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After undergoing life-altering surgeries she now regrets, Soren Aldaco is taking her fight to the Texas Supreme Court. The 23-year-old detransitioner claims online grooming led her to pursue medical intervention as a minor; now, justices must decide if her malpractice suit against her former doctors can proceed past the state's legal deadline.

Aldaco spoke to Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview about her journey, which began when she started using social media at age 11 and joined "these little art communities online where we would create characters and give them different names and appearances." 

"I discovered the darkest corners of the internet. In these chatrooms, I was sexually groomed by adult strangers who used my love for art against me," Aldaco wrote in a Fox News op-ed. "I made friends with other little girls on art forums around the same time, many of whom had similar experiences. One such girl began identifying as transgender. She told me she felt like "a boy trapped in a girl’s body."

This is when she learned about people identifying as transgender.

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"I think transgender identity is very similar to cosplay in a lot of ways. You take on a new name, you take on a new appearance, almost like you're creating one of those characters online," Aldaco told Fox News Digital. 

But it soon became more than just pretending online, saying she started to "feel like a boy" due to a combination of newfound male attention and her tendency to "engage in this fantasy of cosplaying."

"I was role-playing in these art forums, just like boyfriend, girlfriend role plays, cutesy, like innocent kid things. I mean, the most that we got into that was mature was kissing, right? But online, in those adult chat rooms, obviously I wasn't aware that there was more mature content that adults would end up leading me into," she said. "I ended up having this psychiatric episode and my family took me to a hospital where the psychiatrist that was responsible for my care pressured me to essentially come out to him as trans."

Aldaco claimed she didn't have intentions of doing so. 

"This was something I never intended to do. I saw it as the role-play identity, and he insisted that it was safe to tell him, even though it was something I wasn't going to deal with 'til I was an adult," she said. 

She shared how, over the next year and a half, she was involved in a support group and met a nurse practitioner that prescribed her testosterone. 

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Aldaco alleges that her transition was facilitated by medical professionals who ignored her underlying trauma and coached her to navigate insurance hurdles. According to Aldaco, her therapist showed no interest in exploring her history of being groomed, despite Aldaco’s explicit requests to discuss it. Instead, she claims the therapist fast-tracked her medical transition by drafting a surgical recommendation letter that contained a significant falsehood: It stated Aldaco had been living as a male for at least 12 months — a standard clinical milestone Aldaco says she had not actually reached.

The alleged misconduct extended to the surgical center, where Aldaco claims the staff prioritized "coaching" over care. She describes being told exactly what to say to secure insurance approval, including instructions to claim she wanted a phalloplasty (a complex genital reconstruction that uses tissue to create a penis) even though she did not. Aldaco alleges this was a tactical move by the center to maximize insurance payouts. When her provider initially denied coverage as "out-of-network," she says the center pressured her into a self-pay agreement, promising they had the expertise to force the insurance company to reimburse her at in-network rates.

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Aldaco said she experienced complications after her double mastectomy, and she was "ghosted" by her doctors afterward.

Aldaco believed that both the therapist and the nurse practitioner "projected" their experiences onto her and said they met through activist groups. Aldaco said the nurse practictioner had an adult child that identified as trans and the therapist had a trans ex-spouse, and said the therapist was treating her for relationship problems.

Aldaco said the nurse practitioner, who prescribed her hormones, did not confirm to do so with her biological mother.

"My stepmom was the one who took me to those appointments. She didn't have legal authority over me. And, the nurse practitioners didn't even ask her if she did."

"We filed our suit initially in 2023, and now it has made its way all the way up to the Supreme Court. This is against the nurse practitioner who initially prescribed me hormones, the therapist who wrote the authorization letter for my double mastectomy, and then the team that performed my double mastectomies and ghosted me afterward when I experienced complications." 

The case is marked as pending, according to Tarrant County records.

In 2024, Soren Aldaco’s legal efforts faced a series of procedural dismissals in Texas courts. In April 2024, a judge dismissed some of her claims against medical providers involved in her hormone treatment. By November 2024, an appellate court also dismissed her case against her former therapist, ruling that the statute of limitations had expired.

State law mandates medical liability lawsuits be filed "within two years from the occurrence of the breach or tort or from the date the medical or health care treatment that is the subject of the claim."

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However, her case saw a major development in December when the Texas Supreme Court agreed to review these rulings, specifically to determine when the legal "clock" should begin for patients seeking to sue over sex-change procedures.

