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Trevor Bauer leads league in strikeouts after following no-hitter with 10-strikeout performance for Ducks

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Trevor Bauer leads league in strikeouts after following no-hitter with 10-strikeout performance for Ducks


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Trevor Bauer, the former Cy Young Award winner and MLB All-Star, had quite the follow-up to his no-hitter he threw for the Long Island Ducks during his most recent outing on Saturday night.

Bauer struck out 10 hitters, while walking just one, in the Ducks’ 6-1 victory over the Lexington Legends in front of a sellout home crowd on May 2. He allowed six hits and one run across 101 pitches for the Ducks.

With his 10 strikeouts, Bauer now leads the Atlantic League in strikeouts after three starts.

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Long Island Ducks pitcher Trevor Bauer, the former MLB Cy Young Award winner, struck out 10 against the Lexington Legends in his latest Atlantic League start. (Long Island Ducks)

Bauer’s agent, Rachel Luba, pointed out on social media that Bauer was topping out his fastball at 98 mph as well.

A common theme now for Bauer is also making sure to stop for autographs and pictures after each of his starts, which happened again on Saturday night at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.

Bauer’s previous outing saw some Ducks history, as he threw a no-hitter against the Lancaster Stormers in a scheduled seven-inning game as part of the team’s doubleheader.

It was Bauer’s second start in the United States since 2021, where he faced just one batter over the minimum in a scheduled seven-inning game of a doubleheader against the Stormers. Bauer threw 84 pitches, striking out seven hitters and walking just one to lose out on the perfect game.

TREVOR BAUER SAYS NO MLB TEAM WILL SIGN HIM DESPITE THROWING A NO-HITTER AND OFFERING TO PLAY FOR FREE

Bauer unleashed a roar on the mound after a called strike three to notch the third no-hitter in Ducks history. In this win over the Legends, Bauer was seen doing his patented “sword” celebration as he was feeling it on the mound with double-digit strikeouts.

Bauer said he looked forward to competing in the United States and seeing fans again in his home country this season shortly after he signed with the Ducks. Bauer pitched in Japan in both 2023 and 2025, while a stint in Mexico came in 2024. He pitched to a 2.59 ERA and 9.2 K/9 in Japan in 2023, and in Mexico, those numbers improved to 2.48 and 13.0. Last year in Japan, though, his ERA shot up to 4.41, and he struck out just 8.2 batters per nine innings.

Bauer is certainly enjoying the competition, too, as he looked comfortable on the mound. After his first start on April 21, an American League team scout in attendance believed Bauer to be “a guy who can help” an MLB club. After all, Bauer continues his grind to get back to the height of major league play like he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers before being hit with sexual assault allegations.

This June will mark five years since Bauer, as the reigning Cy Young Award winner, last appeared in an MLB game. On June 28 of that year, he tossed six innings of two-run ball while striking out eight batters, recording the win.

Trevor Bauer pitches

Trevor Bauer pitches for the Long Island Ducks for the third time this season — a 6-1 victory over the Lexington Legends in the Atlantic League. (Long Island Ducks)

Two days later, Bauer was hit with sexual assault allegations, which eventually led to a 324-game suspension (the equivalent of two seasons). It was eventually reduced to 184 games for violating the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.

Bauer has maintained his innocence, settling with one accuser while another is facing 16 years in prison after being charged with fraud for faking a pregnancy and asking Bauer for money for an abortion.

Bauer and Lindsey Hill, who accused the pitcher of beating and sexually abusing her in 2021, settled their case without any exchange of money in late 2023. Bauer revealed texts from Hill, who said that Bauer would be her “next victim,” among other damning messages. Hill has since said that MLB has more evidence of Bauer’s alleged misconduct.

Last June, Hill was ordered to pay Bauer more than $300,000 for violating the terms of their settlement agreement by stating on a podcast and on social media that she received money from the pitcher despite the agreement specifying no money was exchanged, per Reuters. 

Nearly two years ago, Bauer said he “may have no other choice” but to sue Major League Baseball “if I continue being kept out” of the league. Bauer has said he’d “play for the league minimum,” but he has yet to sign with an MLB team.

