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Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., successfully won re-election in Wisconsin all while President-elect Donald Trump simultaneously flipped the state back to red in the presidential election. As to how she did it, the Democrat attributes much of her win to her "72-county strategy." Baldwin made sure during her campaign to traverse the entire state, venturing far from the two large blue enclaves of Milwaukee and Dane counties. "I think showing up matters, listening matters," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "And so I go, and I really listen and get to know the challenges and aspirations of people all over the state, rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas." Baldwin won by a few tens of thousands of votes in the state, clinching victory by roughly the same margin as Trump. RFK JR'S ABORTION 'ISSUE': SENATE GOP PLANS TO SCRUTINIZE TRUMP HHS PICK'S POSITION According to her campaign, she did more than 250 events in Wisconsin in 2024 alone. She also hosted several targeted tours during her campaign, including her Dairyland Tour and her Rural Leaders for Tammy Tour. Further, Baldwin's campaign microtargeted rural communities to deliver content regarding her agricultural work. But her rigorous travel is not the only thing that sealed the deal for her. The senator acknowledged that people can go everywhere, but they also need to effectively engage voters in each place they travel to. One thing she noted is that she's "had years to earn the trust of Wisconsin voters," referencing the short few months that the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris had to turn out voters for her in the state. Baldwin also said she convenes roundtables and forums on relevant issues while she travels in Wisconsin. "So I've done that on, say, the fentanyl and opioid epidemic, bringing together first responders, public health officials, concerned community members to talk about what does the epidemic look like in this community, in this area of the state? What resources do you need? What are your biggest worries?" INCOMING SENATE DEM ELISSA SLOTKIN TORCHES IDENTITY POLITICS IN 2024 AUTOPSY: 'GO THE WAY OF THE DODO' She also held events geared toward agricultural issues, she noted. Baldwin notably credits, in part, her work on agricultural issues with her re-election win. In early October, Baldwin earned the endorsement of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors, which was a significant achievement for a Democrat in a statewide election. "They cited a number of different measures that I either championed or actually got into law," she said. The senator pointed to her Dairy Business Innovation Act, which provides small grants to various dairy producers and processors. "I went this past spring to a particular farm that had received one of these grants, and they had also invited several other farmers and processors who had received grants to show me what they were able to do with these grants in order to grow their business and improve their bottom line," she said. RICK SCOTT OUTLINES CONSENSUS FOR 'DRAMATIC CHANGE' TO SENATE OPERATION IN POST-MCCONNELL ERA The Wisconsin Democrat also pointed to the large manufacturing sector in her state and attributed her push for "buy America" rules in pieces of legislation as helping her win some of those voters. On whether her campaign is a model for other Democrats, specifically those in swing states, she said, "I think it is something that would be helpful to many public officials." Baldwin added that she realized the need to travel Wisconsin to this extent during her first Senate campaign: "I had been in the House of Representatives representing, as you know, seven counties in [the] south-central part of the state. I had to learn Wisconsin as I was running." MATT GAETZ 'WORKING THE PHONES,' SPEAKING TO GOP SENATORS DESPITE DIFFICULT CONFIRMATION ODDS "And so traveling to do that learning was extremely important, being exposed to, you know, the timber industry and the north woods. We didn't have a big timber industry in the south-central part of the state." The Midwestern senator also said this was the first time she heard from Wisconsinites that elected officials hadn't been spending much time in certain parts of the state. "One thing I will say that I hear from constituents when I show up is just like, 'I don't remember the last time we had a U.S. senator visit our community, and especially not a Democrat,'" she said. "It's like, you know, the timber industry folks saying, 'I don't think we've ever had a senator pay so much attention to us,'" she added.

