WDBD FOX 40 Jackson MS Local News, Weather and Sports

WDBD Television for Jackson, MS

    Emily DeCiccio

    What does Cinco de Mayo commemorate and why do we celebrate?

    Origins of tequila: History of Mexico’s favorite spirit

    Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican-flavor, including drinking the popular spirit tequila. But tequila expert, Guillaume Cuvelier, the co-owner of the brand Astral Tequila shares the rich history of the tasty drink. Salud!

    NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

    Thursday is Cinco de Mayo. To commemorate the holiday, Fox News reached out to a couple of leaders in the spirits industry for more about the origins of Cinco de Mayo, and what it meant for the bartending business. And for those who long to celebrate with a cocktail, our experts have shared a few easy recipes you can make at home.

    Fox News: What does Cinco de Mayo commemorate?

    Jaime Celorio, CEO of Ambhar Tequila: Cinco de Mayo commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla (the Mexican Army’s victory over France), but it’s really not a major holiday here in Mexico. It’s not even a federal holiday here. People in the U.S. sometimes mistakenly think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, but that’s actually celebrated in September. For some reason, it has become such a popular time in the U.S. to drink tequila.

    Sonya Auvray, founder of Dona Vega Mezcal: Mexico had lost several wars during the 1800s, which led them to bankruptcy, and unable to fulfill loans from several European countries. Although the others accepted extensions (Spaniards and British), the French did not. May 5th marks the day of Mexico’s major victory over the larger, and more powerful French army in the Battle of the Puebla; when France sought both money and land as re-payment.

    Fox News: When is Mexico’s actual Independence Day celebrated?

    Celorio: Mexican Independence Day is observed on September 16. We celebrate with festive decorations and parades in town plazas across the country, and of course traditional foods and tequila. 

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

    Fox News: What can you tell us about the history of Cinco de Mayo that many people may not know?

    Camille Austin, director of Advocacy for Abasolo Whisky: In Mexico, while Cinco de Mayo is celebrated regionally in the state of Puebla with parades, speeches and re-enactments of the 1862 battle, in other parts of the country the holiday goes largely unnoticed. Fighting in Mexico continued for many years after 1862, but this victory over the French army at Puebla became a true symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign domination and over the years. This day has become a way of encouraging pride in Mexican culture and heritage, all around the world. 

    A young girl is seen participating in a Cinco de Mayo parade in New York City in 2018. (Andrew LichtensteinCorbis via Getty Images)

    FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

    Fox News: What does Cinco de Mayo mean for you?

    Aurvay: Although of Mexican heritage, I’ve lived my whole life in the United States. This holiday was a way for families living in areas where they were the only Mexican-Americans to share their culture and heritage.  It’s a fun celebration to look forward to, and a time to be festive with family and friends!

    This holiday is considered a minor holiday in Mexico, while it is highly celebrated in America. The beer and spirit companies heighten the celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the U.S.— starting in the early ’80s, for promotional reasons.  But Cinco de Mayo represents bravery, community, determination and pride

    Celorio: Even though Cinco de Mayo isn’t a major holiday here in Mexico, I love that it has become such a great occasion in the U.S., and in other countries to recognize and celebrate Mexico’s culture! In some ways, it has become the unofficial start of summer.

    Austin: Although this holiday may have transformed over the years into something very different from what is celebrated in Mexico today, it should be a reminder to Mexican Americans, Americans and global citizens to be thankful, come together and celebrate over great Mexican food and spirits; all ideals that remain true to the very core of authentic Mexican culture.

    Elliott Coon, founder & creator director at Gem & Bolt Mezcal: Cinco de Mayo, especially at its historical origin, speaks to the power of the collective union of smaller forces working together to accomplish or defeat something for the greater good. This semblance feels especially powerful given the current global climate.— I’d like to think of it as a unified call to action for the present times.

    Fox News: What did the holiday normally mean for bartenders? 