Trevor Bauer reacts to strikeout

Trevor Bauer performs his signature “sword” celebration after securing a strikeout for the Long Island Ducks in Saturday’s 6-1 win over the Lexington Legends. (Long Island Ducks)

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Bauer has since called out MLB after Pete Rose and other deceased former players were taken off the league’s permanently ineligible list.

“So, since Pete is welcome back now, does that go for everyone who has been blackballed?” Bauer asked on X. “Or do you actually have to be guilty of something to qualify for that?”

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.





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Leipzig: Two killed and many injured after car driven into crowd

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Leipzig: Two killed and many injured after car driven into crowd



A 33-year-old German citizen was detained following the incident, the authorities say.



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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reach settlement in

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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reach settlement in


Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have reached a settlement in the lawsuit brought by the actress over allegations of sexual harassment on the set of the movie “It Ends With Us.”

“It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online,” attorneys for the involved parties said in a joint statement.

A federal judge in New York had previously tossed out Lively’s sexual harassment claims, originally brought in 2024, but left intact two retaliation claims and said some sexual harassment allegations may be put to a jury to support those claims.

Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, had countersued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. Those claims were dismissed last June.

A trial on the remaining claims had been set to begin later this month.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.




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Patients remain cancer-free nearly 3 years after receiving experimental immunotherapy

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Patients remain cancer-free nearly 3 years after receiving experimental immunotherapy


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All participants in a trial of bowel cancer patients remained cancer-free nearly three years after receiving an experimental treatment.

Led by researchers at University College London and UCL Hospitals, the study suggests that a short course of immunotherapy before surgery could produce better results than the current standard of care for certain patients.

The trial focused on 32 patients with stage 2 or 3 bowel cancer. These patients had tumors with a specific genetic profile called MMR-deficient or MSI-high, according to a press release.

EATING MORE OF CERTAIN TYPE OF FOOD COULD SHORTEN CANCER SURVIVORS’ LIVES, STUDY FINDS

This profile, which is found in about 10% to 15% of bowel cancer cases, indicates a faulty DNA repair system in the body, the researchers noted. However, scientists hypothesized, that could make it easier for immunotherapy drugs to find and attack the tumors.

The drug shrank tumors so effectively that 59% of patients had no signs of cancer left by their surgery date. (iStock)

Instead of receiving standard chemotherapy after surgery, these patients were given a drug called pembrolizumab before their operations. The treatment lasted up to nine weeks.

Early data showed that the drug shrank tumors so effectively that 59% of patients had no signs of cancer left by the time they went in for surgery.

The latest data confirms that 33 months later, none of those patients have seen a return of the disease, including those who still had small traces of cancer remaining after surgery that never grew or spread again.

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“Seeing that no patients have experienced a cancer recurrence after almost three years of follow-up is extremely encouraging, and strengthens our confidence that pembrolizumab is a safe and highly effective treatment to improve outcomes in patients with high-risk bowel cancers,” said chief investigator Dr. Kai-Keen Shiu, a consultant medical oncologist at UCLH and associate professor at UCL, in the release.

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With the traditional approach of surgery followed by chemotherapy, about 25% of patients with this genetic profile would see their cancer return within three years, according to the study.

Man sitting in clinic during appointment with STD specialist

The study was a small trial with only 32 people and only looked at a specific genetic subset of patients. (iStock)

The research team also used personalized blood tests to monitor the patients. These tests look for tiny fragments of tumor DNA in the bloodstream, allowing doctors to determine whether the treatment was working before the surgery.

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“When tumor DNA disappeared from the blood, patients were much more likely to have no cancer remaining, and this matched the long-term results we’re now seeing,” said first author Yanrong Jiang, a clinical PhD student at the UCL Cancer Institute, in the release.

The study did have limitations, the researchers noted. It was a small trial with only 32 people and only looked at a specific genetic subset of patients, which means the results may not apply to everyone with bowel cancer.