Her case being heard by the Texas Supreme Court only involves her former therapist and the associated counseling group who wrote a letter recommending surgery for Aldaco in Feb. 2021. 

Aldaco said her goal goes beyond speaking out about transitioning.

"My goal with sharing my story is not only to put a stop to these interventions... but also just to bring awareness to the impacts of our digital habits on our kids," she said. 

The attorney representing the therapist and the counseling center said they cannot comment on ongoing litigation, but did say, "The appeal is about proper understanding of the limitations provision of the Texas health care liability statute that Aldaco is proceeding under. It is not about the substance of Aldaco's claim."

Aldaco, who is a newlywed, said she has been experiencing health issues, including with her reproductive system.

Attorneys for the other health care providers involved in Aldaco's case listed in the lawsuit did not respond to Fox News' Digital request for comment. 

A former Chicago Police Department chief of detectives says that a bill introduced in the Illinois state house just one day before Sheridan Gorman was killed has the potential to be detrimental to police in the state by banning the use of any biometric identification systems.

Police arrested Jose Medina-Medina, 25, on Friday after he allegedly killed Loyola University Chicago student Gorman, who was 18, early on Thursday morning. Medina-Medina is an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who first entered the U.S. in 2023, when he was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol and released into the U.S. under the Biden administration.

Medina-Medina allegedly shot and killed Gorman on a pier on Thursday, March 19, at around 1:06 a.m., according to an arrest report.

Democrat Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy introduced a bill that would ban law enforcement from using biometric identification systems, including fingerprint-matching tools, facial recognition programs, iris scanners, as well as any other software that deals with biometric information, according to the bill's text. DNA isn't included in the biometric identifiers in Cassidy's bill.

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If the bill was enacted, law enforcement agencies in the state wouldn't be able to use the Secretary of State's facial-recognition database.

Illinois House Bill 5521, known as the Illinois Biometric Surveillance Act, was introduced on Feb. 6.

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Notably, Medina-Medina was identified with the help of facial recognition. Images of the suspect were sent to a police database, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection identified the suspect as Medina. He was arrested at his apartment in Rogers Park, according to the arrest report.

Retired Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Eugene Roy told Fox News Digital that without the help of facial recognition, his identification and arrest would have "absolutely" been delayed.

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"This case was cracked in large part due to looking at the videos from the cameras in the area surrounding the murder and to run them through different systems until they found a match," Roy said.

Roy said that if passed, the bill's effects would be "crippling" for detectives.

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"It's gonna be just short of crippling detective work," Roy said. "You have to be able to identify people. When you build a case, it's not just based on an identification, it's just not based on a picture, it's based on the combination of a lot of things. It's based on identification. It's based on witness accounts. It's based on physical evidence. It's like building a wall. And if you take away the bricks that are at the foundation of that wall, the wall is going to crumble."

Gorman, just 18 when she was killed, was described by loved ones as someone who radiated an "unmistakable warmth" and poured her energy into things she cared about, like her family, friends and community.

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While Gorman is from New York, close ones say she brought that same type of energy to Loyola University Chicago, where she "had begun building the next chapter of her life," according to her obituary.

Fox News Digital obtained an arrest report that shows Medina-Medina was seen unmasked while waiting for an elevator in his apartment building's lobby. An engineer for the building told detectives that he knew the suspect, noting he had a "very distinct limp and gait."

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That gait, in addition to a positive identification from facial recognition, resulted in Medina-Medina's arrest.

Medina-Medina told officials in 2023 that he was living at Leone Beach Park fieldhouse in Rogers Park in 2023, which was being used as a city-sponsored shelter for migrants. The shelter closed in 2024, according to South Side Weekly.

In an earlier statement to Fox News Digital, the Gorman family said they are disappointed with policies that allowed Medina-Medina to remain in the country.

"When systems fail—whether through release decisions, lack of coordination, or unwillingness to act—the consequences are not abstract. They are real. And in our case, they are permanent," the family wrote.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Cassidy said that people shouldn't look at "anecdotes."

"Just as with all bills introduced in our body, HB5521 is a work in progress aimed at curtailing the abuses of biometric data we’ve most recently seen during Operation Midway Blitz. It is tragic that some people want to use individual tragedies to justify the use of flawed technologies that risk the private information of millions in our state," Cassidy said. 