A Texas anesthesiologist convicted of injecting heart-stopping poison into patients' IV bags has been sentenced to 190 years in prison. Raynaldo Riviera Ortiz, Jr., 60, once dubbed a "medical terrorist," was found guilty on four counts of tampering with consumer products resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of tampering with a consumer product and five counts of intentional adulteration of a drug after an eight-day trial in April of last year. Sentencing was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge David Godbey, who ruled Ortiz’s actions equivalent to attempted murder and U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton seemingly agreed. "This disgraced doctor acted no better than an armed assailant spraying bullets indiscriminately into a crowd. Dr. Ortiz tampered with random IV bags, apparently unconcerned with who he hurt. But he wielded an invisible weapon, a cocktail of heart-stopping drugs, concealed inside an IV bag designed to help patients heal," said Simonton. TEXAS DOCTOR FOUND GUILTY OF POISONING PATIENTS BY PUTTING DANGEROUS DRUGS IN IV BAGS Simonton continued: "On at least nine separate occasions, he essentially attacked unconscious patients lying on an operating table, and even killed a colleague. I am so proud of our office’s work in bringing Dr. Ortiz to justice and bringing a measure of solace to his victims and their families." During the trial, doctors said they were confused when their patients’ blood pressures were suddenly spiking, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas. After reviewing medical records, one thing in common with each incident was that these emergencies took place after new IV bags had been hung. Evidence presented in the trial showed that patients at Surgicare North Dallas suffered cardiac emergencies during routine medical procedures in 2022. The evidence showed that it was not done by any particular doctor. TEXAS DOCTOR ACCUSED OF POISONING PATIENTS BEGS FOR BAIL, GIVES NEW DETAILS ABOUT DOG SHOOTING After the unexplained emergencies, a fellow anesthesiologist treated herself for dehydration using one of the tainted bags and died that day. Her husband, Dr. John Kaspar, told the court the memory of seeing his wife’s "lifeless eyes" still haunts him and will never leave him. She was "my life" and "the strongest woman" he’d ever met, he said. During the sentencing, families and patients spoke about the "life-altering" pain they had endured at the hands of Ortiz. A son of one victim said that because of what happened, his 10-year-old son did not trust doctors anymore because "a doctor tried to kill Pops." Another victim said after the cardiac incident he woke up feeling "all chewed up" and has not been the same since. Ortiz waived his rights and was not present to hear the sentence or the statements from his victims.

GREG GUTFELD: So, how about that rocket launch yesterday? Elon Musk and President Trump? Watch the Starship take off from a city called Boca Chica, which is Spanish for small mouth. But while the incoming president celebrated the rocket taking off to cheering crowds, the outgoing president took off as well to a different kind of clamor. You know, usually when people scream at Joe like that, they say, 'Sir, that's a houseplant, not a toilet.' But why was he in such a hurry? Maybe he really had to go – literally. And so it's a tale of two takeoffs. One is a ride to space. Another, a ride to the rest home. But Trump isn't traveling alone. The world seems to be along for the ride. It's funny – just a few weeks ago, Trump was a threat to world peace when the only threat we really faced was Joe Biden mistaking our children for dinner. But now foreign leaders are suddenly making nice. Australia's ambassador to America had previously called Trump the most destructive president in history – but now he's congratulating him and looking forward to working closely with him. No wonder the Aussies invented the boomerang, up in Canada. Their first trans prime minister, Justin Trudeau, suddenly cracked down on unchecked immigration. He was talking tough there for a while – until somebody showed him this picture. Down in Mexico, lefty President Claudia Sheinbaum wouldn't even acknowledge Trump's candidacy on Election Day. Sheinbaum, Mexico has a Jewish president. Maybe she'll agree to Trump building a Wailing Wall. You know that joke doesn't deserve you. Then Trump said he would make public the intelligence that America had on Mexican politicians – in bed with cartels. Suddenly, Sheinbaum is cracking down on her own border – but soon Claudia might be welcoming 10 million people who should look familiar. Get ready for an influx of gangs, drug dealers and even worse, washed-up celebs. GET TO KNOW DONALD TRUMP'S CABINET: WHO HAS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PICKED SO FAR? Trump's triggering lefty foreign leaders like a quarter-pounder at a PETA rally. But is it all on Trump, as he himself has said? They haven't been after him. They've been after you, and he's just in the way. And the truth is, it's you who's had enough. It just took Trump to make it clear the world gets it. Daddy's home and it's time to clean up your mess. And you can't hide behind a legacy media – which is deader than the battery in Rosie O'Donnell's back trimmer. But really, the world wants this. The world wants this. They just needed someone to rip the Band-Aid off. It wasn't going to be Joe or Kamala. Joe lacks the upper body strength, and Kamala doesn't have enough accents to please the whole world. But everyone knew the planet was screwed. Hell, even the bad guys are now picking up their toys and crawling back under their rocks. Qatar has just confirmed that Hamas leaders are no longer there. For things to operate in the world, someone has to stand up once in a while and say, ‘wrap it up, guys, this is enough.’ That guy is Trump. But he's got all of us, too. No wonder the world's scared. It might be the one thing they've ever gotten right.