Doctor talking to a patient in a hospital ward

“We now may be able to predict who will respond to the treatment using personalized blood tests and immune profiling,” said one of the members of the research team. (iStock)

Doctors also need to follow the patients for a longer period to ensure that the cancer doesn’t return, they added.

Even so, the researchers shared their optimism about the future of personalized care.

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“What is particularly exciting is that we now may be able to predict who will respond to the treatment using personalized blood tests and immune profiling,” Shiu said.

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“These tools could help us tailor our approach, identifying patients who are doing well and may need less therapy before and after surgery.”

The results were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego last month.

Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health. 



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How much does a Met Gala ticket cost in 2026? Here’s a look at the invite-only event.

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How much does a Met Gala ticket cost in 2026? Here’s a look at the invite-only event.


“Fashion’s biggest night” is also shaping up to be one of fashion’s most expensive nights, with tickets for the Met Gala on Monday night now in the six-figure range for the first time in the event’s nearly 80-year history.

The annual event, known for showcasing extravagant, sometimes outlandish red-carpet looks by celebrity attendees, celebrates the opening of the spring exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The theme of this year’s event is “Fashion is Art,” inspired by the forthcoming “Costume Art” exhibit, which explores the “relationship between clothing and the body beneath,” according to Vogue.

The exclusive event brings together famous figures from the worlds of sports, film, music and other domains. The latest gala is being sponsored by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, whom the Met has named as honorary chairs. This year’s official co-chairs are Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour.

How much do Met Gala tickets cost?

Tickets to the Met Gala are not available for public sale — you have to be invited. For those who do get an invite, tickets to the 2026 Met Gala cost $100,000 each — that’s up from $75,000 last year. A table of 10 starts at $350,000.

Some celebrities could get a free ride to the event, as fashion design houses sometimes buy a table and cover the costs for a select number of people, a former attendee previously told CBS News.

Diana Ross at the Met Gala on May 5, 2025, where the theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

Dimitrios Kambouris


Around 400 guests are expected to attend this year’s event.

What is the money for?

The proceeds from the gala support the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. In 2025, the event raised $31 million, according to Vogue.

The Met did not respond to a request for comment about how much Bezos and Sanchez are contributing to the event. The Amazon founder, who also owns rocket company Blue Origin and the Washington Post, has a net worth of $286 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos at the 2024 Met Gala on May 6, 2024.

Kevin Mazur/MG24


Bezos’s connection to the event has sparked backlash from the activist group Everyone Hates Elon, which posted an Instagram video of its members hacking subway display cases to post anti-billionaire messages.

Who isn’t attending?

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who ran on a platform of making the Big Apple more affordable, and his wife, Rama Duwaji, will be noticeably absent from the 2026 Met Gala. Former NYC mayors Eric Adams, Bill de Blasio and Mike Bloomberg all attended the event during their terms. 

When did the Met Gala start?

The Met Gala, which started as a midnight supper club, dates back to 1948. But elaborate themed galas didn’t come along until 25 years later, with the “The World of Balenciaga” exhibit in 1973. 

Since then, the Metropolitan Museum has honored the creative work of famous designers like Karl Lagerfeld, explored the influence of medieval art through its “Heavenly Bodies” exhibit and even delved into the anti-establishment mindset — not usually an idea on display at the gala — with an event centered on the punk movement.

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Spirit Airlines says it has refunded most customers after shutting down

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Spirit Airlines says it has refunded most customers after shutting down


Spirit Airlines said it has reimbursed most customers with flight tickets after the budget carrier ceased operations. 

The airline is still processing a “small percentage” of customer refunds, Spirit told CBS News. 

Spirit announced early Saturday that it had “started an orderly wind-down of operations” after efforts to obtain a $500 million federal bailout failed. The airline pledged to automatically process refunds for any flight purchased with a credit or debit card. 

Who is eligible for a refund?

Under federal law, consumers are entitled to refunds when a business fails to deliver a purchased service, Eric Rosen, director of travel content at The Points Guy, explained. By contrast, he said Spirit customers who paid cash for a ticket or used airline loyalty points are not eligible for a refund, noting that such points can’t be transferred to another airline’s rewards program.

