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Following the reported killing of major cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," multiple American tourists vacationing inPuerto Vallartatold Fox News Digital they unexpectedly found themselves in the middle of a violent cartel retaliation.

As airlines canceled flights and authorities issued shelter-in-place orders, stranded visitors reported cars set ablaze, suspected cartel members blocking major roads, and stores ransacked by looters — scenes some witnesses said made parts of the popular resort city feel like "a war breaking out in the streets."

Witnesses said they were forced to evacuate their rooms, manage with limited hotel food, and even venture outside in search of meals while waiting for Mexican authorities to regain control of the city.

Staying at an Airbnb near a main road, Eugene Marchenko, 37, of Charleston, South Carolina, told Fox News Digital he woke up to blaring horns and saw six cars completely engulfed in flames just outside his balcony. He and his wife, who had arrived in Mexico only a day earlier, were forced to evacuate for several hours, fearing that a nearby fuel tanker, also ablaze, could explode.

Major Drug Lord 'El Mencho' Killed In Mexican Military Operation With U.s. Intelligence Support

"I looked down and they're completely engulfed in flames," Marchenko said. "It was six cars in total that burned and one fuel tanker."

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He said he watched a neighbor's video showing men he believed to be cartel members forcing people out of their vehicles, then pouring gasoline and setting the cars on fire.

"They told the people to leave," Marchenko said. "Then they were taking the gas and pouring the gas on the vehicle and waiting until everybody was clear before they were setting it on fire."

Later in the afternoon, Marchenko ventured out to find food and said he saw pharmacies and corner stores completely burned down, adding that younger crowds had broken into nearby buildings to loot beer and cigarettes.

Cartels Outgun Police: Rocket Launchers Seized In El Mencho Raid Spotlight Cjng Firepower

Videos obtained by Fox News Digital show a helicopter hovering above his building, circling as if searching for someone, while Mexicanarmed forces and armored vehiclesmoved through the streets below.

Public transportation and Ubers had come to a complete halt, Marchenko added, saying that even if flights resume, he is unsure how they would reach the airport.

Despite the chaos, Marchenko noted that no one appeared to panic.

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"There's definitely not any panic from almost nobody here," he said. "I think it's interesting, almost everybody was just annoyed more than anything."

Soccer Matches Postponed After Mexico Kills Cartel Leader 'El Mencho' Near World Cup Host

Adriana Belli, 49, anothervisitor from Miami, told Fox News Digital that she had planned to spend over a week in Mexico to attend a wedding in Guadalajara and celebrate a friend's birthday in Mexico City.

Belli said the sudden outbreak of violence was especially shocking, noting that she had spoken with American tourists staying at her Marriott resort who insisted the area was extremely safe after visiting Puerto Vallarta for 24 years.

She added that guests who had gone to the airport were under lockdown and were managing with the limited food available.

"A lot of the other tourists who had early morning flights were actually able to get to the airport, but they are now locked down in the airport and unable to leave," she said. "So what we heard from other guests is they are just sort of surviving off of granola bars."

Another source staying ata separate resorttold Fox News Digital that restaurants and room service had been shut down. Guests were brought to the lobby for what was described as "the last bit of food."

He added that this was the first trip where he and his wife were away from their 4-year-old son, and that he had to call home to tell family members where to find their will.

"This is the first time we've ever been away from him. My wife was saying, 'We're never leaving him again,'" he said. "I had to call my mom today and, you know, just tell her, 'Look, here's where my will is. We just created this. I don't want you to panic, but I may need you to stay a couple days extra with my son.'"

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He added that, despite the area appearing like a war zone, he is remaining optimistic that the authorities will restore order in the coming days.

Mexico's Defense Department said Sunday that Oseguera waskilled in a military operation. The news reportedly triggered widespread unrest and uncertainty across multiple states as Mexican authorities worked to stabilize the region.

Original article source:Tourists trapped in Puerto Vallarta recount cartel retaliation after 'El Mencho' killed

Texas saw the largest school choice rollout in U.S. history, withover 118,000 applicationsfiled as of Friday.

"This has been the largest rollout of a school program in the nation and there is still about a month left—application deadline on March 17," Abbott administration spokesperson Eduardo Leal toldFox News Digital.

TheTexasEducation Freedom Accounts (TEFA) is a state-created education savings account program, backed by an initial $1 billion investment. The legislation introduced new competition into the education landscape, giving parents options outside the neighborhood school their child is zoned for — posing challenges for districts struggling to retain students.

