns of mine that had been spiked at the Seattle Times.One was a piece questioning whether players for the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team were really the victims of discrimination in their equal-pay lawsuit. Another was a more general column on cancel culture in sports. The last, written shortly after George Floyd’s death, implored people to listen to state-champion basketball coach Mike Bethea — a black man urging the public not to stereotype cops. The common theme? All of these challenged prevailing newsroom narratives and likely would have triggered the outrage mob.I’ve always thought that it was a columnist’s duty to generate discussion on the most hot-button issues. To avoid such topics was to leave the reader shortchanged. I guess in the end, I just didn’t feel like I could do my job properly anymore.Right now, I’m in the tenuous position of trying to defend my resignation without sounding like a malcontent. So let me say — I’m very grateful for the 11 years I had at the Seattle Times. The talent there is immense, and the editors let me have a lot of fun with other stories. I also realize where the brass is coming from. The mob is frightening and does not forget. Lots of seemingly brave souls have submitted once activists got their hooks in them. If I had more people depending on me, perhaps I’d act similarly.SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWSBut in thinking about this decision, I kept going back to an Albus Dumbledore line: “We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.”To be honest, I’m scared shitless right now. I have no idea how the next few months or years are going to play out. But that fear beats the indignity of being muzzled.The plan for now is to keep writing in this space. Maybe that will spawn a new career, or maybe I’ll be a dental assistant in two years. I genuinely don’t know.All that’s certain is that I’m done holding back. The best things in life are free — speech being at the top of the list.This column was originally posted on Matt Calkins’ Substack.

Socialist Nithya Raman drew loud groans and hisses from a crowd of Democrats during the Los Angeles mayoral debate after she fumbled while explaining her decision to hire the political consulting firm behind disgraced former Senate candidate Graham Platner’s campaign.After winning the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maine, Platner, also a socialist, dropped out of the race in July after several sexual misconduct allegations. Even before the allegations arose, Platner had stirred significant controversy over his history of inflammatory statements and a chest tattoo critics say resembles a well-known Nazi symbol. Though he continues to deny the sexual misconduct allegations and maintains his innocence, Platner remains an embarrassment for many Democrats after several prominent figures in the party endorsed and praised him.Suggested Revision: During the debate Wednesday night, Raman, a Los Angeles City Council member and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Los Angeles chapter, faced questions over her decision to hire the consulting firm Fight Agency.”[It was] reported that you’ve hired the same political consulting firm that managed Graham Platner’s campaign in Maine, who had to resign amidst sexual assault allegations. Is that true? And is that the best choice? And why did you make that decision?” the moderator asked.KAREN BASS RIPPED AFTER VIRAL VIDEO LAYS OUT TAXPAYER-FUNDED MATCH OF CAMPAIGN DONATIONSRaman responded by saying, “Well, I did hire an advertising agency to make my paid ads, who also worked with Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s successful campaign.” At this, the crowd of several hundred people broke into loud moans as some hissed. Mamdani is another socialist politician backed by the DSA who won his race for New York City mayor last year.Raman pushed on, saying that the firm also worked on “many, many other successful campaigns across the entire city.””Here’s what I do want to say, that I do want to win this race,” she said, adding, “I’ve retained most of my good campaign staff … we’ve made sure to invest in our team, and I hope that we can win this seat, and I’m going to work as hard as I can to win.””Did you weigh the pros and cons of being associated with Graham Platner’s campaign?” the moderator pressed.”Absolutely. But we wanted to make sure that we were hiring good people to make our ads,” Raman responded.LA MAYORAL RACE HEADS TO NOVEMBER RUNOFF AS KAREN BASS FACES MAMDANI-STYLE SOCIALIST”We have to get talent to be able to run our team,” she said before briefly stumbling over her words and saying, “We we we we weighed the issues.”After this, Raman criticized incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, also a Democrat. She pointed to a recent case in which an advisor to Bass simultaneously did crisis communications work for a company facing scrutiny over a major Los Angeles warehouse fire, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest.”That, to me, is a real, real, real problem,” Raman said.After this, the moderator turned to Bass and asked, “That wasn’t a good look, was it?” Bass responded, “Absolutely not,” adding it “should not have happened.””However, I don’t know what the heck that has to do with the question that you asked her,” Bass told the moderator.”I guess it’s a question of judgment,” the moderator responded.SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER”Well, if I had known that person was doing that, that person would not have been advising me. When I realized it found out about it, they stopped advising me,” Bass said.Bass and Raman are running in a competitive race to be the next mayor of America’s second-largest city. Raman secured a spot on the November ballot after narrowly edging out Republican candidate Spencer Pratt in a late election surge.Fox News Digital reached out to Raman and Bass for additional comment. Fox News Digital also reached out to Platner, the DSA and Mamdani’s office for comment.