A federal appeals court has delayed Friday's scheduled military court hearing where suspected 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-conspirators were expected to plead guilty as part of a deal negotiated with prosecutors. 

The pause, though welcomed by the many who opposed the plea deals, prolongs a decades-long crusade for justice by the victims' families. 

The plea deals, which would have three 9/11 terrorists avoid the death penalty and face life in prison, have drawn sharp outcry from the public and even prompted a dispute within the Biden administration to undo them. 

On New Year’s Eve, a military appeals court shot down Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's effort to block the deal between military prosecutors and defense lawyers, saying Austin did not have the power to cancel plea agreements.

Then, on Wednesday, the Department of Justice appealed that ruling. 

Specifically, the court opinion said the plea deals reached by military prosecutors and defense attorneys were valid and enforceable and that Austin exceeded his authority when he later tried to nullify them.

The defense now has until Jan. 17 to offer a full response to the Department of Justice's request to have the plea deals thrown out. Government prosecutors then have until Jan. 22 for a rebuttal, with possible oral arguments on the issue to follow. 

The plea deals, offered to Mohammed and two co-conspirators, were meant as a way to wrap up the quest for justice to those who have been waiting more than two decades to see the terrorists that killed their loved ones convicted. They would allow prosecutors to avoid going to trial.

But why did the government settle for a plea deal after 23 years of building a case in the first place? 

BIDEN ADMIN SENDS 11 GUANTANAMO DETAINEES TO OMAN FOR RESETTLEMENT

"I haven't spoken to a single person who thinks these plea deals were a good idea. Most people are horrified," said Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice. 

"It's our thought that this was rescinded in name only and like it was done right before the election. So, Austin was trying to save any attempts at sort of a political loss on this," said Eagleson.

In its appeal this week, the government says, "Respondents are charged with perpetrating the most egregious criminal act on American soil in modern history — the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"The military commission judge intends to enforce pretrial plea agreements that will deprive the government and the American people of a public trial as to the respondents’ guilt and the possibility of capital punishment, despite the fact that the Secretary of Defense has lawfully withdrawn those agreements," the appeal said. "The harm to the government and the public will be irreparable once the judge accepts the pleas, which he is scheduled to do in hearings beginning on January 10, 2025."

The appeal also noted that once the military commission accepts the guilty pleas, there is likely no way to return to the status quo.

Defense lawyers for the suspected 9/11 perpetrators argued Austin’s attempts to throw out the plea deals that his own military negotiated and approved were the latest developments in the "fitful" and "negligent" mishandling of the case that has dragged on for more than two decades. 

If the plea deal is upheld, the architects of the attacks that killed 2,976, plus thousands more who died after inhaling toxic dust in rescue missions, will not be put to death for their crimes.

"You would think that the government has an opportunity to make right, and you would think that they would be salivating at the opportunity to bring us justice," Eagleson said. "Rather than doing that, they shroud everything in secrecy. They're rushing to get these plea deals done, and they're marching forward despite the objections of us.

"We want transparency. We want the discovery that's been produced. In this case, we want to know who are these guys they're talking to? On what grounds does our government think that these guys are guilty? Why can't they share that with us? It's been 23 years. You can't tell me that you need to protect national security sources and methods because, quite frankly, if we're using the same sources and methods that we were 23 years ago, we have bigger fish to fry." 

The government opted to try five men in one case instead of each individually. Mohammed is accused of masterminding the plot and proposing it to Usama bin Laden. Two others allegedly helped the hijackers with finances. 

In 2023, a medical panel concluded that Ramzi bin al-Shibh was not competent to stand trial and removed him from the case. Mohammed, Mustafa al-Hawsawi and Walid bin Attash, are all part of the plea agreement that will allow them to avoid the death penalty. One other will go to trial.  

"The military commission has really been a failure," said John Ryan, a retired agent on the FBI's joint terrorism task force in New York. 

TOP REPUBLICANS ROLL OUT BILL THAT WOULD UNDO 9/11 PLEA DEALS

Hundreds of people have been convicted of terrorism charges in the U.S. Ramzi Yousef, the perpetrator of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was convicted in 1997.