School Choice Issue In Texas Reveals New Litmus Test For Republicans

Over 42,000 applications were submitted on the first day the portal opened, which Leal said made it "the largest day one school choice program in the nation."

School choice group, The American Federation for Children Growth Fund, spent nearly $2 million overall on enrollment marketing efforts in Texas to make families aware of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

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"Every family wants their children to have access to the besteducationpossible. An education system controlled by the unions that forces kids to go to a school that isn't serving their needs is a moral failure in our country," American Federation for Children President Tommy Schultz told Fox News Digital.

Arizona School District Takes Huge Blow To Enrollment As Parents Choose Other Options

"School choice policies state-by-state have been wildly oversubscribed because the demand is overwhelming from parents," Schultz added. "Now that more than 100,000 families have applied in Texas in this short period of time, it's a clear indication that this is one of the most popular public policy initiatives of our time that can actually fix a broken K-12 system."

TexasGov. Greg Abbottsigned the Texas Education Freedom Act in May 2025. The journey leading to signing the legislation was turbulent for Abbott and state Republicans as he struggled to unify members of his party on his school choice agenda.

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In the past, rural Republicans in the state rejectedschool choice policies, arguing, along with Democrats, that vouchers, or education savings accounts, would negatively impact public school funding.

Colorado Public School Enrollment Drops By 10,000 While Homeschooling Increases Statewide

In order to garner more support for his school choice agenda, the governor announced that he would get involved in the party's primaries to oust any candidates opposing school choice. With the aid of the American Federation for Children's Victory Fund, the governor endorsed and helped raise money forpro-school choice candidates in 2024.

The historic rollout of the program comes amidmajor city school districts strugglingto retain students since the coronavirus pandemic. Among them is Houston Independent School District (HISD), whose superintendent spoke with Fox News Digital in January, about its enrollment decline, citing nationwide enrollment trends, and efforts to appeal to parents ascompetition with charter schools ramps up.

HISD Superintendent Mike Miles last week recommended the district close 12 schools for the 2026-27 school year.

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HISD sent Fox News Digital a press release published on Feb. 12 that the district "is taking necessary steps to ensure the long-term strength, sustainability, and quality of education for all students."

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"This includes a recommendation to the Board of Managers for the closure of 12 schools (11 facilities) beginning 2026-27," the district announced.

The press release continued, "Like school districts across the region and the nation, HISD is navigating significant demographic and population shifts. As the District enters the annual budgeting and planning process for the upcoming school year, the impact of declining enrollment and compounding repair and maintenance costs has made it clear that maintaining certain campuses is no longer financially responsible or educationally sound."

Original article source:Texas parents rush to enroll their kids into state's school choice program

A massive winter storm is barreling through the Northeast, dumping more than 1 foot of snow and prompting the first blizzard warning for New York City in nearly a decade.

The governors of New York and New Jersey have issued states of emergency as blizzard warnings are in effect in New Jersey, New York City, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

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Feb 23, 11:11 AMWind gusts over 80 mphThe blizzard's powerful winds are downing trees, damaging cars, knocking out power and causing extremely dangerous travel conditions.Wind gusts have hit 84 mph in the Hamptons in New York; 83 mph on Nantucket in Massachusetts; 73 mph on Cape Cod, Massachusetts; and 62 mph at New York City's JFK airport.

Feb 23, 6:29 AMSnow totals top 2 feetSnow totals are topping 2 feet across the Northeast as the monster storm continues to slam the region.Snow totals so far have hit a whopping 27 inches near Westhampton, New York; 26 inches in Richmond, Rhode Island; 24 inches in Swansea, Massachusetts; 22 inches in Chester, Connecticut; and Langhorne, Pennsylvania; and 19 inches in Bethel, Delaware. Philadelphia has recorded more than 13 inches, marking the city's biggest single snowfall in 10 years, while Freehold, New Jersey, is buried under 2 feet of snow.

Feb 23, 6:11 AMPower outages hit NortheastThe storm is knocking out power across the Northeast, with Massachusetts and New Jersey hit the hardest with 270,000 and 120,000 customers without power respectively.

Feb 23, 10:22 AM'Please stay home,' New York governor saysNew York Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging New Yorkers to "stay home and keep the roads clear for plows and first responders" as the heavy snow and powerful winds continue.

State emergency officials said snowfall rates of 1-to-3 inches per hour are expected, "making travel nearly impossible."As residents hunker down, Hochul on social media asked people to "check on your neighbors, especially older adults, and report power outages."

