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‘Flip flop’: Democrat firefighter in tight House race blasts popular Trump policy his national union supports
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A swing-district Democrat disparaged Trump’s landmark overtime tax break despite his national firefighters union’s support, prompting his GOP opponent to accuse him of a «flip flop.»
Nazareth, Pennsylvania’s Bob Brooks — running against Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., in a toss-up seat — is the president of the commonwealth’s firefighters union, setting up an apparent discrepancy with the national council, though the Democrat’s campaign says his concerns about the cuts are more nuanced and that it is the Republican who is harming first responders on the issue.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) provides a maximum annual deduction of $12,500 on qualified overtime compensation, phasing out after $150,000 of gross income or $300,000 for joint filers, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association — which is a subsidiary of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) — criticized the OBBB’s provisions during an appearance on the progressive «Meidas Touch» podcast in May.
«Donald Trump just did it here [in Pennsylvania]. He was up at the [Mount Airy] casino. But literally, he brought a guy up on stage and claimed he was a fireman and profiting from the no-tax-on-overtime, which 90 percent of our guys didn’t get the benefit from anyways, but the guy wasn’t a paid fireman,» Brooks said, referring to a Stroudsburg-area first responder whom Trump introduced at a Mount Pocono rally in December.
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«I just don’t understand how they keep spewing the garbage,» added Brooks, a former Bethlehem firefighter of many years who notably served in top union roles.
The man Trump introduced was indeed a volunteer firefighter but also a paid police officer in Monroe County who would therefore qualify for the no tax on overtime provision in his other first responder role.
Conversely, the IAFF came out in support of Republicans’ tax policies that included the elimination of levies on qualified overtime pay.
«Firefighters and emergency medical workers shouldn’t be penalized for choosing a career in public service,» IAFF president Edward Kelly previously told the New York Post.
Kelly called the new overtime rule a «needed fix» for his 350,000 members whose jobs demand «long hours.»
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«President Trump respects the contributions lAFF members make to our country and recognizes the importance of ensuring these brave men and women can keep more of their hard-earned money,» Kelly told the paper.
Meanwhile, the Fraternal Order of Police also wrote an April letter to Reps. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., and Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, expressing support for House legislation ending taxes on overtime, noting it positively affects law enforcement officers nationwide.
President Donald Trump dances at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta on Oct. 15, 2024. (John Bazemore/AP)
In response, a spokesperson for Brooks said the Democrat «ran into burning buildings for 20 years [and] knows what hard work is, and he knows that first responders deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money.»
The spokesperson said Brooks does support «no tax on overtime» and «no tax on tips,» saying that instead it is Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa.; his opponent; who doesn’t understand the issue.
«Ryan Mackenzie is a life-long politician who wouldn’t know a hard day’s work if it hit him in the face,» Brooks’ spokesperson said.
A source familiar with the matter said that, despite the IAFF’s endorsement of Trump’s policy, Brooks’ comments to Meidas Touch reflect how some firefighters do not qualify for the benefit, adding that Brooks supports fixing that discrepancy.
They added that Brooks would however not actually support any effort to repeal such no-tax-on-overtime benefits.
In a statement on his website about rural Carbon County being hurt by Washington policies, Brooks said that he would «work to repeal» the OBBB to restore higher SNAP funding, which also included the overtime policy.
The source also accused Mackenzie of voting to cut funding for first responder support through Community Project Funding Grants (CFP) – a contention Mackenzie’s camp denies.
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Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Allentown, speaks at a Trump rally at Mount Airy Casino near Mount Pocono. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
The grants plan preceded Mackenzie’s entering office in 2025, and there was later bipartisan agreement to forgo the spending bill that included the grants in favor of a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded rather than adopt a new framework. The Republican voted in favor of it along with several Democrats.
«No CPF funding was allocated in FY 2025 as a result of the decision by congressional leaders on both sides to support a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution,» Mackenzie said in a statement, noting that Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., supported the same CR.
«Bob Brooks is a proven conman who was found by a court to have stolen over $100,000 from his own family,» Mackenzie said in response to the attacks.
«His latest flip-flop proves once again that this fraudster is only in it for himself.»