    Chris Moran, founder and CEO of Ghost Tequila: Cinco always meant, ‘Get ready to make margaritas and pop Corona’s all night!’ As a bartender, Cinco is definitely always a fun night, extremely busy, and great tips. I could budget a potential week’s worth of tips on [Cinco de Mayo] alone. I worked at one of the top tequila bars in Boston for a number of [holidays]. It was great until you were running out of everything!

    It didn’t matter what day of the week Cinco fell on — we did two-and-a-half times the business of any other busy Friday or Saturday night. At any tequila-focused bar, it’s the busiest drinking day of the year — it’s more of a summer kick-off in bars than Memorial Day! Of course, this year, Cinco looks a lot different. I hope people will still celebrate at home though. It’s important to try to continue to do the things that you always do, and that make you happy. It’s also very easy to make spicy margaritas at home.

    CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS’ CONTINUING CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

    Longing to stay safe at home and celebrate with a cocktail? Keep reading for six easy recipes.

    (The Ghost Margarita. Recipe courtesy of Ghost Tequila.)

    Ghost Margarita

    Ingredients:

    • 1½ ounces Ghost Tequila
    • 1 ounce lemon juice
    • ½ ounce agave nectar
    • Splash of orange juice

    Instructions:

    Shake together all ingredients and serve on the rocks. Garnish with a lime. For extra spice, serve with a chili salt rim by first laying out a mix of salt and chili powder on a plate. Moisten the rim of the empty cocktail glass with lime, then invert the glass and dip into the salt/chili powder. Then construct the cocktail as normal.

    (The Ambhar Paloma. Recipe courtesy of Ambhar Plata Tequila)

    Ambhar Paloma

    Ingredients:

    • 1½ ounces Ambhar Plata Tequila.
    • ½ ounce lime juice
    • ½ ounce simple syrup
    • 1 ounce grapefruit juice

    Instructions:

    Stir together ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. When cold, pour over ice into a rocks glass. Top with soda water and serve.

    (The Jiro Old Fashioned. Recipe courtesy of Abasolo Whiskey de Mexico.)

    Jilo Old Fashioned

    Ingredients:

    • 2 ounces Abasolo Whiskey de Mexico
    • ½ ounce Nixta Licor de Elote (corn liqueur)
    • 3 dashes Angostura bitters

    Instructions:

    Add Abasolo, Nixta and bitters to a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until cold and diluted. Zest citrus over rocks glass and add fresh ice. Strain drink into glass, roll zest into curls and lay garnish atop the ice. 

    (The Smoke ‘Em. Recipe courtesy of Doña Vega Espadín Mezcal.)

    Smoke’em

    Ingredients:

    • 2 ounces Doña Vega Espadín Mezcal
    • ¾ ounce agave syrup
    • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
    • 1 egg white*
    • Maraschino cherry and grated cinnamon, for garnish

    Instructions:

    Combine ingredients in a shaker and add ice. Shake vigorously, strain and garnish with maraschino cherry and freshly-grated cinnamon

    *Consuming raw or undercooked eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. 

    (The Beso de Katrina. Recipe courtesy of Acre Mezcal.)

    Beso de Katrina

    Ingredients:

    • 1½ ounces Acre Mezcal
    • 1½ ounces pineapple juice
    • 3/4 ounce lime juice
    • 3/4 ounce hibiscus syrup

    Instructions:

    Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, and strain into a coupe glass 

    (The Pura Paloma. Recipe courtesy of Gem & Bolt Mezcal.)

    Pura Paloma

    Ingredients:

    • 1½ ounces Gem & Bolt Mezcal
    • 1½ ounces fresh grapefruit juice
    • ¼ ounce fresh lime juice
    • A dash of simple syrup (to taste)

    Instructions:

    If you’d like a salt rim, pour the salt into a small dish. Moisten the rim of a tall glass with a grapefruit or lime wedge. Invert the glass into the salt, turning it as needed, to coat the rim. Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and stir to combine. Garnish with the grapefruit or lime wedge. 