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s reported return to Britain could mark the ultimate reversal of Megxit.Six years after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex walked away from royal life in pursuit of freedom, financial independence and a fresh start in America, royal experts told Fox News Digital their homecoming could expose the cracks in the life they set out to build. Back on royal turf, the Sussexes could also find themselves on a collision course with Prince William and Kate Middleton as old tensions threaten to resurface.”There is no way to spin a move back to Britain as anything other than a spectacular defeat for the entire premise of Megxit,” Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube’s “Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered,” told Fox News Digital.The reported homecoming undercuts the very message Harry and Meghan sent when they walked away from royal life six years ago, according to the royal expert.PRINCE HARRY LONGS FOR HIS OLD ROYAL LIFE AS AMERICA ISN’T WHAT HE EXPECTED, EXPERTS SAY”Harry set out to demonstrate that the monarchy needed him far more than he needed the monarchy. His return delivers precisely the opposite conclusion,” she said.”Remember what Megxit was supposed to represent. Freedom. Financial independence. Global influence. A dazzling new life without the constraints of the institution,” Schofield reminded. “They weren’t forced into exile. They chose this.”Schofield argued that after years of trying to build a life independent of the monarchy, returning to Britain only underscored how difficult it had been for the couple to escape its pull.”Perhaps the most humiliating part is that Harry and Meghan left Britain seemingly convinced the monarchy was an anchor around their ankles,” she said. “Six years later, it increasingly appears that the monarchy was the life raft.”KING CHARLES KEPT PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON IN THE DARK ABOUT SECRET HARRY AND MEGHAN REUNION: REPORTPrince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing to move back to the U.K., with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, expected to start school in Britain in September.But the couple won’t return to any semblance of the life they held before, according to one royal expert.”While Harry and Meghan are returning they are not regaining official royal roles,” British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. “Nor was there any agreement to a ‘half-in, half-out’ construct. They have thwarted by trying to do what they agreed to with Queen Elizabeth II.”PRINCE WILLIAM’S ABSENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES AS KING CHARLES REUNITES WITH PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE: EXPERTSIf a return to royal duties was off the table, Harry’s motivation for coming home could be far more personal.One royal expert wondered if Harry’s desire to spend more time with his father had shifted the prince’s priorities after feeling homesick for some time. But a return to Britain would put Harry and Meghan firmly back under the royal microscope, he warned, with both the public and the palace watching their every move.”In many ways, it’s going to be a game of chess. What is Harry’s next move? What is William’s next move? What is the King’s next move?” Grant Harrold, former butler to King Charles III who is speaking on behalf of CanadaCasino, told Fox News Digital. “But you couldn’t write this. It’s almost like a political drama, and it’s incredibly interesting because this is something we haven’t really seen before.””If it goes wrong, it could be catastrophic for the Royal Family,” he added. “But if it is handled correctly, perhaps this could be the beginning of something very different.”KATE MIDDLETON REFUSES TO PULL PRINCE WILLIAM BACK INTO PRINCE HARRY’S ‘CIRCUS’: EXPERTBut any hopes of a royal reset could hit a major roadblock with the Prince and Princess of Wales.”I don’t think William and Catherine will be pleased by the news and I don’t think this return signals a warming of relations between the brothers,” Harrold mused.Harrold wasn’t alone in pouring cold water on hopes of a family reconciliation.”Unfortunately, reconciliation doesn’t seem to be on the cards,” Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. “Is Harry and Meghan’s next rebrand in the UK one final grenade too many for the Monarchy.”GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HEREThe British broadcaster and photographer added, “It is clear that Harry and Meghan’s Freedom Flight and affairs in the US have not gone to plan, and it is viewed that they are returning to the UK with their tail between their legs. They need their Royal platform to give them credibility to sell their brand, so maybe it’s not extraordinary that the prodigal son and daughter-in-law are relocating to the UK.”Whatever the circumstances behind their return, another royal commentator warned the Sussexes could quickly reclaim the spotlight in Britain – potentially at William and Kate’s expense.”This is going to be a massive story in Britain and will overshadow William and Kate and their PR drive which will make William furious,” royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital.LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSTurner predicted Harry and Meghan’s return would unleash a media frenzy in Britain as the press scrambled to uncover where they planned to live, where their children would go to school and how the Sussexes would handle – and pay for – their security. He said the attention could also ignite a fresh battle for the spotlight between Harry and Meghan vs. William and Kate.”In my mind, it will be a head-on clash between the House of Wales and the House of Sussex on popularity stakes where King Charles and Camilla will stay well out of it, if they have any sense,” the royal expert added.PUT YOUR ENTERTAINMENT KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST AND SEE HOW YOU SCOREYet fighting for the spotlight could be the least of their problems, as questions swirled over how the Sussexes would actually pull off life in Britain.”Why would Harry not try and resume a royal role if he’s going to all the trouble of relocating? Why does anyone think Meghan could adjust to the pressures of living in the UK when she couldn’t before?” royal expert Christopher Andersen questioned.”Having her children hounded by Britain’s tabloid press would only make things that much worse,” the author of “Kate!” added. “Having the rest of the royal family looking over their shoulders would be a nightmare, especially for Meghan. Besides, Meghan is truly happy in Montecito. She’s a California girl through and through.”