But the military commission’s 9/11 case has faced a revolving door of judges, who then each take time to get up to speed with the 400,000 pages and exhibits in the case. Col. Matthew N. McCall of the Air Force, the fourth judge to preside over hearings in the case, intends to retire in the first quarter of 2025 before any trial begins. 

McCall was assigned to the case in August 2021, and he held only two rounds of hearings before suspending the proceedings in March 2022 for plea negotiations. Another judge would have to get up to speed, and it could be another five to 10 years before a conviction, according to Ryan, who observed many of the hearings at Guantánamo. 

"You have parents and grandparents [of victims] that now are in their 80s, you know, and want to see justice in their lifetime," he said. 

"So, they would prefer to see the death penalty, but they’re sort of accepting the plea agreement here." 

In the 23 years it’s taken to go to trial, critical witnesses have died, while others have waning memories of that fateful day. 

For many years, the trial was delayed as the prosecution and the defense argued over whether some of the government’s best evidence, obtained under torture by the CIA, was permissible in court. The defense argued their clients had been conditioned to say anything that would please interrogators under this practice. 

Former Attorney General Eric Holder has blamed "political hacks" for preventing a U.S.-based trial and thereby leading to the plea deal. 

Years of proceedings in the untested military commissions system have led to countless delays. 

Holder in 2009 had wanted to try the men in the Manhattan court system and promised to seek the death penalty, but he faced swift opposition in Congress from lawmakers who opposed bringing the suspected terrorists onto U.S. soil. 

In 2013, Holder claimed Mohammed and his co-conspirators would be sitting on "death row as we speak" if the case had gone through the federal court system as he proposed. 

Ten years later, Attorney General William Barr also tried to bring the Guantánamo detainees to the U.S. for a trial in federal court in 2019. He wrote in his memoir that the military commission process had become a "hopeless mess." 

"The military can’t seem to get out of its own way and complete the trial," Barr wrote. He, too, ran into opposition from Republicans in Congress and then-President Trump. 

The NFL announced Thursday that a playoff game between the Vikings and Rams, originally scheduled for Southern California, will be played in Arizona.

The NFL announced the contingency plan Wednesday, and Monday night’s wild-card contest will be played at the home of the Arizona Cardinals.

This marks the third game in Los Angeles to be affected this week. A Kings game and a Lakers game were postponed due to the flames.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The game was moved "in the interest of public safety," the NFL said in a statement. "The decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs, and the NFLPA."

The game's time is still the same, kicking off at 8 p.m. ET.

The Rams had a scheduled off day Wednesday, though the Los Angeles Chargers, who share SoFi Stadium and head to Houston for a wild-card game Saturday, limited players’ time outside during practice due to poor air quality. 

State Farm Stadium has played a similar role in the past. In 2003, the Dolphins and Chargers played in Glendale due to wildfires in San Diego. During the COVID season in 2020, the 49ers played three "home" games there.

Several active wildfires, including the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, have devastated communities in the Los Angeles area, including Pacific Palisades and Altadena. The fires have burned nearly 30,000 acres during a Santa Ana wind event, with at least 130,000 people in the area under evacuation orders. At least five people have been killed in the fires, and more than 1,000 buildings have been destroyed.

This week's wildfires brought new attention to the issue of insurers no longer taking on new policies or declining to renew previous policies in California communities at high risk of wildfires. And prominent entertainment figures called out the moves.

The Los Angeles Times noted the city has not had at least one-tenth of an inch of rain since May 5.

Fox News' Eric Revell and Scott Thompson contributed to this report.

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

Mike Clay's projection system reveals his top 20 predicted touchdown scorers for wild-card weekend in the NFL.

Throughout the ongoing wildfires, California officials have relied on emergency alerts to communicate with citizens. This system is an important way for officials to communicate with citizens instantly across iPhone and Android devices.