    Whiskey company CEO battles price-gouging on N95 masks, organizes team to send supplies to frontline workers

    Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.

    Reports of price-gouging for essential supplies used to protect against the coronavirus have been making headlines across the country. Those supplies often include the N95 face masks, commonly used by health professionals who are on the front lines battling COVID-19.

    EASTER DURING THE HEALTH CRISIS: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE HOLIDAY

    Fawn Weaver, the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest Whiskey, saw the risk this was creating for health care workers and took action.

    “I thought, ‘Let’s just pay the high prices of the N95 masks,’” explained Weaver. “Because it’s more important to keep these people alive, that are on the front lines, than to go back-and-forth over pricing. And we literally bought as many as we could find.”

    “It’s been amazing to see who is in our whiskey family, and really give them back something meaningful,” said Uncle Nearest Whiskey CEO Fawn Weaver.
    (Uncle Nearest Whiskey)

    Weaver initially bought $40,000 worth of masks from different manufacturers from all over the world, with the intention of delivering them to those who need them most. In fact, Weaver and the Uncle Nearest team have already delivered more than 1,000 masks to health care workers in New York, Georgia, California and Tennessee. They’re not stopping there.

    “We’ve got another shipment of 5,000 that is on its way,” said Weaver. “The second it hits the distillery, it’s going right back out because we have requests for every single one.”

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

    Weaver is prioritizing sending masks to the front lines. She’s instructing those who work at medical centers or hospitals that treat COVID-19 patients to email her their mailing addresses, along with a picture of badges or business cards that identify their place of work. The Uncle Nearest team then takes it upon themselves to get those N95 masks out as soon as possible.

    Weaver said it’s also been an eye-opening experience, especially after learning of certain groups that couldn’t get masks.

    “I’ve learned that some places weren’t giving masks and protective gear to anyone outside of doctors, and the top nurses, because that’s all they had,” explained Weaver. “So then you have all of these orderlies and folks getting sick because they’re running around the hospital where nobody is protected…I’ve also gotten requests from fire chiefs and police chiefs, and I mean, all of these people are on the front lines.”

    FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

    Weaver established Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey in 2017, with a business model highlighting diversity and an inclusive work environment. But she often says the company is about more than just whiskey (Uncle Nearest often uses the hashtag #morethanwhiskey in its social media posts), and amid the coronavirus crisis, she’s continuing to prove Uncle Nearest is really more than whiskey.

    “It’s been amazing to see who is in our whiskey family, and really give them back something meaningful,” said Weaver. “We’re actually going to send you something that we hope, we pray, is going to keep you alive. I don’t think many people get to do that in their lifetime, so to be able to do it is really remarkable.”

    CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS’ CONTINUING CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

    ⁣⁣Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals. Tweet her @EmilyDeCiccio. 

    LA retailer Buck Mason makes masks for the masses to protect against coronavirus

    Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.

    Exclusive – Los Angeles-based retailer Buck Mason is known for its quality manufacturing and designing classic clothes for men. Now, however, the company is putting its design capabilities to help its community and mass-producing washable non-medical masks.

    CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE 

    In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Buck Mason co-founder Sasha Koehn explained that making face masks was an easy move for his company.

    Sasha Koehn’s decision to make face masks comes as the Trump administration formalizes new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
    (Buck Mason)

    “At the end of day, we sew cotton, so this was a pretty simple pivot for us to be able to manufacture face masks,” said Koehn. “Especially because we’re seeing that the need is so big, we had to act and we knew we could help.”

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    Koehn’s decision to make face masks comes as the Trump administration formalizes new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

    Koehn told Fox News that he felt it was important for his company to make masks for the masses, because the first priority for the N95 masks should be for health care workers on the front lines.