“No concern.” “Pernicious nonsense.” “Spurious allegations.” A “frivolous, political exercise.”Those were among the defenses senior Democrats mounted on former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s behalf as former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tried to force the California Democrat off the powerful House Intelligence Committee over his relationship with suspected Chinese intelligence operative Christine ‘Fang Fang’ Fang. Now, newly declassified FBI records and a raid on his home are casting fresh light on Swalwell’s relationship with Fang Fang that Democrats denied and previously argued did not justify McCarthy’s actions.The newly declassified records, released by the White House Government Transparency Task Force Monday, detail two FBI interviews with Swalwell, both conducted as part of a broader investigation examining Fang Fang’s involvement with illicit campaign contributions, funneling interns to Swalwell’s office and other activity. DECLASSIFIED FBI DOCS REVEAL SWALWELL HAD SEX WITH ‘FANG FANG’ MULTIPLE TIMESMeanwhile, FBI agents seized Swalwell’s electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday night, while his Washington, D.C. residence was subsequently searched the following day, as part of a probe into sexual misconduct.”I sat in on that briefing. And when Kevin McCarthy misrepresents it and does that disservice to the American people, it’s shameful,” then-Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said in January 2023 as McCarthy blocked Swalwell from returning to the Intelligence Committee. Schiff, who had chaired the House Intelligence Committee, added that Swalwell had “served honorably” on the panel, had “never been accused of any kind of wrongdoing” and called McCarthy’s criticism a “patently unfair smear.””Mr. Speaker, I have rarely heard such pernicious nonsense as we heard from the minority leader a few minutes ago. He accused Mr. Swalwell of having a Chinese spy or Chinese agent in his campaign. I understand he has introduced a resolution to remove Mr. Swalwell from his committee for that purpose,” Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said during remarks from the House floor. “That is absurd. And I think Mr. McCarthy ought to be ashamed because he is an experienced campaigner—he knows this—for raising these spurious allegations.”SWALWELL RESIGNATION COLLIDES WITH CHINA-LINKED SCANDAL AS CRITICS DEMAND FILE RELEASEThe newly declassified files show for the first time publicly that the FBI’s concerns about Swalwell went beyond just the fact he had a romantic relationship with Fang Fang, which Swalwell admitted to in the interviews uncovered in the file. The declassified documents also showed agents had launched a full investigation tied to Fang Fang examining possible bribery, foreign campaign contributions and efforts to trade access to Swalwell and congressional internships for political donations.The records also show how the FBI viewed Fang as a significant counterintelligence concern, suspecting ties to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) and at one point attempting to recruit her as an FBI confidential source.PELOSI, CALIFORNIA DEMS SLAM SWALWELL OVER BOMBSHELL SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS: ‘INDEFENSIBLE’Investigators ultimately did not find evidence that Swalwell participated in a quid-pro-quo scheme or committed federal corruption violations, and he was removed as a subject of the investigation in 2017. Separately, the bipartisan House Ethics Committee closed its investigation into Swalwell’s interactions with Fang in May 2023 without taking further action against him.Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also publicly defended Swalwell as the controversy first erupted in December 2020, saying, “I don’t have any concern about Mr. Swalwell” when asked about whether increased security should be tied to positions of influence in Congress. Her office separately said Pelosi had “full confidence in Congressman Swalwell’s service in the Congress and on the Intelligence Committee.”PELOSI DISTANCES HERSELF FROM ALLY SWALWELL AMID SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONSPelosi and McCarthy later received a classified FBI briefing on the matter in December 2020. McCarthy emerged from the briefing saying Swalwell “should not be on Intel,” while Pelosi continued to back the California Democrat, who was later reappointed to the Intelligence Committee in March 2021.”The knowledge that I have of what transpired and the actions that he has done and the behavior, especially when he’s gone to other countries, I would be very leery of him in any position of that can have sensitive information,” McCarthy previously told Fox News Digital earlier this year. “The recklessness in which he lived his life, the reports that have come back, I think it would be hard for him to ever even be considered as a governor candidate, period.”Then-House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer likewise dismissed McCarthy’s effort to remove Swalwell as a “frivolous, political exercise” intended to “attack the reputation of an outstanding Member of Congress.” Hoyer also described the Republican push as a “spurious attempt.”SENATOR GALLEGO SAYS LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP WITH SWALWELL ‘CLOUDED MY JUDGMENT’ AS RUMORS SWIRLED IN DCAnd in January 2023, then-Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., went further in defending Swalwell, saying on CNN that “the FBI has clearly stated that Swalwell … has been cleared.” Gallego said Swalwell and Schiff “have not done anything incorrectly” and rejected the suggestion that they posed a national-security threat.Fox News Digital reached out to the top Democrats mentioned in this article, but did not hear back in time for publication.