"Rather than look at anecdotes, we should know that facial recognition technology is demonstrably inaccurate. It is curious that in discussing this issue, we hear about particularly heinous and troubling crimes, but nothing about people being misidentified by facial recognition technology and held for hours (if not days) based on system errors. House Bill 5521 does not limit state and local police from investigating crimes. It simply protects the privacy of millions of Illinois residents simply because they have an Illinois driver’s license."

The mother of a slain Washington, D.C. congressional intern urged the family of Sheridan Gorman to "fight back" after she wrote a touching tribute on the college student's obituary.

Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman, 18, was shot and killed on March 19 while she was at a pier near campus in the city's Rogers Park area. 25-year-old Jose Medina-Medina, the suspect in Gorman's murder, entered the country illegally on May 9, 2023, and was apprehended then released into the U.S. under the Biden administration, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym, whose son Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, was caught in the crossfire of a gang-related shooting in Washington, D.C., June 30, 2025, wrote a touching tribute to Gorman and her family after she was killed.

"My sincerest condolences to the family. I and my family understand what you are going through as I went through the same thing July 1, 2025 with our innocent 21 yr old son. I pray for all of you," Tarpinian-Jachym wrote. "The pain is the worse pain any family can go through and know your family is in my prayers along with all the other families who have gone through this."

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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Tarpinian-Jachym said she was "disgusted" upon learning about Gorman's death.

"I cried. I was angered. I was disgusted. This is an ongoing issue in Chicago and a lot of these cities that should have never happened," she said. "I was just really angered at that and, um, angered that there are no people in elected positions in these cities, in states. They just don't care. They don't about us, the victims, and the lifelong trauma this has on a family."

Tarpinian-Jachym's son, Eric, was killed in a drive-by shooting when several individuals exited a vehicle and began firing shots at a group of people, which included the congressional intern. He wasn't the intended target, police said.

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"They need to fight. And I think parents of victims. We need to band together, all together," Tarpinian-Jachym said. "My heart goes out to the Gormans. I understand what they're going through." 

Tarpinian-Jachym also said she thinks leadership in Chicago and Illinois need to be held responsible.

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"The people in charge in Chicago should be held responsible for this. You know, I think the governor, the mayor, it's disgusting what they've been saying for the last year. It really, it's heart-wrenching to me that all these people are getting murdered," she said.

Medina-Medina is expected in court Friday morning.

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Gorman, who attended Yorktown High School in Yorktown Heights, New York, was described in an obituary as someone who "had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and believed in." While in high school, Gorman participated in field hockey, lacrosse and bowling "among many other activities."

"People often say someone 'lit up a room' or had ‘inner and outer beauty,’ but in Sheridan’s case, those phrases fall way too short. She radiated something even greater—a rare and unmistakable warmth, a spirit that was vibrant, compassionate, and full of life. She was funny, kind, and deeply loving, with a heart that made space for everyone," her obituary states. "She loved fiercely—her family, her friends, her community, and her faith. She brought people together, lifted them up, and made the ordinary moments feel extraordinary simply by being in them."

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Medina-Medina, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and was released into the U.S. under the Biden administration, according to DHS.

Following an arrest for shoplifting in Chicago, Medina was released on June 19, 2023, DHS said.

He was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, three felony counts of aggravated assault with discharge of firearm and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the Chicago Police Department.

At the time of his June 2023 arrest, Medina-Medina told officials he was living at Leone Beach Park fieldhouse in Rogers Park in 2023, which was being used as a city-sponsored shelter for migrants.

The United States has allies in this battle with Iran, though you’d be hard-pressed to prove it from coverage in mainstream media. Israel has lost 18 of its citizens, our Gulf allies at least 20. America has seen 13 of its soldiers and airmen killed in the theater. 

When allies fight beside you and absorb the blows that the enemy wishes it could rain down on our country, we in America ought to at least bring their stories forward. Israel especially has been at war with Iran since its proxy Hamas launched the attack on October 7, 2023, with its invasion of Israel and the massacre that followed. Israel is now fighting alongside our forces in the skies above Iran (and perhaps on the ground with Special Forces and secret services!?) as well as waging a fierce battle in southern Lebanon after another Iranian proxy, Hezbollah, renewed its attacks on northern Israel.