Spirit said Saturday that compensation for passengers who booked flights with a voucher, credit or Spirit points “will be determined at a later date through the bankruptcy process.”

Can other airlines help?

Some other airlines stepped up to help Spirit passengers whose flights were canceled. United Airlines, which offered so-called rescue fares to stranded Spirit passengers, said it rebooked some 14,000 Spirit customers on its own flights. The company is also offering special fares to Spirit customers through May 16.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines also announced limited-time discounted fares for stranded Spirit customers.

Spirit’s exit from the market leaves room for airlines to replace service on some routes and grab market share. On Monday, just two days after Spirit’s official demise, JetBlue added 11 new routes from Fort Lauderdale and announced a “status match” for Spirit Frequent Flyers. 

For a limited time, JetBlue is granting Spirit Airlines loyalty members equivalent status at JetBlue. 

Data from YouGov, a market research and analytics firm, suggests that legacy carriers such as American and United are best positioned to get business from Spirit fliers. Roughly 27% of Spirit customers also flew with United over the past year, while 25% also booked flights on American Airlines. 

Could Spirit’s collapse raise ticket prices?

James Ferrara, CEO of travel advisory company InteleTravel, told CBS News that Spirit’s collapse will send “shockwaves” through the airline industry, affecting many travelers — not just former Spirit customers. That’s because competition from budget airlines helps keep fares in check for all travelers. 

“Their presence has historically forced legacy airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines to remain competitive on pricing, particularly on high-traffic leisure routes,” he said. “Without that pressure, we could see upward pricing trends accelerate, especially in markets where low-cost competition disappears.”

A rise in airfares could price some travelers out of the market, Ferrara said. 

“When an ultra-low-cost carrier like Spirit Airlines suddenly halts operations, it doesn’t just strand passengers physically. It creates a ripple effect across pricing, availability and consumer confidence,” he said. “Travelers who relied on Spirit for affordable fares are now forced into a much tighter marketplace, often at significantly higher last-minute prices.”

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Russia declares a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day

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Russia declares a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day


Russia’s Defense Ministry declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine for Friday and Saturday to mark the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, but it threatened to strike back at Kyiv if it tries to disrupt the Victory Day festivities.

The Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday that it hoped Ukraine “will follow suit” on the ceasefire for Russia’s most important secular holiday. There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian authorities.

Authorities last week decided to pare down the traditional military parade on Moscow’s Red Square, citing concerns over possible Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine has been launching drone attacks deep inside Russia to counter its more than 4-year-old invasion.

The Defense Ministry said if Ukraine attempts to disrupt Saturday’s celebrations, Russia will carry out a “massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv.” It warned the civilian population there and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of “the need to leave the city promptly.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week floated the idea of a ceasefire for Victory Day in a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.

For years, the Kremlin has used the pomp-filled Victory Day parade to showcase its military might and global clout, and it has been a source of patriotic pride.

But the parade in the Russian capital will take place without tanks, missiles and other military equipment for the first time in nearly two decades. Some of the smaller parades that are held elsewhere across the country have also been pared down or even canceled for security reasons.

World War II remains a rare point of consensus in Russia’s divisive history under Communist rule. The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in what it called the Great Patriotic War in 1941-45, an enormous sacrifice that left a deep scar in the national psyche.

Putin, who has ruled Russia for over 25 years, has turned Victory Day into a key pillar of his tenure and has tried to use it to justify the war in Ukraine.

Last year’s parade on the 80th anniversary drew the most global leaders to Moscow in a decade, including high-profile guests like Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Putin had declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire starting May 7, 2025, and authorities blocked cellphone internet in Moscow for several days to avert Ukrainian drone attacks.



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Tarik Skubal to undergo elbow surgery, sidelining Tigers ace for months ahead of free agency

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Tarik Skubal to undergo elbow surgery, sidelining Tigers ace for months ahead of free agency


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Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers’ ace and two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner, is set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow that will keep him sidelined for months, manager A.J. Hinch said on Monday.