Apple is putting one of its most serious security warnings somewhere you are far less likely to miss it: right on your iPhone Lock Screen. Apple confirmed directly to CyberGuy that it sent a new wave of threat notifications last week, saying, “We can confirm threat notifications were sent on August 13 to targeted users in 110 countries, and to date we have notified users in over 150 countries in total.”If one of these alerts suddenly appears on your iPhone, do not swipe it away and assume it is another routine security notice. Apple considers these high-confidence alerts that someone has specifically targeted you with unusually sophisticated spyware. Here’s what the warning means, how to verify it’s real and what to do next if Apple says you were targeted.APPLE PAY TEXT SCAM THREATENS $8,250 LOSS IN 35 MINUTESNew! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest ThreatsJoin us Saturday, August 29, at 10 AM ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward.Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com.Apple says it updated its threat notifications with a new user experience designed to make important information and recommended security steps easier for recipients to access. A threat notification can now appear directly on the iPhone Lock Screen and in Settings. Apple also sends an email to addresses associated with your Apple Account. In addition, a warning appears after you sign in at Apple’s account website.The Lock Screen message warns: “Apple detected a mercenary spyware attack targeted at your iPhone. There are actions you can take now to protect your data and device.” That wording is alarming for a reason. Apple says mercenary spyware attacks are far more sophisticated than the malware and scams most of us encounter. Attackers can spend extraordinary amounts of money targeting a very small number of people.The good news is that receiving a warning does not automatically mean the spyware successfully broke into your device. It means Apple detected activity indicating that you were individually targeted. Still, this isn’t an alert I would ignore.Most iPhone owners will probably never encounter one of these warnings. Apple says these attacks have historically targeted people because of who they are or what they do. Past targets have included journalists, activists, politicians and diplomats. The attacks have also been linked through public research and reporting to state actors and private companies that develop surveillance tools on their behalf.Apple does not identify a specific attacker or country when it sends a notification. The company says revealing too much about how it detects these campaigns could help spyware operators change their methods.This part is especially important because you can bet scammers will try to copy these warnings. A fake alert could claim your iPhone was hacked and then send you to a phony Apple login page. The crook’s real goal may be stealing your Apple Account credentials.Apple says its genuine threat notifications will never ask you to click a link, open a file, install an app or profile, or give someone your Apple Account password or verification code by email or phone.Rather than trusting an unexpected email, open your browser yourself and go directly to Apple’s official account website. Sign in normally. If Apple really sent you a threat notification, the warning should appear at the top of your Apple Account page.If you receive a genuine warning, I would treat your phone as a potential security incident until you know more. Here are the steps I recommend.APPLE AI SECURITY UPDATE PROVES HACKERS MOVE FASTGo to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest available version of iOS. Security updates frequently close vulnerabilities that sophisticated attackers may try to exploit. Apple reinforced that recommendation in its statement to CyberGuy, saying, “Turning on Lockdown Mode and keeping devices updated with the latest software are critical defenses for protecting against mercenary spyware attacks.”Apple specifically recommends Lockdown Mode for people who receive a mercenary spyware warning. Apple says its updated notification experience is designed to make it easier for recipients to access recommended protective steps, including enabling Lockdown Mode.On an iPhone or iPad:Lockdown Mode deliberately restricts certain apps, websites and connections to reduce the number of ways highly sophisticated spyware can attack your device. An Apple spokesperson said in March 2026 that the company was not aware of any successful mercenary spyware attack against an Apple device while Lockdown Mode was enabled. That