On Thursday evening, however, a wildfire evacuation alert went out to everyone in Los Angeles – even though it was only meant for a subset of residents.

more…

What had been a promising debut season ends far sooner than it should.

The reality star shared a series of posts calling out the cities officials.

Pamela Anderson, star of 'Last Showgirl,' gave an update on her relationship with her ex Tommy Lee.

The 'Selling Sunset' star and his agents are offering their help to those impacted by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles

The couple announced they welcomed their second daughter, Liko’ula Pā’ūomahinakaipiha Browne.

Stock up on comfy sweaters, midi skirts, and flared jeans

'The Traitors' contestant Sam Asghari confirmed his relationship with Brooke Irvine on New Year’s Day in 2025

Some moderate House Democrats are keeping the door open to supporting the massive tax, border and energy package President-elect Trump and Republicans are concocting — if the price is right.

Why it matters: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has virtually no room for error to pass the bill along party lines, and some of his right-wing hardliners are harshly conditioning their votes.

---

• "One of several, for me, 'bright lines,' 'red lines,' however you want to say it, is deficit reduction," Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) told reporters on Thursday.
• That could be a heavy lift with Republicans planning trillions in tax cut extensions, on top of funding for things like enhanced border security.

What we're hearing: The main way Republicans could try to entice some breakaway Democratic support is through raising the $10,000 cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.

• That would put money directly into the pockets of suburbanites in high-tax blue states like California, New York and New Jersey.
• "I'm not going to say what I will support or not support until I see the specifics, but I think SALT is critically important ... and this is a huge opportunity to bring SALT back fully," said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.).
• Rep. George Latimer (D-N.Y.) told Axios, "Obviously I like full SALT restoration, but let's see where the negotiations take us. ... The doors are open for whatever helps."

State of play: Some of the House GOP's most ardent advocates for SALT, like Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), are pushing hard to include a generous provision in the bill and are going to Mar-a-Lago this weekend to make their case.

• Trump said on the 2024 campaign trail he would reverse the SALT cap that was part of the 2017 tax bill he signed into law.
• But the high price tag of that policy could make it a tough sell for deficit hawks like Roy, who told reporters, "Obviously, if you significantly lift or eliminate the cap, there's a fairly significant impact in terms of revenues."

The intrigue: Some of the other centrist Democrats who may be inclined to give the package a fair look would be turned off by the inclusion of a strong SALT provision.

• Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), who represents a working-class, rural district, told Axios he would support the bill "if there's stuff in there that's good for Maine or that I like."
• But, he added, "I don't like SALT. It's just a huge giveaway to the top 10%, and I care about the deficit. So that's a bad start."

Reality check: Extending the Trump tax cuts could ultimately be a bridge too far for most Democrats, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) calling the package the "GOP tax scam part two" at a press conference on Wednesday.

• "Wasting trillions of dollars on tax giveaways to the super-wealthy is offensive on its face," said centrist Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio).
• Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) said it would be "very hard to support a tax bill that reduces corporate taxes, that doesn't put the top rate back to where it was."

Johnson, asked by Axios if he is willing to work with Democrats on the legislation, said: "We welcome all Democrats to vote for a good package. This is going to be great legislation. It's an America First agenda, but it follows common sense."

• Trump appears to be willing to take Democratic input: Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) told reporters Thursday he plans to make a trek to Mar-a-Lago this weekend.

The bottom line: Even skeptical Democrats say they are ready to talk if things fall apart for Johnson and he decides to engage with them.

• "They're going to want to do this on their own," said Landsman. "If they can't because of the slim majority, obviously they're going to need our help. And that's when the bipartisan magic happens."

With wind speeds falling, firefighting reinforcements arriving from out of state, and more water sources online, authorities now have a critical window to take control of the situation.

Megan Thee Stallion's emotional words in court are striking the right note with a judge ... who's now ordering Tory Lanez to immediately stop harassing Megan from behind bars. She testified by video Thursday in L.A. County Superior Court, telling…

David Muir is facing backlash for tailoring his flame-retardant jacket.