Feb 23, 10:09 AMBlizzard seen from spaceThe National Weather Service posted this image of the Northeast blizzard seen from space.

Feb 23, 8:17 AMNew Jersey travel ban extended until noon MondayNew Jersey's travel ban, which began at 9 p.m. Sunday, will now remain in effect until noon on Monday, police announced.New Jersey State Police said the "extension is necessary due to …. [the] heavy snowfall, blizzard-like conditions, and strong winds that continue to create dangerous travel conditions.""Residents are urged to avoid all non-essential travel until the restriction is lifted," police said.

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Feb 23, 6:55 AMLatest forecast on Monday morningA blizzard warning remains in effect across New Jersey, New York City and Connecticut through Monday evening, with the monster storm marking the first blizzard warning for New York City in nine years.

A blizzard warning is also in effect in Boston, Rhode Island and some of the Maine coast through Tuesday morning.Powerful winds could reach 55 mph in New York City and 75 mph in Boston. Wind gusts have reached 84 mph on Long Island and 73 mph on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

The heavy snow and winds will be strongest in the morning and then weaken in the afternoon across New Jersey and New York City. In the afternoon, the snow will continue in Rhode Island, Boston and the Maine coast before tapering off in the evening.

But when the snow lightens up, the winds will still be very strong, reducing visibility Monday night.Storm totals are on track to reach 1 to 2 feet across much of the Northeast. New York City and Boston could see 20 inches; New York's Long Island could see 2 feet; and New Jersey and Philadelphia are forecast to get 11 to 15 inches.Coastal flooding is also a major concern along the coast from Virginia up to Boston. Parts of Long Island could see more than 2 feet of flood inundation.-ABC News' Kenton Gewecke

Feb 23, 6:25 AMOver 5,000 flights canceled Monday

More than 5,000 flights have been canceled within, into or out of the U.S. on Monday, with airports in New York City, New Jersey, Boston and Philadelphia hit the hardest.While those airports remain open, travelers are advised to check their flight status before heading out the door.

Feb 23, 3:12 AMStorm intensifies as Staten Island marks foot of snow

The winter storm continues to rapidly intensify off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina, now producing heavy snow and gusty winds from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia to New York City to Newport, Rhode Island.Heavy bands of snow are producing 1-3 inches per hour of snow fall have been observed and are expected to continue over the next few hours, particularly into the morning from New Jersey and New York City out to Long Island, as well as to Hartford, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island.

Some bands have been strong enough to produce lightning and thundersnow, too, over the past couple of hours. There have been some reports of thundersnow in Long Branch, New Jersey, and briefly in New York City. We could continue to see that with the heaviest bands through this morning along the coast from Virginia to the Jersey Shore and Long Island to coastal New England.Visibilities have dropped to less than a half mile at New York City's Central Park, with wind gusts between 20 and 33 mph being reported through the overnight hours. While New York City has not yet reached blizzard conditions -- which require gusts of 35 mph, visibilities down to 1/4 mile or less, all for at least three consecutive hours -- they are seeing near-whiteout conditions leading to reduced visibilities.

As of 12 a.m. ET, the center of the storm measured a pressure of 980 mb. At 12 p.m. ET Sunday, the center of the storm had measured a pressure of 1,005 mb. This means that within the span of 12 hours, the center of the storm dropped 25 mb in pressure and surpassed the criteria of "bombogenesis" -- a pressure drop of at least 24 mb within 24 hours.The storm is expected to continue rapidly intensifying over the next few hours and the center of the storm will continue to deepen, allowing for stronger wind gusts and heavier snow bands with the nor'easter through this morning.-ABC News' Kyle Reiman

Feb 22, 9:30 PMPower outages in New Jersey and Virginia

As of 9 p.m. on Sunday night, more than 21,000 customers were without power in New Jersey, and more than 12,000 customers were without power in Virginia.-ABC News' Kyle Reiman

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The2026 Met Galais fast approaching.

Snow may be pelting the grand steps ofNew York's Metropolitan Museum of Artthis weekend, but soon enough winter will melt to Spring and the iconic institution will ready for its premiere event.

Headed up, in part, byVogue's global editorial director Anna Wintour, the Met Gala marries high fashion with high stakes as celebrities attempt not to offend even the fiercest of internet critics with their take on the dress code du jour.

This year, a powerful trio of women, includingBeyoncé, will serve as co-chairs for the event, and guests will be wined and dined on the dime of the newly marriedLauren and Jeff Bezos, who were announced as primary donors.