does not make any security feature unbeatable, but it is a remarkable record for a tool designed specifically for people facing this kind of threat. For a closer look, see our guide on how to protect your iPhone with Lockdown Mode.Make sure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled and review the devices connected to your Apple Account. Also use a strong password that you do not reuse anywhere else. A password manager can generate and store unique passwords so one stolen credential does not put several accounts at risk.Once a warning like this gets public attention, scammers can exploit the fear around it. Do not trust someone who suddenly calls claiming to be Apple Support. Avoid clicking links in unexpected texts or emails about spyware. Remember, Apple says its threat notifications will never ask for your password or verification code.Strange behavior alone does not prove spyware is installed. However, unexplained apps, settings you did not change or other unusual activity deserve attention. Here are more signs that may indicate your phone has been hacked and what you can do next.Probably not. Apple describes Lockdown Mode as an “extreme” protection intended for the relatively small number of people who face sophisticated targeted attacks. Some websites and Apple features work differently while it is enabled. For most people, keeping software current and protecting your Apple Account will provide a more practical everyday security foundation. However, the calculation changes if Apple sends you a mercenary spyware notification. Apple now specifically tells CyberGuy that turning on Lockdown Mode and keeping devices updated are “critical defenses” against mercenary spyware attacks.Even if you never see a spyware warning, there are several steps worth taking now.Security fixes can close vulnerabilities before attackers get another chance to exploit them. Apple recommends keeping your devices updated with the latest software.On an iPhone or iPad:You can also tap Automatic Updates from the Software Update screen to help keep future updates installed automatically.ARE APPLE DEVICES SPYING? WHAT YOUR IPHONE TRACKSOn a Mac:Avoid an easy-to-guess four-digit code. These iPhone security settings can help protect your device.This adds another barrier if someone obtains your Apple Account password. Here’s how two-factor authentication works and how to enable it.Apple recommends this as part of its broader security guidance. Here’s how to turn on Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone.Be extremely cautious with profiles or software someone tells you to install. You can also check your iPhone for suspicious configuration profiles or device management settings.Unexpected security warnings can also be bait used in phishing attacks. Here’s how to spot fake Apple alerts and phishing messages.Good security software can help protect you from malicious links, phishing attempts and other online threats that may try to steal your information. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.comData brokers can collect and sell information such as your phone number, address and other personal details. A data removal service can help remove that information from people-search and broker sites. It will not stop mercenary spyware, but reducing how much personal information is publicly available can give bad actors less information to work with. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.comIf someone gains access to sensitive personal or financial information, identity theft protection can help monitor for signs that your information is being misused and provide recovery assistance if fraud occurs. It will not prevent spyware from infecting an iPhone, but it adds another layer of protection around your identity. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.comApple bringing these warnings directly to the iPhone Lock Screen is a smart move. A warning this serious should be difficult to miss or mistake for an ordinary email. Apple’s response to CyberGuy also makes clear what it wants targeted users to do next: take the notification seriously, enable Lockdown Mode and get the latest software onto their devices. There is another takeaway here that affects far more people than those receiving these alerts. Sophisticated spyware was once something most of us associated with intelligence agencies and highly unusual cases. The commercial spyware industry has made these tools available to a wider range of operators and Apple says the attacks remain global. Most of us are unlikely to become targets of mercenary spyware. That should be reassuring. Still, Apple’s warnings show just how aggressive targeted surveillance can become when someone has enough resources and determination. If Apple ever tells you that you have been targeted, believe the warning until qualified experts give you a reason not to.Do you think Apple is doing enough to protect people from sophisticated spyware, or should stronger protections be turned on by default? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.comSign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportCopyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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