    “What’s crazy though, since we started making these masks, is that we’re getting responses from the medical community,” said Koehn. “They’re still requesting these masks we’re making because there’s still such a shortage and they’re literally willing to wear anything and everything at this point.”

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

    States and cities across the United States are, in fact, receiving shipments from the National Strategic Stockpile to try to relieve shortages in medical equipment because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

    Koehn noted that Buck Mason will start manufacturing robes and gowns, and that he is not going to stop helping his community amid this pandemic.

    FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

    “Our goal was to donate as many masks as possible when we started this project,” said Koehn. “Our goal was to donate 100,000 face masks to our community, but now, it is looking like we’re going to exceed that goal very quickly. And all I can say is we’re not going to stop there. We’re going to keep going.”

    The Associated Press contributed to this report. Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals. Tweet her @EmilyDeCiccio. 

    LA retailer Buck Mason makes masks for the masses to protect against coronavirus

    Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.

    Exclusive – Los Angeles-based retailer Buck Mason is known for its quality manufacturing and designing classic clothes for men. Now, however, the company is putting its design capabilities to help its community and mass-producing washable non-medical masks.

    CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE 

    In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Buck Mason co-founder Sasha Koehn explained that making face masks was an easy move for his company.

    Sasha Koehn’s decision to make face masks comes as the Trump administration formalizes new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
    (Buck Mason)

    “At the end of day, we sew cotton, so this was a pretty simple pivot for us to be able to manufacture face masks,” said Koehn. “Especially because we’re seeing that the need is so big, we had to act and we knew we could help.”

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    Koehn’s decision to make face masks comes as the Trump administration formalizes new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

    Koehn told Fox News that he felt it was important for his company to make masks for the masses, because the first priority for the N95 masks should be for health care workers on the front lines.

    “What’s crazy though, since we started making these masks, is that we’re getting responses from the medical community,” said Koehn. “They’re still requesting these masks we’re making because there’s still such a shortage and they’re literally willing to wear anything and everything at this point.”

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

    States and cities across the United States are, in fact, receiving shipments from the National Strategic Stockpile to try to relieve shortages in medical equipment because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

    Koehn noted that Buck Mason will start manufacturing robes and gowns, and that he is not going to stop helping his community amid this pandemic.

    FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

    “Our goal was to donate as many masks as possible when we started this project,” said Koehn. “Our goal was to donate 100,000 face masks to our community, but now, it is looking like we’re going to exceed that goal very quickly. And all I can say is we’re not going to stop there. We’re going to keep going.”

    The Associated Press contributed to this report. Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals. Tweet her @EmilyDeCiccio. 

    How to protect yourself against coronavirus online scams

    Exclusive: Protecting yourself against coronavirus-related scams

    Alexander García-Tobar has spent over two decades in the email and security business and is the CEO and co-founder of Valimail.García-Tobar’s company stops phishing attacks by validating an email sender’s identity to ensure only trusted senders get into your inbox. He delivered his top advice for deflecting online scams and hackers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

    Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox.  Sign up here.

    Criminals are hard at work taking advantage of the population’s mounting fears stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, warned computer security expert Alexander García-Tobar.

    “Criminals are preying on our COVID-19 fear and are pretending to be the CDC or pretending to be officials that have important information about the virus,” said García-Tobar. “They’re also assuming that we will open up email attachments and click on links, which can get us into trouble. In fact, what we see is that over 80 percent of all phishing attacks is the sender not being who they claim to be.”

    FAMILY OF 34-YEAR-OLD CORONAVIRUS PATIENT ON LIFE SUPPORT MAKES PLEA FOR EXPERIMENTAL DRUG

    García-Tobar, CEO and co-founder of Valimail, has spent over two decades in the email and security business. He explained his company stops phishing attacks by validating an email sender’s identity to ensure only trusted senders get into your inbox.

