​Jim Whittaker, the celebrated mountaineer who became the first American to summit Mount Everest, has died at age 97. He passed away Tuesday at his home in Port Townsend, Washington, according to a statement from his family. “Whether at home, in the mountains, or at sea, he sought to share adventure, joy, and optimism with those around him,” the family said in an email from his son Leif Whittaker. “His warmth, humility, and belief in the power of nature to bring people together left an enduring legacy of care for our planet and for one another.”

Whittaker’s 1963 ascent of Everest, alongside Nawang Gombu, came 10 years after the pioneering climb of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The feat spurred interest and a burgeoning industry in U.S. mountaineering, and it made the once-shy climber an instant celebrity. He graced magazine covers and was in demand for public appearances.

Whittaker had joined REI in 1955, hired by co-founder Lloyd Anderson. After his Everest climb raised the company’s profile, he led the cooperative from 1971 to 1979. Under his leadership, membership grew from roughly 250,000 to more than 900,000. REI credited his congressional testimony and other efforts with helping to establish North Cascades National Park and the Pasayten Wilderness in Washington, as well as Redwood National Park in California. “Long before outdoor advocacy was commonplace, Jim gave his voice—and his leadership—to protecting the places we love, reminding us that wild places endure only if we choose to care for them,” the statement said.

Whittaker’s celebrity also brought him into the orbit of the Kennedy family, and he became a close friend of Robert Kennedy, with whom he climbed a 14,000-foot Canadian peak. The peak was later named Mount Kennedy after Kennedy’s murder in 1968. Whittaker was at Kennedy’s bedside when he died and was devastated by the assassination.

Whittaker grew up in Seattle and began climbing with his twin brother Lou Whittaker in the 1940s through the Boy Scouts. At 16, they summited Mount Olympus, the highest peak in the Olympic Mountains west of Seattle. On the return home, they reached Port Angeles to fanfare and celebration, as World War II had just ended. Jim Whittaker once reflected that the beauty and danger of his sport sharpened the senses.  

​NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. Fox News’ “Antisemitism Exposed” newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.. IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:. – Meet the far-left streamer who is stirring up controversy online and dividing Democrats. – Fetterman says his support for Israel is hurting him with Democratic Party. – Harvard alum praises Trump admin handling of antisemitism at vaunted school. TOP STORY: He has over 3 million online followers, regularly spouts antisemitic tropes, and has said the US deserved 9/11. Meet Hasan Piker, the Twitch streamer who Democrats just can’t bring themselves to condemn. While some progressive leaders platform him to reach younger audiences, critics and moderate Democrats warn that his far-left rhetoric and defense of groups like Hamas are dividing the party… VIDEO:Actress Debra Messing recounts antisemitism, October 7 response, and backlash over pro-Israel stance. WATCH HERE:. MORAL CLARITY: Sen. John Fetterman cited “moral clarity” as the reason for his increasing divide with the Democratic Party, particularly regarding his staunch support for Israel and opposition to the government shutdown. He criticized colleagues for platforming controversial figures like Hasan Piker and accused the party of abandoning federal workers. Fetterman remains unapologetic, prioritizing principles over political alignment within his party.. GRATEFUL GRAD: A Harvard alum is applauding the Trump administration’s aggressive crackdown on the university’s admissions and safety policies. The graduate praised federal probes into alleged race-based preferences and the school’s “failure” to protect Jewish students from antisemitism. The move follows a massive $2.2 billion funding freeze, as the White House demands Harvard overhaul its leadership and “hostile” international admissions.. BLAMING THE JEWS: ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan faces renewed disciplinary scrutiny after a UN investigation found a “factual basis” for sexual misconduct allegations involving a female aide. While an internal judicial panel suggested he could resume duties, ICC member states recently voted to extend proceedings. Khan denies the “smear” campaign, which coincides with his high-profile push for war crimes warrants against Israeli leaders.. GUEST EDITORIAL: Federal judge Roy Altman argues that the “keyboard courtroom” of social media fosters extremism and misinformation. To combat this, he suggests teaching younger generations to adopt a “juror’s mindset”—evaluating claims through objective evidence, neutral observation, and logic rather than emotion. By applying legal methodologies to digital discourse, citizens can better distinguish facts from divisive slogans and propaganda.. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I may have lost the socialist vote and the pro-Iran vote in my party, but that’s part of my party that’s growing, unfortunately.” – Sen. John Fetterman.. – Looking for more on this topic? Find more ant  

​NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. An Oklahoma principal who was shot in the leg while tackling a school shooter on Tuesday was hailed a hero for stopping the gunman and preventing a worse tragedy, officials said.. Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore and other staff spotted the gunman, later identified as 20-year-old former student Victor Hawkins, and immediately jumped into action to subdue him, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).. “The principal of the school had noticed that an adult male subject, 20 years old, had stepped foot into the school with a gun,” OSBI spokesperson Hunter McKee told KOCO-TV. “When the principal noticed this, he quickly stepped in, as well as other staff. The subject was able to fire multiple rounds, where the principal was hurt, but no one else was.”. Moore was airlifted to a hospital in stable condition, authorities said.. ‘GOOD SAMARITAN’ DESCRIBES TACKLING TRANS SHOOTER AT RHODE ISLAND ICE RINK: ‘WENT FOR THE GUN’. “The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today,” McKee told the outlet.. The shooting unfolded around 2:21 p.m., according to authorities. The school was placed on lockdown until officers cleared the scene, and students were later reunited with their families.. Moore and other staff subdued the gunman until officers responded and arrested Hawkins.. PENTAGON LEADERS AWARD 2 PURPLE HEARTS TO OLD DOMINION CADETS WHO TOOK DOWN ISIS SUPPORTER. “I know the word gets thrown around quite a bit, but he is a hero today,” Pauls Valley Superintendent Brett Knight said of Moore while speaking to reporters at the scene.. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt also praised Moore in a statement, saying that he “acted bravely to protect students’ lives.”. “Sarah and I are praying for his quick recovery,” Stitt said. “I’m thankful for the swift response from law enforcement and school staff, and I’m grateful no students were harmed.”. A motive for the shooting was unclear, officials said.. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP. Hawkins was booked into the Garvin County Jail.. The 20-year-old was charged Wednesday with one count each of shooting with intent to kill and carrying a weapon to a public assembly, and two counts of feloniously pointing a firearm. His bond was set at $1 million.  

​NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. Good morning and welcome to Fox News’ morning newsletter, Fox News First. And here’s what you need to know to start your day …. TOP 3. 1. Husband taken into custody in disappearance of American woman in the Bahamas. 2. Trump signals new warning to Iran as regime hedges on ceasefire demands. 3. Artemis II astronaut details ‘unbelievable sight’ up in space: ‘actually getting chills’. MAJOR HEADLINES. ‘MIGHT GET ARRESTED’ — Files labeled ‘Batch 1 for Reporter’ found on accused leaker’s computer, feds say. Continue reading …. TRACKS OF NEGLECT — Florida bus driver charged with 29 counts of child neglect after train clip. Continue reading …. CONSTITUTIONAL CLASH — Colorado’s latest Supreme Court loss adds to growing string of culture war defeats. Continue reading …. DEADLY PATTERN — Americans slain in crimes allegedly tied to illegal immigrants as outrage surges. Continue reading …. RUNAWAY REVEALED — Teen vanished 30 years ago, turns up living quiet life 1,100 miles away: report. Continue reading …. –. POLITICS. ‘PATHETIC’ — Spanberger takes victory lap for $7.1B in investments that her GOP predecessor secured.Continue reading …. RIGGED LINES — VA Dem rejects ‘power grab’ claims on Spanberger redistricting as GOP warns 10–1 map would split rural vote.Continue reading …. IN THE HOT SEAT — Son of former Iranian official dubbed ‘Screaming Mary’ under fire for LA lifestyle. Continue reading …. TAXED OUT — Record 70% of voters say their taxes are too high as filing deadline looms, poll finds. Continue reading …. Click here for more cartoons…. MEDIA. HALL PASS — Nashville public school excuses Muslim students for daily prayer time during Ramadan. Continue reading …. DOUBLE DOWN — Dem candidate takes swipe at Joe Rogan after refusing to disavow Hasan Piker’s past comments.Continue reading …. ‘WE’RE COMING AFTER YOU’ — Dr. Oz revokes Medicare access for LA doctor tied to $71M hospice billing.Continue reading …. ‘SO NASTY’ — Pete Hegseth rebukes ‘rude’ reporter who interrupted Pentagon briefing on Iran. Continue reading …. OPINION. HUGH HEWITT — Morning Glory: President Trump leads the West to a big win against Iran. Continue reading …. SEN. RICK SCOTT — The lesson of Artemis? Purge woke politics and let NASA do its job. Continue reading …. –. IN OTHER NEWS. SWINGIN’ SAVINGS — Masters fans cheer low prices as Augusta National concessions ‘feel unreal’ with $1.50 sandwiches. Continue reading …. NATIONAL RISK — Secretary Wright warns California’s energy crisis under Newsom could threaten national security. Continue reading …. AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on Tidal Basin traditions and baseball benchmarks. Take the quiz here …. ROYAL RIFT — Prince Harry, Meghan Markle caused ‘unforgivable’ stress for Queen Elizabeth in final years. Continue reading …. CRYING SHAME — Viral trend has parents distracting fussy todd  

​ByJoe Rindl. BBC Sport journalist. 30 minutes ago. 2 Comments. So much has happened over the past seven days, including javelin calamities, FA Cup quarter-finals and boxing knockouts.. About 12% of quizzers got full marks in last week’s edition. Will you make the grade this week?. After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.. [embedded content]. What information do we collect from this quiz?. Play more quizzes. Quiz: Name every team who has played in the Premier League. 2 March. Can you name every FA Cup winner?. 16 February. Can you name every Women’s League Cup finalist?. 22 March. Can you name every player with 100 Premier League goals?. 23 February. Can you name every team to have played in the WSL?. 9 September 2025. Quiz: Can you name every EFL Cup winner?. 22 March. Check out our Sports Quizzes page. Fancy testing your memory? Play last week’s quiz.. Let us know your score and thoughts in the comments below – and be wary, it might contain spoilers!