«Instead of standing with firefighters and the over 29 million Americans who saw record refunds from tax relief on overtime, Bob Brooks supported repealing these tax cuts and advocating for massive tax increases on everyone. Now he is now trying to trick voters by changing his unpopular position and thinking no one will notice.
The House Republicans’ campaign arm told Fox News Digital that voters can proverbially see the truth through the controversy.
Bob Brooks campaigns in Allentown, left; President Donald Trump campaigns in front of a No Tax on Overtime sign in Georgia, right. (Joe Lamberti/Getty Images; John Bazemore/Associated Press)
«Bernie Bro Bob Brooks’ radical high-tax agenda would devastate working-class Pennsylvanians. Voters know Brooks wants them to keep less of their hard-earned money.» National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Reilly Richardson said.
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Brooks’ website indicated the IAFF has also endorsed Brooks — who enjoys support from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Fox News Digital reached out to IAFF for comment.
midterm elections, taxes, bills, republicans, elections, pennsylvania, politics
INTERNACIONAL
Costa Rica figura entre los 10 mejores destinos del mundo para que la Generación Z viaje en 2026
Costa Rica fue incluida entre los 10 mejores destinos para que la Generación Z viaje en 2026, de acuerdo con una selección publicada por la revista especializada Travel + Leisure. El país destaca por ofrecer una combinación de aventura, naturaleza y descanso, características que, según expertos en turismo, responden a las nuevas preferencias de los viajeros jóvenes.
La publicación señala que los integrantes de la Generación Z (nacidos entre 1997 y 2012) están dejando atrás los destinos más populares en redes sociales para buscar experiencias auténticas, lugares menos concurridos y mayor contacto con la cultura y la naturaleza.
Según el informe What the Future Report 2026, de la plataforma Kayak, el 69 % de los viajeros de esta generación quiere conocer destinos completamente nuevos, mientras que el 84 % prefiere visitar zonas rurales o ciudades pequeñas en lugar de los grandes centros turísticos.
Para elaborar el listado, Travel + Leisure consultó a especialistas del sector turístico, entre ellos Tara Cappel, fundadora de FTLO Travel, empresa que organiza viajes grupales para personas de entre 25 y 39 años.
“Costa Rica es la combinación perfecta entre una aventura en la selva y unas vacaciones relajadas frente al mar”, afirmó Cappel al explicar por qué el país forma parte de la clasificación.
La experta destacó que el territorio costarricense ofrece una amplia variedad de experiencias en distancias relativamente cortas. Entre ellas mencionó la posibilidad de recorrer el volcán Arenal, caminar por los bosques nubosos de Monteverde y observar especies como monos, perezosos e iguanas en el Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio.
En la costa del Pacífico también recomendó destinos como Nosara para practicar surf, las playas de Santa Teresa para quienes buscan un ambiente relajado, Tamarindo para disfrutar de los atardeceres y la Península Papagayo para quienes prefieren hospedarse en complejos turísticos de lujo.
El artículo destaca que este tipo de experiencias conectan con una tendencia creciente entre los viajeros jóvenes, quienes priorizan las actividades al aire libre, el turismo sostenible y el contacto con comunidades locales por encima de los itinerarios tradicionales.
La publicación también señala que, aunque los clásicos viajes de verano por Europa continúan siendo populares, cada vez más jóvenes buscan lugares menos saturados por el turismo masivo y con propuestas diferentes.
En ese contexto, Costa Rica comparte el listado con destinos de América, Europa, Asia y África que ofrecen experiencias auténticas y alejadas de las multitudes.
Los diez destinos recomendados por Travel + Leisure para la Generación Z son:
- Dominica.
- Belice.
- Marruecos.
- Austin, Texas (Estados Unidos).
- Vietnam.
- Cerdeña, Italia.
- La Paz, México.
- Costa Rica.
- Hilo, Hawái (Estados Unidos).
- Punta Gorda, Florida (Estados Unidos).
Además de Costa Rica, la revista destacó a Belice por su barrera de coral y ruinas mayas; Vietnam por su gastronomía, historia y paisajes; Marruecos por sus ciudades, mercados y experiencias culturales; y Cerdeña por sus playas y menor afluencia de turistas en comparación con otros destinos italianos.