    Read on for some of his top advice on how to deflect online scams and hackers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

    Multifactor authentication for business and personal email

    García-Tobar noted that nearly all consumer email systems (Gmail, Yahoo) and almost all business email systems have the ability for users to input either a phone number or a different type of address that will confirm users’ identities.

    “Most of us have seen this with various different social platforms,” said García-Tobar. “It really, really works.”

    Ask your IT department whether their systems are checking senders’ identities

    The Valimail founder explained that users and IT departments should utilize an open standard known as DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance), which has started to prevent criminals from being able to send emails.

    “DMARC is a global open standard that allows you to control the use of your own domain,” said García-Tobar. “It’s something that companies can put in place for themselves to make sure that only they can send emails as themselves, and criminals cannot.”

    RISK OF ‘DEADLY’ CYBERATTACK LOOMS AMID CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

    That means, for example, uber.com or whitehouse.gov make sure only they can send emails as that entity. He added DMARC not only protects companies on the inbound (people within a company) but that it also protects consumers from getting emails that may be fake.

    DMARC is open to anyone who wants to deploy it, and García-Tobar said users can check on his company’s website to see whether or not their company’s domain has it in place.

    Stay alert and speak up

    García-Tobar explained to Fox News that alerting IT departments about suspicious behavior goes a long way in helping track scams and phishing attacks.

    He suggested confirming unusual requests or ones involving sensitive information by using an alternative channel (other than email) to confirm that the request is real.

    CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE  CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

    “In times of crisis, phishers and hackers know that people are going to be somewhat distracted. In fact, when I talk to my colleagues within the email security space, we’re hearing this is the highest level of phishing we’ve ever seen, period,” said García-Tobar. “You need to be extra cautious and alert about the emails that you’re getting, make sure that you understand who’s really sending them, and that’s probably your best bet to protect yourself.”

    For more from the CEO and co-founder of Valimail, watch Alexander García-Tobar’s full interview above.

    Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals. Tweet her @EmilyDeCiccio. 

    Spring breakers partying amid coronavirus: How cultural behaviors can influence the spread of COVID-19

    Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox.  Sign up here.

    People across the country were outraged by images of Spring Breakers partying on Florida beaches amid growing concern over the coronavirus pandemic. University of Missouri professor Carolyn Orbann said there might be more to the college students’ actions than being purely inconsiderate and explained their actions in the context of cultural behaviors and history.

    According to Orbann, cultural behaviors include any behavior influenced by somebody’s “belief systems, religious systems, really the way they make meaning as a group.”

    Orbann told Fox News that college students realized that the coronavirus pandemic was going to impact the remainder of their semester, which meant their shared experiences that gave meaning in their college life were at stake.

    CHINA’S CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN MAY HAVE PREVENTED 700,000 DEATHS, SCIENTISTS SAY

    “Seeing experiences like graduation potentially go away, meant that they were motivated to continue doing the other parts of what they saw as significant to their college experience,” said Orbann. “So spring break was one of the last things that they had left, that last get-together with their friends.”

    Orbann also pointed to cultural behaviors that impacted the 1918 influenza pandemic and fostered the spread of the virus, impacted by the tumultuous events of World War I.

    “The major peak of deaths happened [during the influenza] right as the Armistice was happening, and so you had major troop movements around the world,” said Orbann. “In addition, the troops were returning home or visiting each other when they had some R&R time, so all of that basically served to spread the disease a little bit further perhaps, than it would have gone otherwise, or at least more quickly.”

    CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN RESULTS IN POLICE STOPPING MAN FROM PLAYING ‘POKÉMON GO’

    With that understanding, Orbann explained that encouraging social responsibility and seeing follow-through comes down to messaging and understanding how to reach different groups of people. Communication means utilizing relevant channels, for example, social media vs.person-to-person communication.

    “So thinking about the way that we can communicate meaningfully with each other authentically is really important, especially young people who react really strongly to authenticity and the lack of authenticity,” said Orbann. “So if they perceive something as not being authentic, they’re not likely to internalize that message very well.”