President-elect Trump's team is confident that Senate Republicans will approve his cabinet selection – despite some of the picks raising eyebrows from Republicans and Democrats alike. A Trump transition official confirmed to Fox News that the president-elect is "confident that Senate Republicans will hold the line." "President Trump is confident that Senate Republicans will hold the line and respect the will of the American people by approving his cabinet nominees," the official said. The official said that Trump is "very happy" with the vice president-elect, saying that Vance is "laser focused on already getting the ball rolling on his highly-qualified nominees." TRUMP PICKING CABINET AT BREAKNECK SPEED COMPARED TO 2016 Trump's nominees and administration picks during his second administration are being publicly announced at a much faster pace than during his first administration in 2016, which the transition team attributed to Trump's commitment to putting "America first." "The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly qualified men and women who have the talent, experience and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again," Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt previously told Fox News Digital when asked about Trump's speedy rollout of Cabinet picks. WATCH: Trump's most contentious choice so far has been Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for attorney general. The pick came as a surprise to many since the firebrand does not have any prior law enforcement experience and faces misconduct allegations. Gaetz was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which subpoenaed him as recently as September for an ongoing investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with a minor. LOYALTY MATTERS: TRUMP PICKS ALLIES AND SUPPORTERS TO FILL OUT HIS ADMINISTRATION Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and had told the panel he would "no longer voluntarily participate" in its probe. Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly after Trump made the announcement. On Wednesday, Vance and Gaetz were spotted leaving the Capitol. A source familiar previously told Fox News Digital that Gaetz is "working the phones" to address concerns from GOP senators ahead of his confirmation hearings next year. He is also making the rounds with Vance on Capitol Hill to meet with senators directly. "The meetings have been productive with AG nominee Gaetz listening to senators' thoughts on the role of the DOJ and the confirmation process. Gaetz is looking forward to meeting with more senators throughout this process on the Hill," a Trump transition official told Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Trump transition team for comment. Fox News Digital's Emma Colton and Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.