Skubal isn’t done for the season, but he is expected to be out two to three months following the surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow, ESPN reported.

Hinch called it an “easy process and procedure” while delivering the news, but it’s certainly a blow to the Tigers’ staff and Skubal personally that he is sidelined for months.

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Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal watches during the Atlanta Braves game on April 29, 2026, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga. (Rich Von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)

Skubal’s arm locked up during a bullpen session on Sunday ahead of his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox on Monday night. Now, he will undergo the surgery, with Hinch providing no specific timeline for his return.

Skubal’s last start came in a 4-3 win over the league-leading Atlanta Braves this past Wednesday, where he allowed two runs on five hits across seven innings of work. He struck out seven Braves hitters during his outing.

TIGERS ACE TARIK SKUBAL WINS RECORD-BREAKING $32M IN ARBITRATION: REPORTS

However, in that game, Skubal was spotted rubbing his left arm, leading to Hinch and a Tigers trainer going to the mound to check on the pitcher. Skubal, though, remained in the game after tossing a warm-up pitch, and he went on to pitch seven strong innings.

As a result of Skubal being out, the Tigers recalled Ty Madden to the big leagues. Tyler Holton will also be making the spot start on Monday night, serving as the Tigers’ opener before Hinch needs to get creative with his bullpen.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal reacting during a game at Target Field in Minneapolis

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts after giving up a hit against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 14, 2025. (Jesse Johnson/Imagn Images)

Skubal is the latest Tigers starter to be placed on the injured list, joining Casey Mize and Justin Verlander. That leaves Framber Valdez and Jack Flaherty as the only healthy starters at the moment.

For Skubal, the timing isn’t great, especially with impending free agency looming.

Skubal won a record-breaking arbitration case this offseason, where the Tigers were told to pay the left-handed ace $32 million for the 2026 campaign after they proposed a $19 million salary. The victory beat Juan Soto’s arbitration pay by the New York Yankees in 2024 by $1 million.

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers looking on between pitches at Truist Park in Atlanta

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers between pitches during the Braves game at Truist Park in Atlanta on April 29, 2026. (Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

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But, with no long-term deal in place for Skubal, the electric starter is set to be one of the top free agents after the season, unless he and the Tigers don’t figure something out before then. It seems unlikely that will happen at this point.

All teams interested in Skubal will be watching his recovery and eventual return closely. Until then, Hinch and the Tigers will need others to step up in the meantime for the starting rotation.

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

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.





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Fake traffic violation text scam uses QR codes to steal payment info

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Fake traffic violation text scam uses QR codes to steal payment info


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Your phone buzzes. A text message pops up saying you have an outstanding traffic violation, and if you scan the attached QR code immediately, you can pay a $6.99 balance and avoid a court appearance.

It looks official. It sounds urgent. And it is completely fake.

Scammers are now targeting drivers across the U.S. with text messages that impersonate state courts, demanding payment for traffic violations that never happened. This campaign has already hit residents in New York, California, North Carolina, Illinois, Virginia, Texas, Connecticut and New Jersey, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

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Scammers send fake court texts with QR codes demanding $6.99 payments for nonexistent traffic violations. (Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images)

What makes this fake court text scam different from last year’s toll texts

You might remember the wave of smishing scams in 2025 that we reported on, which pretended to be from state toll agencies. Those texts pushed people toward phishing websites through direct links. This new variation takes a different approach, and a more convincing one.

Instead of a plain text link, these messages include an image that looks like an official court notice. It carries formal language, official-sounding headings and a QR code embedded directly in the document. The shift from a clickable link to a scannable code makes it harder for automated security tools to flag the message as dangerous.

One example Bleeping Computer shared claimed to be from the “Criminal Court of the City of New York.” The notice warned that an unpaid parking or toll violation had entered the “formal enforcement stage” and demanded immediate payment, or else an in-person court appearance. Real courts communicate through official mail, not unsolicited text messages with QR codes.

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Person typing on their laptop.