Fans are unhappy with ABC news anchor Muir, 51, after he seemingly used clothespins to snatch his waist while reporting on the devastating Los Angeles wildfires on Wednesday, January 8.

As Muir turned around to look at the destruction behind him during a newscast, viewers noticed clothespins on the back of his coat. Social media users were quick to share their thoughts on Muir’s snatched look via X.

“People are losing everything they own, no one cares how you look,” one social media user wrote, as a second added, “David Muir is more concerned with his appearance than he is about the fires.” A third person agreed, writing, “California is burning and he doesn’t want his jacket to look baggy on camera. Priorities people!”

David Muir appears to be using clothespins to keep his jacket fitted while reporting on the devastating LA fires

Video via @JackOsbourne pic.twitter.com/EnaD1YFW8o

— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) January 9, 2025

While some fans thought it was unnecessary for Muir to be concerned about his outfit during a devastating natural weather event, others defended the World News Tonight anchor. 
“Y’all leave David Muir and his clothespin fire jacket alone,” one wrote. “A little waist snatchin’ ain’t hurt nobody.”

Celebrities Share Personal Photos of Heartbreaking Los Angeles Wildfires

A second fan also didn’t mind Muir’s clothespins, writing, “leave david muir ALONEEEEEEEE. He probably just clothes pinned it cuz the wind is insane there. Let him look snacky.”

The wildfires have affected many of Hollywood’s favorites, including Mandy Moore, Anna Faris, Eugene Levy, Paris Hilton and more.

Dozens of celebrities have spoken out about the fires, including Chrissy Teigen, who evacuated to a hotel with husband John Legend and their four kids: Luna, 8, Miles, 6, Esti, 23 months, and Wren, 18 months.

Which Stars Have Been Affected by the Los Angeles Fires?

She opened up about leaving her home via social media on Wednesday, sharing that she was “very scared.”

“4 dogs, 4 kids and a bearded dragon walk into a hotel,” she captioned the reel.

Check the LAFD website for local wildfire alerts and click here for resources on how to help those affected.

© Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Derick Dillard is setting the record straight about being seen with his father-in-law, Jim Bob Duggar, on Christmas.

Dillard, 35, and wife Jill Duggar, Jim Bob’s estranged daughter, were seen seated on a couch, appearing to talk to the family patriarch in an Instagram photo that Jill’s brother James Duggar, posted on Christmas Day. Jill, 33, and Dillard’s three sons — Israel, 9, Samuel, 7, and Freddie, 2 — were also pictured.

The photo led to speculation that Jim Bob, 59, and his daughter may have mended fences, but Dillard says that is not the case. In a comment via People’s Instagram on Thursday, January 9, Dillard refuted the outlet’s characterization that he and Jill were “mingling” with Jim Bob.

“Just so people know, Jim Bob approached me while we were there on Christmas Day for about 5 minutes, and I do not respect him,” he wrote. “I don’t think that is considered ‘mingling.’ There were over 100 people, the house is 8000 square feet, and Santa Claus was there, so this isn’t your typical intimate family gathering.”

Jill Duggar's Relationships With Her Mom and Dad Are in Different Places

He added that he is trying to keep things civil for the sake of the rest of the family, but that should not be misinterpreted as anything more.

“I have spoken with him less than 10 minutes since the last time we were at that house, which was over a year ago,” he continued. “We’re trying to be civil for the sake of our family, but that doesn’t mean everything is all hunky dorey, and it sure doesn’t mean that I’m not going to comment when people try to warp reality for their own purposes.”

Jill previously revealed that she shares a complicated relationship with her parents after the release of her 2023 memoir, Counting The Cost. In the book, the Counting On alum discusses her family’s involvement in the controversial Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) religion and her allegedly abusive upbringing as one of 19 kids.

“I feel like we are in a rebuilding phase now with healthy boundaries still in place,” she wrote via Instagram in November 2024. “We try to hang out whenever it works well and we have the bandwidth to navigate things.”