The 58th annual 2024 CMA Awards has concluded at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Chris Stapleton was the big winner of the night, taking home three of his five nominations, including male vocalist of the year, as well as both single of the year and song of the year for his song, "White Horse." Morgan Wallen was nominated in seven categories, the most of any artist this year, but only took home one award, entertainer of the year. Despite being the top award of the night, Wallen was absent from the ceremony. The show's co-host Lainey Wilson also took home two trophies, including female vocalist of the year and music video of the year. LAINEY WILSON HOSTING CMA AWARDS, POST MALONE RECEIVES FIRST NOMINATION: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE SHOW Below is a look at the 2024 CMA Awards complete winners list. Entertainer of the year: Morgan Wallen Single of the year: "White Horse" by Chris Stapleton Album of the year: "Leather" by Cody Johnson CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Song of the year: "White Horse" by Chris Stapleton Female vocalist of the year: Lainey Wilson Male vocalist of the year: Chris Stapleton LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Vocal group of the year: Old Dominion Vocal duo of the year: Brooks & Dunn Musical event of the year: "you look like you love me" Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green) Musician of the year: Charlie Worsham Music video of the year: "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" by Lainey Wilson New artist of the year: Megan Moroney

An effort by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., to block certain U.S. weapons sales to Israel was overwhelmingly rejected by the U.S. Senate Wednesday evening. Sanders' joint resolution of disapproval, which was supported by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.; Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.; and Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., intended to stop the White House's latest arms sales to the Israeli military. An effort to block the sales of tank rounds to Israel was voted down 79-18, and a measure intending to block mortar round shipments was rejected 78-19. Speaking on the Senate floor, Sanders claimed the Israeli government is controlled "not only by right-wing extremists, but by religious zealots." "It is time to tell the Netanyahu government that they cannot use U.S. taxpayer dollars and American weapons in violation of U.S. and international law and our moral values despite receiving $18 billion from U.S. taxpayers in the last year," Sanders said. 'CHEERLEADING FOR TERRORISM': TWITCH STAR CALLED FOR NEW 9/11, DISMISSED HORROR OF OCT 7 "And being the largest historical recipient of U.S. foreign aid, the Netanyahu government has completely ignored the repeated requests of President Biden and the U.S. government." The 83-year-old politician also decried living conditions in Gaza during his speech. "Right now, there is raw sewage running through the streets of Gaza, and it is very difficult for the people there to obtain clean drinking water," Sanders said. "Every one of Gaza's 12 universities has been bombed … as have many hundreds of schools. For 13 months, there has been no electricity in Gaza. ISRAELI OFFICIAL PRAISES STEFANIK AS UN PICK, SAYS HER 'MORAL CLARITY' WILL COMBAT BODY'S 'HATE AND LIES' "As I have said many, many times, Israel had the absolute right to respond to that horrific Hamas attack as any other country would," Sanders concluded. "I don't think anybody here in the United States Senate disagrees with that. But Prime Minister Netanyahu's extremist government has not simply waged war against Hamas. It has waged an all-out war against the Palestinian people." Despite the vote, Sanders' effort was not wholly unpopular. Earlier this week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., signaled support for the Vermont Independent's proposal. "The failure by the Biden administration to follow U.S. law and to suspend arms shipments is a grave mistake that undermines American credibility worldwide," Warren said in a statement to The Guardian. "If this administration will not act, Congress must step up to enforce U.S. law and hold the Netanyahu government accountable through a joint resolution of disapproval." Fox News Digital's Jessica Sonkin and Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.

A Jan. 6 rioter who breached the U.S. Capitol was convicted of trying to have law enforcement personnel, including the FBI agents and employees who were investigating him, murdered, the Justice Department said Wednesday. Edward Kelley, 35, of Maryville, Tennessee, who was convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers and other crimes during the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, was found guilty on Wednesday of conspiracy to murder employees of the United States, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, and influencing or retaliating against federal officials by threat. The jury agreed on a verdict after an hour of deliberation following the three-day trial, WBIR-TV reported. NIKKI HALEY PENS SUPPORTIVE OP-ED IN FAVOR OF TRUMP AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY: ‘EASY CALL’ Federal prosecutors at his trial in Knoxville, Tennessee, said Kelly developed a "kill list" of FBI agents and others who participated in the investigation into his conduct on Jan. 6 while awaiting trial for his involvement in the Capitol riot. He distributed the list, as well as videos containing images of FBI employees identified on the list, to a co-conspirator as part of his "mission," authorities said. SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF JAN. 6 CAPITOL RIOT PARTICIPANT WHO CHALLENGED OBSTRUCTION CONVICTION Kelley's co-defendant Austin Carter, who pleaded guilty in November 2023 to conspiracy to kill FBI agents and is awaiting sentencing, testified that Kelly said he needed to "take out" the FBI. He said that he and Kelley planned attacks on the Knoxville FBI Field Office using car bombs and incendiary devices appended to drones. He also testified that the conspirators strategized about assassinating FBI employees in their homes and in public places such as movie theaters. Recording introduced by prosecutors showed Kelley directing the plan, and giving instructions to "start it," "attack," and "take out their office" in the event of his arrest. He was also recorded stating: "Every hit has to hurt. Every hit has to hurt," authorities said. Kelley is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2025. He faces up to life in prison.