Here's what to know about the 2026 Met Gala.

The biggest momentsfrom the 2025 Met Gala: Rihanna, Diana Ross, more red carpet highlights

What is the dress code, theme for the 2026 Met Gala?

Following anannouncement in Novemberthat the theme for themost famed night in fashionwould be "Costume Art,"Vogue confirmed Monday, Feb. 23,that guests would be asked to dress to the code "fashion is art." Both vague and central to the true essence of style, the phrase seems aimed at urging designers to use the body as a blank canvas.

"What connects every curatorial department and what connects every single gallery in the museum is fashion, or the dressed body," Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge of the museum's Costume Institute, said, per Vogue. The Costume Institute puts on the party each year as a fundraiser.

"It's the common thread throughout the whole museum, which is really what the initial idea for the exhibition was," Bolton said.

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Beyoncésets Met Gala return,will co-chair event in 2026

The Met Gala, which arrives arm-in-arm with an exhibition at the iconic New York museum each year, will be accompanied in 2026 by the launch of the nearly 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries. Named for the magazine publisher whose company would go on to transform Vogue, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, the exhibition will focus on the "centrality of the dressed body in the museum's vast collection," pairing contemporary and historic garments from theCostume Institute's collectionwith paintings, sculptures and other art "spanning 5,000 years" from The Met.

Who is hosting the 2026 Met Gala?

Beyoncé,Nicole KidmanandVenus Williamsare set to serve as co-chairs for the 2026 Met Gala alongsideWintour.

Vogue also announced that designer Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz will co-chair the Met Gala Host Committee for 2026 with membersSabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie,Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki,Lena Dunham, Lisa, Sam Smith,Teyana Taylorand more stars.

Metropolitan Museum of Art announcesMet Gala 2026 theme, 'Costume Art'

When is the Met Gala?

The Met Gala always takes place on the first Monday in May, which this year falls on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Hilights from the 2025 Met Gala

For 2025 the exhibit– and the night'sdress code, "Tailored for You" – highlighted Black dandyism.

With celebrity attendees includingA$AP Rocky,Spike Lee,Janelle MonaéandUsher, the Met steps were full of immaculate suiting, custom couture and inventive takes on tailoring. A focus on Black history and personal style was inherent in each ensemble, fromDiana Ross' feathered 18-foot train toRihanna's reveal of her baby bump.

Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Anika Reed, Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Met Gala dress code is finally here – What to know about 2026 theme

Richard Marxis an ace musician, but he's also a champion conversationalist.

The singer/songwriter/producer who has commandeered the charts for decades with more than 30 Top 40 pop and adult contemporary hits can easily zigzag topics, whether music past and current, shaking a martini, or applying moisturizer.

Marxtalked to USA TODAY recentlyabout his new album,"After Hours,"which embraces the Great American Songbook, and podcast/YouTube series"Stories to Tell."But he also took time to chat about some of his favorite music; how, at 62, he still looks like the guy who dropped "Don't Mean Nothing" in 1987; and yes, his spectacular hair.

Richard Marx is an Elvis devotee

Marx was about 8 years old when he purchased his first album, Elvis Presley's"'68 Comeback Special,"spending $8.99 of his allowance.

"I was the Elvis freak (in the house). My dad was never an Elvis fan. He was a jazz musician; he looked down on Elvis but came to appreciate his charisma and performance. My mom loved Elvis but not like I did," Marx says. "The first time I saw him on TV, I was captivated like everyone else."

Richard Marx doesn't listen to much old music – with one exception

Marx says he's "constantly" listening to new music, with his favorite of the past few years the Canadian electronic duoBob Moses."I'm obsessed with them," he says.

But there is one classic embedded in Marx's musical soul:Earth, Wind & Fire's1979 gem,"I Am,"which includes the evergreens "Boogie Wonderland" and "After the Love Has Gone."

"It's my desert island disc," he says. "I've written with Philip Bailey, but the heart of that group was (the late) Maurice White. He was a hero of mine. His voice – he's one of the most underrated singers ever."

Richard Marx has worked with dozens of artists, but one stands out for a surprising reason

"I'm going to answer this differently than I thought I would," Marx says when asked who his favorite collaborator has been during his lengthy career. "I've written many songs withKeith Urban,including three of his hits, and it's never a particularly enjoyable experience," he says, continuing, "It's laborious. The music usually comes fast to us and we riff off each other, but when it comes to lyrics, it's not fun. We've had some contentious moments working together, but … I love what I've done with Keith."