Cybercriminals target drivers nationwide with fake violation texts designed to harvest sensitive information. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

How this court impersonation text scam actually works

Scanning the QR code takes you to an intermediary page with a CAPTCHA. That step is intentional. Scammers use it to filter out security researchers and automated scanners so their phishing infrastructure stays under the radar longer.

Once you complete the CAPTCHA, you land on a site designed to look like your state’s DMV or another government agency. It presents an “unpaid balance,” always $6.99 in every case documented so far. That suspiciously round number creates urgency without raising an immediate alarm.

Clicking to pay takes you to a form that asks for your name, address, phone number, email address and credit card information. Everything you enter goes directly to the scammers. That data can fuel follow-on phishing attempts, identity theft, financial fraud or be sold outright to other bad actors.

For reference, fake New York DMV sites in this campaign have used hostnames like “ny.gov-skd[.]org” or “ny.ofkhv[.]life,” neither of which has anything to do with actual New York state government infrastructure.

Ways to stay safe from traffic violation text scams

These scams are sophisticated enough to fool a lot of people, but a few smart habits can keep you well ahead of them.

1) Never scan QR codes from unknown senders

The most important thing you can do is also the simplest: do not scan QR codes from unknown senders. If a text arrives from a number you don’t recognize, and it asks you to scan something or make a payment, treat it as suspicious until proven otherwise. State agencies across the U.S. have made their position clear. They do not send text messages requesting personal information or payment details. If you genuinely owe a fine, you will receive official correspondence through the mail with verifiable contact information.

2) Always go directly to your state’s official website

Never enter credit card information on a site you reached through a QR code in a text message. Go directly to your state’s official .gov website instead, type the address manually into your browser and look up your actual account status there. If a charge is legitimate, it will show up when you log in through the real site.

GOOGLE SEARCH LED TO A COSTLY SCAM CALL

Person looking at their phoen.

A new phishing scam impersonates U.S. courts, using QR codes to steal personal and financial data. (Anna Barclay/Getty Images)

3) Use strong antivirus software on your devices

Strong antivirus software adds a critical layer of protection that works even when you don’t. A good security app can detect phishing attempts, flag malicious sites before you enter any information and alert you to threats that arrive through text or email. Make sure your antivirus is active and updated on every device you use to open links or scan QR codes. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

4) Consider using a data removal service

If your personal information has already been exposed through a scam like this one, a data removal service can help limit the damage. These services scan data broker databases and request the removal of your name, address, phone number and other personal details that scammers rely on to target you. It won’t undo what happened, but it can reduce your exposure going forward and make it harder for bad actors to reach you again. 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.com.

5) Sign up for an identity theft protection service

This scam collects exactly the kind of information that makes identity theft possible: your name, address, phone number, email address and credit card details. An identity theft protection service monitors your accounts, credit file and personal information for suspicious activity and alerts you the moment something looks off. Some services also provide recovery assistance and insurance if your identity does get compromised, which can make an overwhelming situation a lot more manageable. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at CyberGuy.com.

6) Act fast if you have already entered your information

If you already entered your payment information on one of these sites, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute charges and request a new card number. Check your credit reports for any unusual activity and consider placing a fraud alert with one of the major credit bureaus.

7) Report the text to your carrier and the FTC

If you receive one of these texts, report it. Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM), which is the carrier reporting shortcut used across major U.S. networks. You can also file a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and alert your state’s attorney general’s office.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

This scam works because it exploits something real: the anxiety most people feel when a government notice shows up demanding action. The fake court language, the formal tone and the embedded QR code all contribute to an experience designed to short-circuit your skepticism. But the tells are there if you look. No legitimate court sends text message ultimatums with QR codes. No state DMV asks you to scan an image from a stranger’s phone number to pay a $6.99 balance. When something feels urgent and slightly off, that combination is usually the scam talking.

If a court could send you a text message threatening legal action for less than the cost of a coffee, and millions of people might actually pay it, what does that tell us about how little most of us actually trust ourselves to spot a scam in the moment? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com. 

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.