Fox News host Sean Hannity reveals how President-elect Trump will turn America around on "Hannity." SEAN HANNITY: Under Donald Trump, America's core principles of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness will be restored. Limited government and constitutional order will be restored. The all-powerful far-left bureaucratic state will face a day of reckoning. SPARKS FLY AS ‘THE VIEW’ CO-HOSTS CLASH OVER REASONS FOR HARRIS DEFEAT: ‘WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA?’ You, the American people, will be free to create, to build, to speak your minds once again. This will usher in a new age of innovation and prosperity. The American people, frankly, are more than ready. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP We're a little sick and tired of what we've been living through. Take a look at the numbers. A new Harvard-Harris poll has Donald Trump's approval at over 54%. That is well above Joe Biden. Another poll found that Donald Trump's popularity among young people has surged a whopping 20 points. A third poll determined that a majority of Americans approve of Donald Trump's transition.

Legendary UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma made history Wednesday night with the Huskies’ victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University. Auriemma became the all-time wins leader in college basketball history for both men and women, collecting his 1,217th victory to pass Tara VanDerveer, the legendary Stanford Cardinal coach. More than 60 former players were at Gampel Pavilion as part of a sellout crowd to watch the Huskies take down the Knights, 85-41. Despite UConn being a heavy favorite in this matchup, Auriemma went about coaching like the 1,216 wins before it, until the final buzzer sounded. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The game was also a celebration of Auriemma and associate head coach Chris Dailey’s 40th season leading the Huskies. It was part of a celebration that included a goat petting zoo near the arena during a fan fest, a reference to Auriemma being the greatest of all-time. While the night was meant to honor Auriemma and Dailey, the win to set the new record led to reflection on just how dominant his program has been at UConn all these years. GENO AURIEMMA TIES DIVISION I COACHING RECORD AS NO. 2 UCONN BEATS NO. 14 UNC 69-58 The Huskies are 11-time national champions with 23 Final Four appearances, including 15 in the last 16 years. Auriemma’s .882 win percentage for his career remains an NCAA record as well. "At the beginning, we really just had our vision and each other to say, 'This is what we're going to do,'" Dailey said Tuesday, via ESPN. "And we were able to convince enough people to believe that same dream. And, eventually, 40 years later, a lot more has happened than what we ever thought would have." Auriemma has only coached at one school, building his squad in Storrs to the point it was nationally recognized as a powerhouse for decades. After the team’s first national title under Auriemma in 1995, UConn was, and still remains, a powerhouse every season. Auriemma, 70, still wants to coach the Huskies despite admitting to feeling at times it was the right move to walk away. "As long as I'm here, and I walk in this building, and I see the players here, and I see the people that work in my little world and how we all kind of motivate each other, there's no other place I would want to be," he said. UConn remains unbeaten at 4-0 to start the 2024-25 campaign. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Conservative Republican Nick Begich will win a tight race for Alaska's lone seat in the House of Representatives, according to the Associated Press. Begich defeated his main rival, Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, the first Native Alaskan in Congress, and one of only five House Democrats currently representing a district won by President-elect Trump in 2020. The win widens the Republican majority in the House to 219 and 213 for Democrats. SPEAKER JOHNSON RIPS ‘LACK OF LEADERSHIP’ IN BIDEN ADMIN'S HELENE RESPONSE: 'ALARMED AND DISAPPOINTED' The GOP candidate is no stranger to politics, having been born into a prominent political family in Alaska – made up of mostly Democrats. His grandfather, Nick Begich, Sr., was an Alaska congressman, before mysteriously disappearing on a flight and being pronounced dead in 1972. His uncle, Mark Begich, was