Jill Duggar's Ups and Downs With Her Family

She had previously revealed in January 2024 that she believed her parents were aware of her allegations in Counting The Cost.

“I’ve heard that they did [read my Counting the Cost memoir],” she said on the “Unplanned” podcast at the time. “I heard they, like, listened to it on audiobook or something. I don’t know. … They’re my parents and I’m gonna tread lightly.”

She also spoke of her family dynamic in the 2023 Prime Video docuseries, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets.

“Family relationships were already kinda rocky,” she said in the documentary. “Everything within the family dynamic has shifted, and not for the better.”

Effortless, coastal, vintage, cozy — these are just a few of the words that describe the Hampton’s rich mom aesthetic. A trend that’s gone viral in both the fashion world and TikTok, retailers now have tons of options for Us to channel the vibe — even in the winter! Get the look in the coziest way with these 17 Hampton’s-style sweaters that channel the East coast rich mom aesthetic.

While most rich mom-style fashion comes in at a designer price point, we were able to find these Hampton’s-inspired styles all under $50! We’ve found all kinds of styles that span the fashion board, whether you’re wanting an elevated style like this classic crewneck style for wearing to the office or a more cozy-casual look like this crochet style for looking extra cute while running errands. Better yet, they’ll also seamlessly transition into the spring months too and work great for travels as well.

15 Luxe-Looking Nordstrom New Arrivals to Refresh Your Closet

17 Hamptons-Chic Sweaters for That East Coast Winter Rich Mom Look — Under $50

1. Our Top Favorite: From its laid back knit design to its relaxed fit, this crochet style sweater is definitely something we can see Hampton’s rich moms wearing in the winter!

2. Stant-Out Stripes: A classic pattern on the East coast, you’ll undoubtedly receive tons of compliments in this vintage-looking striped sweater.

3. Quiet Luxury-Esque: Just like the viral trend says, this classic crewneck sweater whispers luxury without being flashy!

4. Cable Knit Classic: Another pillar of East coast fashion is cable knit sweaters like this style that features a turtleneck for extra warmth!

5. Oversized Perfection: Looking way more expensive than it is, this oversized knit cardigan is made of a goat-blend material that’s ultra soft and an effortlessly luxe oversized fit!

6. Vintage-Looking: This vintage-style sweater looks like it came from a Hampton’s vintage shop with its intricate textured design and turtle neckline.

7. Quarter Zip Queen: Be the queen of a quart zip in this half zip sweater that features a coastal striped fabric!

17 New Winter Amazon Fashion Staples to Refresh Your Wardrobe

8. Bubble Knit Beauty: Wear this bubble knit cardigan over lightweight sweaters in the winter and over tank tops in the summer!

9. Seriously Sophisticated: We can see this luxe-looking sweater pairing with everything from wide leg trousers, to leggings and even jeans too!

10. Off-the-Shoulder-Chic: Go for that effortlessly cozy vibe in this off-the-shoulder sweater that’s made with an oversized fit and seriously soft knit!

11. Collared Classic: If you end up loving this casual collared sweater, rest assured you can get it in several other Hampton’s-style colors like beige, blue and even stripes!

12. Stylish Sweater Vest: Channel the preppy style that’s an East coast classic with this chic cable knit sweater vest!

13. So Designer-Looking: With a unique design this curved hem sweater looks like it could be from a fancy designer boutique!

14. Lightweight Layer: A great transitional style, this v-neck lightweight sweater can be layered in the winter months and then worn by itself when the weather turns warmer!

15. Chunky-Chic: Add a chunky layer to your collection with this thick-knitted cardigan that’ll undoubtedly be a warm pick!

16. Amazon’s Choice: Amazon has marked this classic crewneck sweater as one of their favorites and so have we!

17. Boatneck Beauty: Considering that it’s been purchased over 1,000 times in the last month, it’s clear that shoppers are drawn toward this coastal boatneck style!