Marx cites Urban's 2011 anthem"Long Hot Summer"as one of his favorites, which the pair wrote in three writing sessions in three different cities.

"My relationship with Keith is interesting in that we butt heads, but I love him and at the end of the day, what we have written together I really hold dear."

Richard Marx's keys to health – no sugar and plenty of sun

The lithe Marx has been a vegetarian – sometimes vegan – most of his life, as well as someone committed to fitness. But when he turned 60 two years ago, he made a major change to his diet and cut out all added sugar.

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After a few months of the new regimen he had some medical tests and, "My doctor went, 'Dude! You're 60 and you have no inflammation in your body.' And Idrink!," he says with a laugh.

Marx, who lives in Hidden Hills, California with wifeDaisy Fuentes, is also a fan of the sun.

"I'll sit in the sun for 20 minutes without any sunscreen, get my vitamin D. The sun is not our enemy," he says.

He's tried meditation, but "I always fall asleep … my meditation is to take an hourlong hike."

Age has also injected Marx with a modified philosophical outlook on life.

"It can be such a bummer, but I'm starting to be conscious of how much time I have left. I don't want to waste time. I want to get experiences. I have three sons I'm really close to, I'm madly in love – Daisy and I have so much fun together. We have a lot of stuff we have to do, but we just need to have fun," he says.

Yes, Richard Marx knows he has great hair

Marx's coif,legendary in the '80s and '90sand just as lush today, isn't the product of genetics, but, he says, luck.

"I have a half-brother who is bald, so I'm so lucky I have all this hair. God knows I've tortured with product and hair straightener and it's still like, 'Love ya! Still here!'"

Richard Marx isn't a Botox guy – for now

Given Marx's proclivity for the sun, he knows he has to stay moisturized to combat the effect of the rays. His wife is always ready to give an assist.

"Daisy will be standing next to me in the bathroom and going, 'Oh my God, isthathow you put lotion on your face?' She always has some retinol and all that stuff and I'm becoming a bit more diligent about my skin," he says.

As for Botox, Marx isn't against the procedure, but "never say never. I do know that my vanity will probably get the best of me. That's the reason my hair isn't white. I let my hair go gray a little during the pandemic and my oldest son (Brandon) went, 'Dad, youneedto color your hair because you look 10 years older!'"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Richard Marx loves Elvis, sunshine and sometimes Keith Urban

SinceNicole Kidmanand her ex-husband,Keith Urban, parted ways after 19 years of marriage, various rumors have circulated on the internet about the country singer allegedly dating younger women. However, if sources are to be believed, the veteran actor isn't "blindsided by any of this." In fact, she is dismissing Urban's recent behavior as a "midlife crisis."

Nicole Kidman isn't 'blindsided' by ex Keith Urban's alleged rumors, per source

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban shocked everyone when they announced their separation in September after almost two decades of marriage. Since then, reports of Urbandating younger women, including rising country singer Karley Scott Collins and musician Maggie Baugh, have surfaced. However, the country star has dismissed the reports.

But it seems his ex-wife is seeing his behavior in a different light. A source toldOK! Magazinethat Kidman "isn't sitting at home blindsided by any of this. If anything, there's a sense of weary acceptance. What she feels is more disappointment than shock."

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Moreover, with her former husband's links to younger women, the Oscar winner feels he is "trying to prove something, perhaps to himself as much as to anyone else." A source claimed, "In private conversations with close friends, she's framed it less as scandal and more as a midlife crisis phase, and is making a joke of it."

However, in the midst of all this, the Hollywood star's "priority has been creating a calm, grounded environment at home" for her teen daughters — Sunday and Faith. "She's very deliberate about keeping life steady, reassuring her kids, and making sure the noise from outside doesn't define how they feel about their parents or themselves," the insider added.

Meanwhile, Urban seems to have gotten frustrated with the online chatter because "he sees a version of himself circulating online that he doesn't recognize." Additionally, he feels that "no matter what he does right now, it's being put under a microscope."

The postNicole Kidman Labeling Ex's Alleged Actions as 'Midlife Crisis' — Sourceappeared first onReality Tea.

WASHINGTON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - ‌A ‌U.S. judge ​on Monday permanently barred the ‌Justice ⁠Department from ⁠releasing a ​prosecutor's ​report ​on ‌the criminal case accusing President Donald ‌Trump ​of ​unlawfully ​retaining ‌classified documents following ​his ​first ​term ‌in office.

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(Reporting ​by Andrew ​Goudsward;)