    Orbann is empathetic of her students’ situation of missing consequential activities amid social distancing. Now, she wants to find meaningful new activities that can build their peer identity so they don’t feel like they’re missing out.

    “What can we do to continue offering activities the students can do to build their peer identity, to build their subculture identity as Mizzou alumni?” asked Orbann.  “We don’t want their last experience to be moving out of their dorms or their apartments in the middle of March and just never coming back. So meaningful alternatives are really important.”

    CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE  CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    To hear more from Carolyn Orbann, an associate teaching professor of health science in the School of Health Professions at the University of Missouri, watch the full interview above.

    Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals. Tweet her @EmilyDeCiccio. 

    Danica Patrick says she doesn’t miss racing, but only likes the real thing

    Danica Patrick retired from racing in 2018 with the “Danica Double,” a two-race finale that capped her NASCAR and IndyCar careers, competing in the Daytona 500 and Indy 500. Unfortunately, she crashed out of both.

    Patrick bid farewell to her career at the 2018 Indy 500.
    (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images )

    She hasn’t been in a race car since and tells Fox News Autos that she’s happy to be spending time with boyfriend Aaron Rodgers and doing more of the things she couldn’t during the grind of a racing season.

    Fox News: Do you miss racing?

    Danica Patrick: I mean, in the simple sense of the word, do I miss racing? No. I mean, there’s so much that goes into it. Are there facets of it that I do? Yeah. Are there a lot of facets that I don’t? Yeah. But overall, no, I think to myself the schedule is relentless. You know, you’re in the same loop of activities and people just endlessly. So every time I’m on a trip or doing something different or going to a concert or, something personal that I’m really interested in, whether it be sort of a self-development seminar, or a girls trip or a trip with Aaron, a group of friends, I think to myself, if I was racing, I would not be here. So I’m grateful for this time now, and I love the transition. I’ve never really been afraid of that.

    Fox News: Were you watching any NASCAR or IndyCar since you retired, before the seasons were suspended this year?

    Patrick:  Sure, of course. I mean, I watch, it’s funny now that I’m on the other side of it and watching races. When you’re in it, you know which ones people like to watch and you don’t always understand why. So you think, but the Kansas race was great, the Watkins Glen race was great, and, Indy, I’m thinking that’s kind of not so great in a stock car, but I get it an Indy car. So you have all these thoughts and perspectives because you’re in it, but when you’re a spectator, you totally, and even though I did it, I totally tune into all the ones that are the ‘popular ones.’

    Fox News: Tell us about the perception vs. reality of what we see on TV compared to what is actually going on at the track.

    Patrick: I will say that a lot of times things look a little more chaotic on TV than they feel in the car. It’s harder to control the car than what you can see on TV, for sure. Controlling the car is something that you’re dealing with, I mean, on regular tracks, you’re dealing with it on every corner, obviously. But on superspeedways, you’re dealing with it in a stock car on the straightaways and even in an Indy car and some of the bigger tracks like the Indy 500. I mean, the straightaways are part of your plan. You’re scheming about how to get a run on somebody. So it’s a lot, lot, lot more work going on inside of the car than any fan would recognize when they’re just watching the race. But those starts and restarts, they’re chaotic, but they kind of look worse on TV.

    Fox News: Most pro series are holding virtual racing events during their hiatuses. Have you done any iRacing yourself?

    Patrick: I’m not a fan of videogames. I think that it’s great that they’re doing something to keep people entertained, and some people love it. I’m just one of those people that does not love videogames. I remember when I first started in NASCAR, my first crew chief Tony Eury Jr. got me this iRacing kit with the steering wheel and the pedals and the screen and everything, and I think I tried to use it once.