11 Sophisticated Looking Sweaters That Make You Look Like the Ultimate Rich Mom

© Edward Berthelot / Contributor

Several Making the Band alums have come forward with allegations about Sean “Diddy” Combs over the years, including Danity Kane’s Dawn Richard and Aubrey O’Day. In the new documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy, Da Band’s Sara Rivers is the latest participant to share her story.

“Sometimes people will stop short and say, ‘We’re not willing to go there,’” executive producer Ari Mark exclusively told Us Weekly of Rivers ahead of the film’s Tuesday, January 14, premiere. “Obviously, these things are so sensitive and hard to share. And she, I think, felt brave enough at that point to move forward and share the story.”

In the documentary, Rivers — who appeared on Making the Band 2 from 2002 to 2004 — shared new claims about her time working for Diddy, 55, as part of the group Da Band.

“When he got angry with one of my band members, he said, ‘You make me so mad I wanna eat your flesh,’” she alleged. “And then he said to another one of my band members, ‘You’re rolling your eyes. I could go get a crackhead and pay them $20 to smack the s— out of you.’ Who says that? That’s crazy.”

Rivers, 47, also addressed the famous moment when Diddy told Da Band to walk to Brooklyn from Manhattan to get him cheesecake from Junior’s.

“We walked for eight hours over the Brooklyn Bridge,” Rivers claimed. “We went from Manhattan to Brooklyn, walking. And so I’m doing that stuff because I’m like, ‘I ain’t gonna go home, this is what I’ve been working for.’”

Later in the film, Rivers broke down while recalling that she didn’t want to be around the rapper unless cameras were present.

“He touched me [in] a place that he shouldn’t have,” she alleged. “That was inappropriate. I felt intimidated, I felt like, ‘Oh, my God, what the heck happened just now?’ … I haven’t said anything for so long, and it’s built up — it’s been 20 years of going through my mind like, ‘This has happened, that’s happened, this was stopped.’ Mentally, [it’s] draining.”

Diddy Insiders Speak Out in Trailer for New Peacock Documentary

Mark told Us that he believes Rivers chose to speak out for the documentary because they could sense there was “authenticity” to the project.

“It’s going to get seen, it’s not going to just get buried, and I think she recognized that,” he told Us. “Hopefully, it was cathartic for her.”

While the film includes interviews with people who knew Diddy during his early years at Uptown Records, it also features conversations with people who knew him as a kid — people who knew him as simply Sean rather than Puff Daddy, Brother Love or any of the other various monikers he’s used throughout his career.

“What we try to do is we try to present the facts and hope that the audience can put those facts in the back of their head while being open-minded about this person’s backstory,” Mark explained. “And then as you unpack that story, it’s not necessarily that you start to have more empathy for that person, but you start to understand them in a more complex way and hopefully walk away from the documentary saying, ‘Wow, how do we avoid these types of situations? How do we live in a world where people like this are not created in this way?’”

Diddy did not participate in the film, but his attorneys issued a statement to producers, saying, “Sean Combs unequivocally denies the baseless allegations being circulated in connection with this documentary. Regarding the legal cases referenced, Mr. Combs will not comment on pending litigation. He will fight them in court, where the facts will be distinguished from fiction.”

In a statement to Us, Diddy’s team added, “This documentary recycles and perpetuates the same lies and conspiracy theories that have been slung against Mr. Combs for months. It is disappointing to see NBC and Peacock rolling in the same mud as unethical tabloid reporters. By providing a platform for proven liars and opportunists to make false criminal accusations, the documentary is irresponsible journalism of the worst kind.”

Danity Kane’s Dawn Accuses Diddy of Brutality and Sexual Abuse in Lawsuit

The mogul has been in jail since his September 2024 arrest on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Mark hopes that the film inspires viewers to speak out about experiences they’ve had in their own lives.

“How do we give a sort of mouthpiece for the victims so that people like them who’ve experienced those types of things can come forward in the future and not be afraid to do so?” Mark asked. “It’s probably the best thing we can do as filmmakers. My hope is that it’s not so much that we’re humanizing him, but that we’re telling you the story of Sean as opposed to the story of just Diddy, because I think the two were inextricable.”

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy premieres on Peacock Tuesday, January 14.

With reporting by Leanne Aciz Stanton

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood made a surprise joint appearance at President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.

The couple performed together while celebrating the life of longtime friend Carter at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. on Thursday, January 9. Brooks, 62, and Yearwood, 60, performed their own version of “Imagine” by John Lennon alongside the church choir. (Brooks and Yearwood sang the same song at Rosalynn Carter’s 2023 funeral.)

Carter, who made history in 2019 as the longest-living president in U.S. history, died at age 100 on December 29, 2024. Carter’s son Chip honored his dad in a statement, announcing his death. (Carter shared Chip, along with Jack, Jeff and Amy with wife Rosalynn.)

“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” the statement, released by the Carter Center, shared. “My brothers, sister and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”

What’s Really Going On With Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood Amid Scandal?

Brooks and Yearwood’s public appearance on Thursday comes after he was accused of sexual assault and battery in an October 2024 lawsuit. A hairstylist and makeup artist, referred to as Jane Roe, alleged that Brooks raped her during a 2019 work trip and sent him sexually explicit text messages. Roe’s lawsuit also claimed that Brooks had made multiple remarks about “having a threesome” with him and Yearwood.

The country singer denied the allegations in a statement to Us Weekly at the time.

“For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars,” the statement read. “It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face.”

He continued, “Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of — ugly acts no human should ever do to another. We filed suit against this person nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides.”

Most Shocking Claims Made Against Garth Brooks in Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Brooks filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in November 2024, which was “denied with prejudice” the following month. The denial is, however, temporary and pending the outcome of the lawsuit Brooks preemptively filed against Roe in September. (Referring to himself as “John Doe” in the documents, Brooks alleged that Roe was attempting to extort him with false allegations.”)

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Before their teams square off in the Orange Bowl, Penn State head coach James Franklin admitted Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is living his follicle fantasy. 

During a Wednesday, January 8, press conference ahead of the game on Thursday night, Franklin, 52, revealed football wasn’t the only thing on his mind when the two coaches addressed the media. 

“It’ll be a great game,” Franklin said. “We’re really, really excited about competing. I’m looking over here at Marcus. How old are you now, Marcus?”

“38,” Freeman said with a slight smile. 

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman’s Family Guide: Wife Joanna and 6 Kids

Franklin, who is bald, responded, “I mean, I look at the hairline on this guy. Envious of his hairline in a lot of ways.”

Outside of complimenting his physical appearance, Franklin said Freeman has done “a phenomenal job” this season with the Fighting Irish, who earned a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals after wins over Indiana and Georgia.

Penn State earned its Orange Bowl trip following victories over SMU and Boise State. The winner of Thursday’s game will advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the winner of Ohio State and Texas, who play each other in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, January 10. 

In guiding Notre Dame to the semifinals in his third season as head coach, Freeman has seen his notoriety explode. On Wednesday, Freeman was named the winner of the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award.

Freeman was able to celebrate his team’s Sugar Bowl win over Georgia alongside his wife, Joanna, and their six children: son Vinny, 17, daughter Siena, 12, son Gino, 11, son Nico, 9, daughter Capri, 7, and son Rocco, 6.

Sports Moments That Tugged at Our Heartstrings in 2024

After the New Orleans-hosted game was delayed due to the truck attack on New Year’s Day, Freeman admitted his staff was slightly behind the eight-ball — but he fully expects his team to be ready for the challenge that Penn State poses. 

“I think the coaches, we probably were a little bit behind to start just because of the travel and in that aspect, but physically our guys were good,” Freeman told reporters on Wednesday. “Our guys were good, and we’re going to be ready to roll. But we’ve got to utilize, as you just said, every minute we have from now until tomorrow night at 7:30.”

He added, “That’s the mindset that we all have — is every minute we’ve got to utilize. We didn’t have two extra days, so let’s utilize this time that we have physically and mentally to make sure we’re prepared to go tomorrow night.”

The Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State kicks off Thursday, January 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.