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Timothée Chalamet faces Met Gala dilemma as his Knicks start playoff series at MSG

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Timothée Chalamet faces Met Gala dilemma as his Knicks start playoff series at MSG


Timothée Chalamet will once again have to choose between his partner, Kylie Jenner, and his beloved New York Knicks on Monday as the team’s first game of their second-round playoffs series clashes with the Met Gala.

Last year, Jenner, 28, walked the storied Fifth Avenue steps solo as Chalamet, 30, stayed home to watch the Knicks play the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their series.

In a subsequent podcast appearance, the Marty Supreme star said he was too “locked in” with the Knicks to attend fashion’s biggest night with his partner of three years.

“That Knicks run last year, I think that was the most fun period of my life. Those four months, I’m not even kidding. Just the Garden being electric,” he explained.

On Monday, the Knicks will take on the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden — just a few miles downtown from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Dilemma: Timothée Chalamet will have to choose between attending the Met Gala with his partner, Kylie Jenner (left), or watching the Knicks at Madison Square Garden (Getty Images)
Jenner attended last year’s Met Gala alone after Chalamet opted to stay home and watch the Knicks instead
Jenner attended last year’s Met Gala alone after Chalamet opted to stay home and watch the Knicks instead (Getty)

At the Met Gala, reality star and beauty mogul Jenner has become part of the furniture, attending nearly every year since 2016. Her famous family — the Kardashian-Jenners — have long been among the event’s most reliable headline-makers.

Meanwhile, Chalamet has become a similar staple at the Garden, where he’s regularly seen courtside on Celebrity Row, celebrating emphatically with the team — often with Jenner alongside him.

Last year, he was even filmed taking part in wild celebrations on the street after the Knicks defeated the Celtics to reach their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years. “It’s official, he’s the king of New York,” one person eulogized on social media at the time.

Another Knicks superfan who may face a similar dilemma this evening is Spike Lee. Last year, the BlacKkKlansman director faced backlash from sports fans after missing the Knicks’ win over the Celtics to attend the Gala, the theme of which last year was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

Despite wearing his Knicks cap on the red carpet, Lee received blowback online, with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina writing: “Spike Lee blowing off the Knicks game for the Met Gala is his second worst move ever after taunting Reggie Miller.”

The feud between Miller and Lee peaked in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, when Miller gave Lee a “choke” gesture, leading to a legendary on-court taunting battle.

“He went to the Met Gala? Come on man you can’t be super fan for everything from St. John’s to the Liberty and then skip game 1 against the Celtics to get photographed w a bunch of a**holes,” wrote another on X last year.

Spike Lee — arguably the most famous of all Knicks fans — faced backlash last year after skipping a playoff game for the Met Gala
Spike Lee — arguably the most famous of all Knicks fans — faced backlash last year after skipping a playoff game for the Met Gala (Getty)
Keeping it in the family: Jenner has been seen supporting the Knicks — and her boyfriend — in recent years
Keeping it in the family: Jenner has been seen supporting the Knicks — and her boyfriend — in recent years (Getty)

If Chalamet does opt for the “Oscars of fashion” instead of the Knicks, he could face similar blowback. The Dune star has only attended the Gala once, as co-chair in 2021, meaning it might not be the top of his priorities.

However, Jenner has supported the actor at multiple premieres and awards ceremonies over the past year, as he has been on the awards circuit for Josh Safdie’s ping pong drama Marty Supreme. Leaving her to go it alone at the Met might invite a different kind of criticism altogether.

Attending both doesn’t seem to be an option; the Knicks tip off at 8pm ET, while the red carpet begins at 6pm. For a celebrity of Chalamet’s magnitude, arriving and leaving early isn’t really an option (last year, Rihanna kept everyone waiting till the cleaners were on the carpet), and by the time the game is done, the Gala’s secrecy-shrouded proceedings will be well underway.

For now, Chalamet has yet to publicly declare his decision. But whichever way he leans, someone will be disappointed — whether it’s the fashion gatekeepers, his girlfriend, or a Knicks fanbase that has suffered enough.



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