Israeli journalists and analysts are many and excellent. On X you can follow former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. @DrMichaelOren, and from the next generation @havivrettiggur, @Nadav_Eyal and @AmitSegal. Amit and Nadav both have free newsletters. Podcaster Dan Senor hosts Nadav and Amit appear weekly on his "Insider" edition of the "Call Me Back" podcast.

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As our ally, Israel has been at war since that massacre of 10/7, and their extraordinary contribution to this battle — which for them has two fronts and incoming missiles many times a day — is hard to describe. But Americans ought to at least be aware of what the war looks like from their point of view (and from that of our Gulf allies though I know next to nothing about which accounts to follow there.)

An ally like Israel is an immeasurable boon. Fox News often has Trey Yingst reporting from there and Lucas Tomlinson roaming around the Gulf. I can’t judge the other networks because I don’t watch them, but the online platforms provide a story or two or three a day, and much of it is outright defeatist or at least demoralizing, even though the dominance of the U.S. and Israeli militaries over the shattered Iranian forces is unquestionable.  

When the war concludes, there will be enough time to review in depth what was not covered or how the deep bias against President Trump and/or Prime Minister Netanyahu in mainstream news organizations impacted war coverage, but denying that bias is like denying that a war is going on. 

Right now, however, the American and Israeli militaries are methodically smashing the military the Iranian radical regime has built up over 47 years. If it was a boxing match, the referee would stop the fight. But it’s war and the target list is long.

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U.S. Central Command and the Israeli Defense Forces both operate excellent X accounts and President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu have been frequently available to the public. President Trump has probably set a record for questions asked and answered in the first three weeks of any major military action. There is simply no reason for anyone to complain about a lack of information about the war.

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It is also not hard to find out what our ally is doing and the burden they are bearing. The tiny slice of America that hates Israel as a result of dark and ancient impulses (or lucre) doesn’t amount to many, though they are noisy. Ordinary Americans ought to know what our allies, especially Israel, are doing. It’s not hard to find out. Good guests from across the Israeli political spectrum are not hard to find. 

The Islamic Republic of Iran is the equal of any malign nation over the past half century. Its hatred of the U.S. and the West generally is unsurpassed, and they have never kept that hatred a secret. Its complete defeat would be an enormous boon to the world and the Iranian people.

Need proof? Read last year’s excellent book by Vali Nasr, the Majid Khaddouri Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C.: "Iran’s Grand Strategy: A Political History." 

This battle is the story of this decade, and its outcome one of those very few-and-far between hinge points of history which are obvious as they occur, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall. That the coverage of the war and our allies in it take a back seat to, well, anything else at all is astonishing.  

Hugh Hewitt is a Fox News contributor and host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show" heard weekday afternoons from 3 PM to 6 PM ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel. Hugh drives Americans home on the East Coast and to lunch on the West Coast on over 400 affiliates nationwide, and on all the streaming platforms where SNC can be seen. He is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel’s news roundtable, hosted by Bret Baier weekdays at 6pm ET. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been a Professor of Law at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law since 1996 where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt launched his eponymous radio show from Los Angeles in 1990. Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted television shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for every major American paper, has authored a dozen books and moderated a score of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami and four Republican presidential debates in the 2015-16 cycle. Hewitt focuses his radio show and his column on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests from Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump over his 40 years in broadcasting. This column previews the lead story that will drive his radio/ TV show today.

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Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has spent years hammering President Trump and his Justice Department (DOJ) over their handling of Jeffrey Epstein records, accusing them of trying to sweep evidence under the rug and even teasing that his "follow the money" work "ties back to Donald Trump." 

However, emails reviewed by Fox News Digital in the DOJ "Epstein files" show Wyden’s own family connection – an April 2016 appointment at Epstein’s Manhattan mansion between his son Adam and the disgraced financier. 

An email chain from late April 2016, after it was already public that Epstein was a convicted child sex offender and was accused of operating an under-age "sex slave" ring, shows Adam Wyden sought investment backing from Epstein during a meeting at Epstein's home in Manhattan where Epstein allegedly engaged in some of his criminal activity. The senator's son founded his own private investment fund, ADW Capital, in 2010.

"Jeffrey, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and hope my passion and dedication for my business came through in the meeting. I live and breathe this business and take my returns, integrity, and reputation quite seriously. And, I believe I have the mental fortitude and energy to stick through the tough times and drive value when others are fatigued," the younger Wyden said in an email in April 2016 to Epstein. "I intensely appreciate like minded individuals and would very much look forward to having you join us at the fund."

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Other emails inside the tranche of Epstein documents released by the DOJ show Epstein and the younger Wyden communicating about a time and location for the meeting. Meanwhile, another document appearing to be a ledger of Epstein's daily engagements and activities on April 28, 2016, marks the meeting as taking place at 10:00 a.m. that day.

The same scheduling document also describes the young Wyden, in parentheses, as "Jonathon Farkas' friend." Farkas appears to refer to the husband of President Trump’s ambassador to Malta and the brother of Andrew Farkas, who had a "profound friendship" and business ties with Epstein, according to the New York Times. 

"I don’t speak to my kids about their business activities, and I read about this a few months ago on social media just like everybody else," Sen. Wyden said in a statement to Fox News Digital when reached for comment. "My investigation began four years ago and continues unchanged. I want transparency and accountability across the board."

WATCH: HILLARY CLINTON STORMS OUT OF EPSTEIN DEPOSITION AFTER HOUSE LAWMAKER LEAKS PHOTO FROM INSIDE

Adam did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment in time for publication. 

Wyden has repeatedly hammered the Trump administration over access to Epstein-related records and has argued his "follow the money" investigation "ties back to Donald Trump."

"One of the most important questions that comes out of this is why were America's leading banks – a number of them – basically sleepwalking throughout this whole Epstein matter," Wyden said in a video chronicling his probe into the Epstein scandal as the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. "They should have been watchdogging this. They should have brought to law enforcement what they believed was going on." 

Wyden also touted his plans to author a bill that would hold banks accountable in the future if they turn a blind eye to such illegal activity.

At the time of the April 2016 meeting between Epstein and the senator's son, Epstein was already a convicted sex offender who had pleaded guilty in Florida to sexually abusing a minor, and the Palm Beach investigation that led to Epstein's plea had identified dozens of possible Epstein victims, many of which were reportedly minors. 

President Donald Trump paused planned U.S. strikes on Iran just hours before a self-imposed deadline, citing diplomatic progress that Tehran immediately denied, even as U.S. forces continued moving into position, a split signal that leaves the next move uncertain.

The move creates a narrow five-day window in which the administration is signaling diplomacy while preserving the ability to strike, raising the stakes for whether talks materialize — or whether the delay simply sets up near-term escalation.

The abrupt shift follows a weekend ultimatum in which Trump warned the U.S. would begin targeting Iran’s power infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened, a threat that rattled global oil markets and heightened fears of imminent conflict.

By Monday morning, however, Trump announced a five-day delay, pointing to what he described as "very good and productive conversations" tied to a broader framework that includes nuclear disarmament.

TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST ENVOY REVEALS WHAT LED TO BREAKDOWN IN IRAN TALKS BEFORE OPERATION EPIC FURY

The rapid shift from ultimatum to pause in less than 48 hours resets the clock, opening a five-day window for diplomacy before a decision on strikes.

The whiplash shift, from strike threat to sudden pause, adds to the uncertainty around Washington’s next move.

The White House and the Iranian mission to the United Nations could not immediately be reached for comment.

Iranian officials quickly rejected the claim that negotiations were underway, dismissing Trump’s comments as "psychological warfare" and accusing Washington of using the appearance of diplomacy to buy time.

Even as the White House points to diplomacy, the Pentagon has continued to expand its military footprint in the region.

In recent days, thousands of U.S. Marines have been deployed aboard amphibious warships, adding rapid-strike and ground-operation capabilities near Iran, with additional naval assets positioned to support escalation if ordered.

The posture suggests the United States is maintaining, and in some cases increasing, its readiness to act, even as Trump signals a potential opening for negotiations.

TRUMP DELAYS XI MEETING AS IRAN CONFLICT LETS US STRONG-ARM CHINA’S OIL SUPPLY

Iranian officials argue the two tracks are linked.

Tehran has accused Washington of using talk of diplomacy to influence oil markets and buy time for military repositioning, deepening uncertainty over whether the pause reflects a genuine diplomatic opening or a temporary delay before further action.

The dual-track approach is also being echoed by key U.S. allies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Trump sees "an opportunity to leverage the substantial achievements" of recent military operations to advance war objectives through a potential agreement.

"At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon," Netanyahu said.

Some analysts say the approach reflects a strategy of applying military pressure while testing whether diplomacy produces concessions.

"I think that there’s definitely a method to the president’s decision-making here," Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, told Fox News Digital. 

"He is testing to see what concessions the Iranian regime would be prepared to make," Brodsky said. "The president can be testing diplomacy. The president can also be buying time. … All these things can be true at the same time. It’s not either-or." 

Still, Brodsky expressed skepticism that the current moment will produce a breakthrough. 

"I remain skeptical that we’re anywhere near a point where the Iranian regime will make significant concessions," he said.

With the five-day window now underway, attention is shifting to what comes next.

If negotiations fail to materialize, the administration could move forward with the strikes it has already threatened or escalate to a ground operation — with forces now in position to carry them out. If talks do take shape, the pause could mark the start of a broader diplomatic effort.

A central unresolved issue is Iran’s nuclear stockpile, which Trump and Israeli officials have signaled remains a key objective of the operation. Securing or neutralizing highly enriched uranium could prove critical in determining whether the conflict moves toward a diplomatic resolution or further military action.

In the coming days, key indicators will include whether any indirect talks emerge through intermediaries, whether U.S. force posture continues to expand, and whether Iran takes steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or signals willingness to negotiate.

An Air Canada Express regional jet struck a Port Authority vehicle on the ground after landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, killing two people and forcing the airport to close.

The CRJ-900 plane, which was arriving from Montreal, struck the vehicle at about 24 miles per hour shortly before midnight, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.

Two pilots were killed in the incident, Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said at a news briefing. More than 40 passengers, crew members and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) officers were transported to the hospital, she said. 

"At this time, we understand that 32 have been released, but there are also serious injuries," Garcia said. "Sadly, the two pilots are confirmed deceased and notifications are being made by Air Canada's care team at this time." 

DEAD PASSENGER ALLEGEDLY STORED IN HEATED GALLEY FOR 13 HOURS ON BRITISH AIRWAYS FLIGHT, 'FOUL SMELL’ REPORTED

The jet was operated by Jazz Aviation, Air Canada's regional partner. Air Canada and Jazz Aviation confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital.

"Flight 8646 was en route to LGA from Montréal (YUL)," Jazz Aviation said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The preliminary passenger list indicates the aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and 4 crew members, although this is subject to confirmation. The incident occurred at approximately 11:47PM on March 22, 2026."

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for all planes at the airport, saying there was an emergency without offering specific details. The airport is expected to be closed until 2 p.m. Monday, the FAA said. 

LaGuardia's website showed arriving planes had been diverted to other airports or returned to where they took off from.

The Port Authority confirmed that the jet collided with a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle.

"At approximately 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada was involved in an incident on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport in which the aircraft struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle that was responding to a separate incident," a Port Authority spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"Emergency response protocols were immediately activated," the statement continued. "The Port Authority Police Department is on scene along with the agency’s Chairman and Executive Director. The airport is currently closed to facilitate the response and allow for a thorough investigation."

The spokesperson added: "This is a developing situation based on preliminary information. The Port Authority Police Department is working closely with our airline partners as well as federal authorities, and will provide additional updates as more details become available."

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy's office also confirmed to Fox News Digital that the flight crashed with a Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport after the plane landed late Sunday night and that the flight included four crew members — the captain, first officer and two flight attendants.

The New York Fire Department said in a statement that it was responding to an incident involving a plane and a vehicle on the runway at LaGuardia Airport, although it did not provide additional details.

The New York City Police Department confirmed the collision but did not offer further information.

Multiple videos taken at the scene showed the jet with severe damage to the front of the aircraft.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it is "launching a go team to investigate the March 22 Jazz Aviation, Air Canada Express Flight 8646, CRJ900, airplane that collided with a fire truck on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport in New York."

Fox News Digital reached out to the FAA, NTSB and LaGuardia Airport for additional information.

The New York City Office of Emergency Management said travelers should expect road closures, traffic delays and cancellations near the airport.  

SOUTHWEST FLIGHT DIVERTED AFTER PASSENGER SCARE AS SECURITY INCIDENTS RATTLE US AIRPORTS

Air Canada said it was setting up a phone line for loved ones of the passengers to call for assistance. The number is: 1-800-961-7099.

The incident came amid weekslong turmoil at airports across the country amid a funding lapse for the Department of Homeland Security, which has caused long lines and left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees working without being paid for more than a month. 

Some TSA workers have quit and security lines at many airports left travelers waiting for hours. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are slated to deploy to airports Monday to help the TSA. 

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.