Los expertos consultados coinciden en que la Generación Z busca viajes que les permitan vivir experiencias únicas, descubrir lugares poco conocidos y alejarse de los circuitos turísticos tradicionales.
La tendencia también responde a un mayor interés por destinos donde sea posible combinar aventura, bienestar, naturaleza y cultura, además de opciones que resulten más accesibles económicamente.
En ese escenario, Costa Rica continúa consolidándose como uno de los destinos preferidos para el turismo de naturaleza, gracias a su biodiversidad, parques nacionales, playas y actividades al aire libre, elementos que la revista considera especialmente atractivos para los viajeros jóvenes que buscan experiencias memorables más allá de los destinos más populares del mundo.
costa rica,atardecer,playa,turismo,pacífico,cartel
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Two races in politically disparate parts of the country set the stage for one of the most unusual split-screen election days of the year on Tuesday.
Rep. David Scott’s death in April at age 80 created a vacancy in a heavily blue district encompassing the southern and eastern Atlanta suburbs of Stockbridge, Conyers and Snellville.
With the general election ballot already decided, Tuesday’s contest will determine who will finish out Scott’s term. Scott was notably related by marriage to Braves slugger Hank Aaron.
Across the country in South Dakota, Republicans vying for the Mount Rushmore State’s safely red governor’s seat have created the state’s first gubernatorial runoff between incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden and self-made millionaire bitcoin investor Toby Doeden.
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South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden, left; the late Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., right. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Bill Clark/Getty Images)
Rhoden originally took the reins in Pierre after President Donald Trump chose former Gov. Kristi Noem to be Homeland Security secretary in his second term. He was unable to garner enough support in the June primary to secure the nomination outright in his first statewide election as governor.
South Dakota’s runoff is expected to be a classic establishment-versus-outsider race, with Rhoden heavily favored in the polls but Doeden hoping for a Sioux Falls-fueled upset.
Minnehaha County, home to Sioux Falls, is a key county to watch Tuesday after helping propel Doeden to a first-place finish in the June primary.
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South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden speaks with the press during Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s «Returning Education to the States» tour on April 8, 2026, at McCrossan Boys Ranch in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Pennington County, on the state’s western side, will also be closely watched after contributing to Doeden’s top finish in June.
In contrast to what is expected in Scott’s district in November, Republicans are heavily favored because South Dakota has not elected a Democratic governor since the 1970s.
Then-Gov. Richard Kneip served nearly two terms before President Jimmy Carter nominated him as ambassador to Singapore. Gov. Harvey Wollman completed the final six months of Kneip’s term, and is the state’s last Democrat to hold the office.
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Shifting back to the Deep South, Georgia Democrats are expected to hold Scott’s seat in the fall by a wide margin.
Efforts to replace Scott grew in recent months, particularly among the party’s progressive wing, as the 12-term, often-combative lawmaker drew increasing frustration from Democrats.
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A sign welcomes travelers to the Peach State at the I-20 East Welcome Center near Tallapoosa, Georgia, on October 3, 2022. (Charlie Creitz)
Last year, Scott made waves in Washington media when he shouted expletives at a Politico photographer as he was wheeled through the Capitol by staff.
«Who gave you the right to take my picture, a—hole,» Scott shouted at photographer Francis Chung in late 2025.
That demeanor was similar to what led Everton Blair to launch his primary bid against Scott, in what his campaign page calls a «voice for a new generation.»
Blair previously told Fox News Digital it was a run-in with Scott at a Gwinnett County town hall, where the lawmaker gave insufficient answers to questions and then reportedly became confrontational, that led him to explore a bid.
Blair had said he would «love to just hear a little bit more of the congressional and legislative strategy, congressman, that you have for this administration, particularly as it pertains to safeguarding federal funds,» according to Semafor, when Scott replied «hold on,» before becoming agitated:
«I don’t know who sent y’all, but we got these folks here who are providing answers. And I’m doing this. That’s what I’m doing,» Scott said, according to the outlet.
Blair responded by launching a primary bid, while remarking to Fox News Digital at the time that two other elderly Democratic members had recently died in office «at a time when every vote counts.»