    There’s no feel to me, even when I’ve driven to the really legit simulators where you’re in a giant auditorium-style room that has screens all the way around it, you’re in a car, and you’re buckled in, and it’s very, very visual. The seat does move and it has bumps, and you can feel the weight through the steering wheel, but you can’t feel it in your butt. So for me, I didn’t even like doing that, and those are multimillion-dollar machines.

    Fox News: Any chance you’ll race again professionally, maybe a one-off sports car event?

    Patrick: I have for a very long time said the words never say never; however, I am in no way seeking out.

    To find out the advice Danica Patrick has for up-and-coming female stock car racers like Hailie Deegan and Natalie Decker, click on the video above.

    Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals. Tweet her @EmilyDeCiccio. 

    Nonprofit says older dogs need fostering amid coronavirus crisis, offers to pay the costs

    Exclusive: Fostering a senior dog in the time of coronavirus

    Erin Stanton, owner of Susie’s Senior Dogs, is stepping up to help elderly dogs by covering the cost of fostering them during the coronavirus pandemic. She talks to Fox News about why senior dogs are in need and how we can help during isolation.

    Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.

    Amid the escalating coronavirus pandemic, Erin Stanton, owner of Susie’s Senior Dogs (SSD), is stepping up to help elderly pets by covering the cost of fostering them.

    “I figured a strong incentive to get these senior dogs into homes right now would be paying for everything,” said Stanton.

    BUSCH OFFERING 3 MONTHS WORTH OF BEER TO ANYONE WILLING TO FOSTER A DOG

    Stanton started SSD in 2014, and has been raising awareness and money for senior dogs ever since. COVID-19, however, provided new challenges for the plight of elderly dogs.

    In an interview with Fox News, she explained that there is a greater need to get dogs out of shelters during the COVID-19 crisis. That’s because of limited volunteers, and the lessened ability for people to go to shelters and adopt. In turn, dogs receiving limited walks and care. It was a call to action for Stanton.

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

    “If someone is home and they have the time to foster, but maybe they lost their job and, you know, they can’t afford it … I didn’t want money to be the deterrent,” said Stanton. “So if they can’t afford to foster.… I thought, why don’t I remove all those barriers, and then hopefully it will lead to more seniors getting into foster homes right now.”

    According to SSD’s March 16 Facebook post, the offer stands for “anyone in the United States who will be home from work/school/life for the foreseeable future and will have some time to foster a dog.”

    FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

    Stanton says that her typical classification of a senior dog is one that’s at least 7 years old, but she’s lowering it to 6 for this particular initiative. She notes that senior dogs are most likely already trained and require one big walk per day, as opposed to younger dogs who require upwards of an hour or two of exercise.

    “It’s amazing to bring home a dog that has a few years on them,” said Stanton. “At the end of the day, it feels really good to know that you’re giving a home to a dog, or fostering a dog that a lot of people would reject.”

    For more on Susie’s Senior Dogs, watch the full interview with owner Erin Stanton above.

    CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

    Emily DeCiccio is a video producer and reporter for Fox News Digital Originals. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyDeCiccio. 

    Texas female distillery founder provides much-needed hand sanitizer to first responders

    Natasha DeHart ranks as one of the few female distillery founders and whiskey blenders in the United States, and has worked to elevate the category of blended whiskey.
    (Stuntman Public Relations)

    Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.

    Just one month ago, co-owner of Bendt Distilling Company Natasha DeHart was creating her unique blend of Texas whiskeys at her distillery in Lewisville. Now, she has shifted production entirely to combat the coronavirus and help Dallas County by producing and providing free hand sanitizer to local law enforcement, hospitals and first responders.

    CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

    “Daily, we have a pick-up from Dallas County and then they’re distributing it to all first responders that are in the most need,” DeHart told Fox News. “Right now, it’s literally just us providing hand sanitizer to Dallas County.”