a U.S. senator for Alaska from 2009 to 2015. The other two hopefuls in the race were Alaska Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and Democratic candidate Eric Hafner. Alaska is one of only two states to use ranked-choice voting in federal elections, something that benefited Peltola in 2022, when Begich and former Gov. Sarah Palin knocked each other out of the running by splitting the Republican vote. HERITAGE FOUNDATION SUES DHS FOR DOCUMENTS THAT SAY 'HARRIS' AND 'BORDER CZAR' Republicans took a lesson from that defeat, however, and instead, coalesced around Begich earlier in the race. Alaska has just one House seat given its modest population compared to more densely packed states. It is also one of only two states to use ranked-choice voting in its federal elections. Peltola won her seat in a special election following the sudden death of longtime Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, in 2022. Young’s daughters and several former staffers endorsed Peltola for re-election in the November race later that year. CLUB FOR GROWTH POURS $5M INTO TIGHT HOUSE RACES AS GOP BRACES FOR TOUGH ELECTION The moderate Democrat has been known to break from her party on certain climate and energy issues, among others. Begich's victory is a much-needed win for House Republicans who have fought tooth-and-nail to retain and even expand their majority. He was added to the House GOP campaign arm's "Young Guns" list in August of this year, giving him access to National Republican Congressional Committee resources, support, and advisement. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Fox News host Jesse Watters discusses the media continuing to digest President-elect Donald Trump's victory as they prepare to say goodbye to President Biden. JESSE WATTERS: The media is on its heels for the first time. Their audience is checked out, and if they aren't fair, they're going to get called out and their industry can't afford the fight. If they're going to talk about Gaetz, then it's only fair. We talk about the slush fund that Congress has and has settled for hundreds of sexual misconduct allegations. The stack of vendors is a mile high. Do we really want to be pointing fingers here? Trump says this is what the radical left lunatics do to people. They dirty them up, they destroy them, and then they spit them out. They're trying that right now with some great American patriots who are only trying to fix the mess that the Democrats have made for our country. POLLSTER NATE SILVER CALLS ON BIDEN TO RESIGN AFTER CLAIMING HE ISN'T ‘COMPETENT TO BE PRESIDENT RIGHT NOW’ … At Mar-a-Lago, confidence is high. They think all the nominees are getting through and they're willing to spend political capital to do it once they're in. It'll look like a coalition government with three factions. He has America First nationalists, establishment conservatives and dissident Democrats. So while Trump's putting the finishing touches on this movement, you're not going to believe how Biden celebrated his 82nd birthday, giving the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the chief of Planned Parenthood.

President-elect Trump chose former ambassador and Rep. Pete Hoekstra for his pick for the U.S. ambassador to Canada. "Pete is well-respected in the Great State of Michigan - A State we won sizably. He represented Michigan’s 2nd District in Congress for nearly 20 years, where he was also Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and was a great help to our Campaign as Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party," Trump wrote in a Wednesday evening release. Trump said that Hoekstra would help the president-elect's "American First" agenda. "In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST," he wrote. "He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role. Thank you, Pete!" GET TO KNOW DONALD TRUMP'S CABINET: WHO HAS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PICKED SO FAR? Hoekstra was the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. Prior to his ambassadorship, he served 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District of Michigan, and served as chairman and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. Trump's pick of Hoekstra on Wednesday came after he tapped former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to become U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in his new administration.

12,000-year-old perforated stones found over years of excavations in Israel may "represent early evidence for the adoption of spinning with the ’spindle and whorl' device," according to newly published research in PLOS ONE. The wheel-shaped stones were found at Nahal Ein-Gev II in the Jordan Valley of Israel, over many years of excavations. A total of 113 perforated stones have been discovered in the area since 1972. Of those stones found, 48 of them had complete perforation, 36 were broken items with partial holes present and 29 were unfinished items with one or two drill marks, according to the research. MOM, SON DIG UP ANCIENT OBJECT OFTEN FOUND NEAR BURIAL GROUNDS WHILE GARDENING The stones were "dominantly limestone," co-authors Talia Yasuv and Leore Grosman of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem wrote in their published research, ranging in weight from 1 to 34 grams. Researchers came up with several theories about what these perforated stones could be. "An initial thought was they may have been related to fishing," Yasuv told Fox News Digital in an email. Researchers ultimately came to the conclusion that, because of the shape of the stones, the material, plus the shape and size of the holes made, that they were most likely spindle whorls. ARCHAEOLOGISTS FIND SEVERAL ROCK CARVINGS OF ANCIENT BOARD GAME DATING BACK 4,000 YEARS High-resolution 3D models were used in this research to study the stones in much more detail. "For the naked eye, the collection of stones seems highly variable, with no standardization in the sense that every stone in the assemblage is different and unique," Yashuv said. "However, the 3D analysis pointed out morphological parameters that showed there are standard measures — for example, width/length ratio, a central location of the centre of mass, the fact that the perforations were located at that point too, and that the minimal width of the perforation is at a constant measure," Yashuv continued. The authors of the study noted that their theory could be strengthened by "use wear analysis," but explained that the particular method was "beyond the scope of the present article." FLORIDA PROFESSOR FIND EVIDENCE THAT ANCIENT EGYPTIANS DRANK HALLUCINOGENIC COCKTAILS What was done as part of this study, beyond 3D modeling, was a feasibility test to test the functionality of the items as ancient spindle whorls. This was done with the help of Yonit Kristal, a traditional craft-making expert, per the study. "Although those parameters pointed to the functionality of spindle whorls, we were left with a doubt and therefore ran a feasibility test with replicas we produced," Yashuv said. Though Kristal's first initial attempt didn't work well, the authors explained in their research, she eventually was able to spin both wool and flax using the pebbles as spindle whorls. "Surprisingly, the experiment demonstrated that not only do the replicas function well as spindle whorls, but that the parameters we suspected as disadvantageous were actually beneficial for this purpose," Yashuv said. Yashuv believes that this discovery is bigger than just a matter of "who's first." "The ‘earliest’ spindle whorl could easily become irrelevant when an additional earlier find will be found," Yashuv pointed out. "However, since we suggest an explanation to how come the innovation disappeared, if an earlier find would be retrieved, it could join into the general scheme we presented." Through the multistep process of studying the perforated rocks, the researchers came to the conclusion that these items could have been spindle whorls that were used to spin fibers. "In a cumulative evolutionary trend, they manifest early phases of the development of rotational technologies by laying the mechanical principle of the wheel and axle," the researcher wrote in their study. "All in all, it reflects on the technological innovations that played an important part in the Neolithization processes of the Southern Levant."

Opponents of a defeated California ballot measure to raise the state's minimum wage said voters made the right call in pushing back against a proposal that would otherwise have resulted in higher inflation. Proposition 32, which would have raised California's minimum wage to $18 per hour, was narrowly beaten back as only 49.2% of voters supported the proposed hike. The current minimum wage in the state is $16 per hour. Fast-food restaurants with 60 or more locations are already mandated to pay their employees at least $20 per hour. NEWSOM: CRITICS SAID CA WAGE INCREASE WOULD BE A JOB-KILLER; THE OPPOSITE HAPPENED "Basic economics shows that raising the minimum wage ultimately drives up inflation and unemployment, predictably hurting workers and families," Republican State Sen. Brian Jones, the upper chamber's minority leader, told Fox News Digital. "More inflation and higher costs are the last things we need right now. Californians made the right call to reject Prop 32 and protect financial stability." Business groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, California Restaurant Association and California Grocers Association opposed the measure, saying high labor costs would hurt small businesses. Chamber of Commerce CEO Jennifer Barrera told The Associated Press that the economy and personal costs were top of mind in the election, a message that resonated with the voters. John Kabateck, the California director for the National Federation of Independent Business, said minimum wage hikes amid a period of inflation would have added to the current economic woes many residents already face. "At the end of the day, this really came down to affordability for Californians already struggling," Kabateck told Fox News Digital. "People realized a higher minimum wage was not going to make their bad situation that much better." TOP REPUBLICANS WARN NEWSOM HIS OIL REFINING PHASE-OUT ENDANGERS MILITARY READINESS Prop 32 was authored by startup entrepreneur Joseph Sanberg, an anti-poverty advocate and major investor in Blue Apron, the ingredient-and-recipe meal kit company. "The time is now, because the pandemic has heightened the people’s understanding of the realities so many Californians face," Sanberg said in his official ballot argument. "Cost of living is rising faster and faster... but wages haven’t increased commensurately." Fox News Digital has reached out to Sanberg and various trade groups. Sanberg was heavily involved in spearheading Prop 32. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Jones called the measure a failed "publicity stunt" hatched by Sanberg that was part of "his pattern of misleading Californians." "Known for posing as an environmentalist while facing scrutiny for dubious claims, Sanberg shifted tactics by pushing a minimum wage hike and falsely branding himself as a champion of the working class," he said. "Californians saw through his deception and rightly rejected his Prop 32 that would have decimated our economy." Kabateck said policymakers in Sacremento didn't seem to be in touch with small business owners and voters struggling to get by. "At the end of the day, who doesn't want a few dollars in their pocket? But at what cost?" he said.

Republican leaders from Congress expressed "serious concern" with the Mountain West Conference about transgender women participating in women's sports. Thirteen officials signed a letter to Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, urging the conference to prohibit transgender athletes from playing against biological women. "We write with serious concerns about the safety and fair competition standards for female athletes participating in the Mountain West Conference," the letter, signed by members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, says. The letter was sent amid controversy at San Jose State University, where Blaire Fleming, a transgender woman, plays for the women's volleyball team. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Several teams have forfeited games against the Spartans this season. "Title IX was established over 50 years ago to even the playing field for women. Since its implementation, women have participated in safer and fairer competition — but recent events have shown this is at risk," the letter states. "Recently, members of your conference have forfeited games, risking their competitive standings to ensure the safety of their female athletes. The Mountain West Conference’s failure to prohibit biological males from competing in women’s sports is unfair to the women and girls who have worked tirelessly to compete at the collegiate level. We applaud the bravery of these female athletes and the universities in our home states for taking a stand to preserve Title IX when the Mountain West Conference would not. "Permitting biological men to play in women’s sports is not equitable; it is an injustice. Under these guidelines, it is only fair that biological males play men’s sports and biological females play women’s sports. Clearly, the Mountain West Conference has dropped the ball. "Life isn’t fair, but sports should be. We urge you to address these inequities in women’s sports in the Mountain West Conference immediately, and we look forward to working with you to support women in collegiate sports." Fleming has been one of the top players in the conference and an offensive anchor for San Jose State this season, even amid the controversy. Fleming is third in the conference in average kills per serve with 3.86 and amassed 297 total kills on the year despite playing seven fewer games than expected due to forfeits. It's helped give San Jose State the third best hitting percentage in the Mountain West. Fleming's teammate, Brooke Slusser, is a part of the lawsuit against the NCAA, and she filed another suit alongside other Mountain West players against the conference over the alleged presence of her transgender teammate. Slusser has alleged the school deliberately hid Fleming's natural birth sex from her and other players on the team and around the conference. San Jose State has repeatedly defended the presence of Fleming on the team. "Our athletes all comply with NCAA and Mountain West Conference policies and are eligible to play under the rules of those organizations. Our volleyball team members have earned the right to compete, and we are deeply disappointed for them and with them that they are being denied those opportunities through cancellations and forfeits. We are also proud of how they have persevered through these challenges on the court," a statement provided to Fox News Digital by a university spokesperson said. Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.