The wave of millennial candidates seeking to replace aging Democrats was at the time dubbed the «Biden effect» — Democratic lawmakers retiring or facing potential primary challenges following the octogenarian Delawarean’s disastrous debate performance, which led to his decision to step aside for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
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«Change can’t wait, and Democrats need a new bench of leaders who are committed to solving real problems for working people,» Blair said in a previous press release.
Meanwhile, Scott’s daughter is hoping to replace her late father in Congress, remarking that she wants to continue his legacy.
«That is my thing, is to finish out his year strongly, make sure that this money gets down to the district, and just make sure the 13th district is taken care of, constituency-wise, and making sure the projects go into finalization,» she told the Georgia Recorder, while adding she would retain her father’s staff locally and at the Capitol for added stability.
«[W]hen he first got into politics, I wasn’t even born, so I ran for some type of office or campaign every two years of my life, so this is just my norm, I’m just picking up where we left off with him,» she told the outlet.
A third candidate, former Mississippi judge Carlos Moore, also criticized Rep. Scott’s tenure, telling the Mississippi Free Press he wants to be a «leader who actually shows up.»
Moore had been suspended from the bench for one year in 2024 after a bar tribunal found he mishandled a wrongful death settlement, according to the outlet.
When asked by the press about the infraction, he pointed to Trump’s 34-count indictment in New York. He also pledged, if elected, to be a leader who understands «how to defend our democracy and Constitution» from the president.
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The winner of Tuesday’s special elections will serve only until January.
Georgia state Rep. Jasmine Clark, D-Tucker, won the Democratic nomination for the full term earlier this year and is heavily favored against Republican Air Force veteran Jonathan Chavez in November. Trump lost the district by about 43 points in 2024.
midterm elections, elections state and local, south dakota, elections, georgia, politics
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A gunman fired at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto on Monday, marking the second time this year someone shot at the building, according to authorities.
A single shell casing was found at the scene, and there was damage to the building’s facade.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
«The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada are open and operating normally, though some routine U.S. citizen services in Toronto are being rescheduled,» the consulate said in a statement.
GUNFIRE SHATTERS TORONTO LATIN STREET FESTIVAL, LEAVING AT LEAST 2 DEAD AND MULTIPLE WOUNDED
Police at the scene of a shooting outside the US Consulate in Toronto, on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Deputy Police Chief Frank Barredo said there was a high-speed chase after the shooting that lasted an hour. However, no arrest was made and Barredo committed to continuing the search for those involved.
«We will approach this investigation with great seriousness,» Barredo said at a news conference. «We will bring the people responsible for this to justice.»
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow described the shooting as a «brazen attack.»
«I want to say to the person or persons responsible, we will get you,» she said.
This was the second shooting targeting the U.S. Consulate this year, with the first coming on March 10, when two suspects allegedly fired multiple shots at the building before driving away in a stolen vehicle.
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo at a press conference after a shot was fired at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Sheldon Tracy-Stewart, 18, and Zara Jabbi, 19, were arrested last month and charged with multiple offenses in connection with the March shooting. The allegations have not been tested in court.
A police presence has been seen at the consulate since the first shooting.
Barredo said a patrol vehicle was outside the consulate with its lights on when the shooting happened. Two security personnel were also in the building.
Last month, police said they believed multiple shootings, including the one in March, could be tied to «multilayered» gun-for-hire networks that have also targeted Toronto synagogues.
Two popular Jewish-owned bakeries were targeted by gunfire over the weekend.
US CONSULATE IN TORONTO STRUCK BY GUNFIRE, POLICE SAY; NO INJURIES REPORTED
Police investigating after a shot was fired at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Barredo said police had not ruled out a connection between Monday’s consulate shooting and the attacks on the bakeries. The motive for the consulate shooting remains under investigation.
«Investigators will follow the evidence to where it leads,» he said.
Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, said he was «disgusted» by the recent violence in Toronto.
«I’m totally disgusted by the shootings and vandalism that took place in Toronto over the last few days, including at two Jewish-owned businesses over the weekend and near the U.S. Consulate this morning,» he said on X. «In all cases, active police investigations are underway. I expect all those responsible to be found, prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law.»
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
toronto, world, foreign affairs, national security, us, crime, canada
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