    She’s shifted distillery production entirely to combat the coronavirus by helping Dallas County to produce and provide free hand sanitizer to local law enforcement, hospitals and first responders. 
    (Bendt Distilling)

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

    DeHart ranks as one of the few female distillery founders and whiskey blenders in the United States, and has worked to elevate the category of blended whiskey.

    The coronavirus pandemic stopped DeHart’s business in its tracks and she was forced to cut her workforce in half from 20 employees to 10. Despite the financial setbacks, DeHart is determined to step up for her beloved community and state.

    “This is definitely a horrible business decision in the whiskey industry, but for the health and continuity of our community and state, we knew we had to step up,” she said.

    FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

    DeHart told Fox News that her distillery will most likely only be able to continue helping the county for another few weeks if it doesn’t get one or two big donors. 
    (Stuntman Public Relations)

    Hand sanitizer production has been a huge financial burden for Bendt Distilling and resources are running low. DeHart has accepted two separate donations of grain-neutral spirit from Persedo Spirits in Houston and Sazerac Company in Kentucky, respectively, but those supplies are drying up.

    DeHart told Fox News that her distillery will most likely only be able to continue helping the county for another few weeks if it doesn’t get one or two big donors.

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    “We can’t continue to rely on small, family-owned businesses in this area to donate corn and labels and everything that we need to do this on a mass scale for the next month,” DeHart said. “We need one or two big donors, and anyone who is willing and able, and who has a heart for Dallas, the way that we do, please step up, the stakes are too high not to.”

    Emily DeCiccio is a video producer and reporter for Fox News Digital Originals. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyDeCiccio. 

    Texas female distillery founder provides much-needed hand sanitizer to first responders

    Natasha DeHart ranks as one of the few female distillery founders and whiskey blenders in the United States, and has worked to elevate the category of blended whiskey.
    (Stuntman Public Relations)

    Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.

    Just one month ago, co-owner of Bendt Distilling Company Natasha DeHart was creating her unique blend of Texas whiskeys at her distillery in Lewisville. Now, she has shifted production entirely to combat the coronavirus and help Dallas County by producing and providing free hand sanitizer to local law enforcement, hospitals and first responders.

    CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

    “Daily, we have a pick-up from Dallas County and then they’re distributing it to all first responders that are in the most need,” DeHart told Fox News. “Right now, it’s literally just us providing hand sanitizer to Dallas County.”

    She’s shifted distillery production entirely to combat the coronavirus by helping Dallas County to produce and provide free hand sanitizer to local law enforcement, hospitals and first responders. 
    (Bendt Distilling)

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

    DeHart ranks as one of the few female distillery founders and whiskey blenders in the United States, and has worked to elevate the category of blended whiskey.

    The coronavirus pandemic stopped DeHart’s business in its tracks and she was forced to cut her workforce in half from 20 employees to 10. Despite the financial setbacks, DeHart is determined to step up for her beloved community and state.

    “This is definitely a horrible business decision in the whiskey industry, but for the health and continuity of our community and state, we knew we had to step up,” she said.

    FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

    DeHart told Fox News that her distillery will most likely only be able to continue helping the county for another few weeks if it doesn’t get one or two big donors. 
    (Stuntman Public Relations)

    Hand sanitizer production has been a huge financial burden for Bendt Distilling and resources are running low. DeHart has accepted two separate donations of grain-neutral spirit from Persedo Spirits in Houston and Sazerac Company in Kentucky, respectively, but those supplies are drying up.

    DeHart told Fox News that her distillery will most likely only be able to continue helping the county for another few weeks if it doesn’t get one or two big donors.

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    “We can’t continue to rely on small, family-owned businesses in this area to donate corn and labels and everything that we need to do this on a mass scale for the next month,” DeHart said. “We need one or two big donors, and anyone who is willing and able, and who has a heart for Dallas, the way that we do, please step up, the stakes are too high not to.”

    Emily DeCiccio is a video producer and reporter for Fox News Digital Originals. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyDeCiccio.