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Women's tennis legend speaks out on California trans athlete controversy as Newsom faces criticism
Women's tennis legend Martina Navratilova weighed in on the sudden trans athlete controversy in Gavin Newsom's California, with the girls' high school track and field championships coming up.
A trans athlete is set to compete in the girls' tournament this year, after winning multiple state finals last year. California is continuing to let biological males compete in girls' sports under Newsom's leadership, prompting criticism from many activists.
Navratilova cheered on two gold-medal-winning women's Olympians who spoke out against Newsom on Friday.
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The tennis legend shared a Fox News Digital article of women's Olympic gold medalists Nancy Hogshead and Kaillie Humphries addressing the track and field controversy.
"Right on Nancy!!! We are just built different!!!" Navratilova wrote in an X post sharing the article.
In a response to the post, Navratilova argued to another user that Newsom could take action to protect girls' sports in California.
"Newsom could overturn this in a second. No excuse," Navratilova wrote.
In a later post on Saturday, Navratilova re-shared news that the trans athlete, representing Jurupa Valley High School, is seeded first in the upcoming tournament.
"Cheating… which at the moment the rules allow. Thanks for nothing [Gavin Newsom]," Navratilova wrote.
Navratilova, like Hogshead, is a vocal advocate for protecting women's sports despite supporting Democrats on other issues.
Hogshead responded to a statement from a source within Newsom's office on the issue that stated, "The Governor has said discussions on this issue should be guided by fairness, dignity, and respect," regarding the upcoming track meet and a planned protest against the trans athlete at the meet.
"Governor Newsom seems to exclude girls from his own standard of 'fairness, dignity and respect.’ It is impossible to include a male — however they identify — into girl’s sports and have a fair competition, respecting and dignifying the unique biology of females. Females aren’t weakened males; males and females are built from different molds, so different that it justifies formal, government-sanctioned sex segregation," Hogshead told Fox News Digital.
Hogshead, who represented the U.S. at the 1984 Summer Olympics, where she won three gold medals and one silver medal in swimming, has become a prominent activist in the fight to save women's sports, despite being a lifelong Democrat. Hogshead is also a civil rights lawyer.
MOST CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS OPPOSE TRANS INCLUSION IN GIRLS AND WOMEN'S SPORTS: SURVEY
"The government never segregates racially and religiously, but we do segregate by sex because of biology, material reality. Girls and women rely on that formal sex segregation to have the possibility of equality in sport. Governor Newsom needs to include the girls competing in track in his own analysis. As a law professor, this is a big fail," she continued.
Humphries, who is a tax-paying California citizen and rising Trump ally in the effort to protect women's sports, criticized Newsom as well. Humphries has won three Olympic gold medals in bobsled for the U.S. and Canada and six medals in total, making her the most decorated women's bobsledder in history.
"There is nothing fair about allowing boys to take opportunities from girls in sports. It’s just the left’s thinly veiled misogyny. Governor Newsom should be focusing on California hosting the Olympics which actually knows the difference between men and women and quit pushing his woke agenda which is out of the mainstream of the American public," Humphries told Fox News Digital.
The source within Newsom's office responded to news that a "Save Girls Sports" protest will be held on Saturday at the site of a track and field playoff meet.
"The Governor has said discussions on this issue should be guided by fairness, dignity, and respect. He rejects the right wing’s cynical attempt to weaponize this debate as an excuse to vilify individual kids. The Governor’s position is simple: stand with all kids and stand up to bullies," a source within the governor's office told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
"California is one of 22 states that have laws requiring students be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school sports consistent with their gender identity. California passed this law in 2013 (AB 1266) and it was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown."
After Jurupa's trans athlete won first place in triple jump and high jump, and second place in long jump, President Donald Trump's Department of Justice launched a lawsuit against California state agencies for alleged Title IX violations last July.
Trump's administration cracked down with a more targeted investigation of JUSD in January. The U.S. Department of Education announced JUSD specifically would be investigated for potential Title IX violations, along with 17 other institutions.
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William Shatner says he's 'taking care of business' at 95: 'The least of all I want do is die'
William Shatner has no plans to slow down as he gets older.
In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, the 95-year-old actor spoke about how he is able to keep going, when so many others his age have already slowed down decades ago.
"That's why they're old," he said. "Shatner's law is speed up, do more and forget the pain, take a pill if it hurts. You get older, you hurt more. Two things. One is a weightlifter who told me, 'When I lift three, four hundred pounds, it hurts. I've learned,' he said, 'to make the hurt my friend. Welcome, friend. The pain is here, welcome.'"
Shatner, who is preparing for his upcoming live stage show "The Universe is Absurd," went on to say that his "advice to old people" would be to "befriend" and embrace the pain.
The "Star Trek" actor then added that his second tip for those who are aging is to never stop moving, explaining that "if you stop moving, all you've got is the hurt." He explained that one of his passions is riding horses, and competing in an equestrian event called reigning, which he described as "very physical."
"The older you get, the difficulty is really getting on the horse. You have a mounting block, and you try to lift your leg up over it," he said. "If I would have stopped that, half my life would disappear. So I don't stop. I just go slower."
Even after suffering an injury to his shoulder due to a fall off his horse, Shatner continues to ride, and will be hosting the annual William Shatner's Hollywood Charity Horse Show later this month.
His busy schedule also includes his upcoming live show, "The Universe is Absurd," which is a live, unscripted stage show with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson that will explore cosmic themes through banter and storytelling. The show is scheduled for May 10 and 20 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.
WATCH HERE: WILLIAM SHATNER CALLS NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON ‘A CLOSE FRIEND’ AFTER WORKING WITH HIM ON NEW LIVE SHOW
Tyson and Shatner first connected when recording an audiobook, which eventually led to 20 hours of conversation between the two of them.
"I had to spend two days, 10 hours a day talking to a wonderful man who has become a good friend of mine now," he said. "Those 20 hours have given us a foothold into conversation and that's what we'll have on stage. But in order for it to have energy, I have to disagree with them on many points, if not all."
The worst thing that can happen at the show in Shatner's opinion, is that "The audience walks out. We walk on, and they get up and leave."
WATCH HERE: WILLIAM SHATNER ENCOURAGES OLDER PEOPLE TO ‘BEFRIEND THE PAIN’ IN ORDER TO STAY YOUNG
'STAR TREK' LEGEND WILLIAM SHATNER, 95, TORN BETWEEN TWO CUISINES FOR HIS LAST MEAL
In terms of what's next for him, the "Boston Legal" star explained he doesn't have a bucket list, but wants to continue doing the things he treasures, such as spending time with his dogs, riding horses with his wife and visiting his favorite coffee shops.
"I'm busy, and I'm vital and I'm riding horses and I'm taking care of business. And I just sold a horse," he said. "I did a job on Friday and Saturday...I'm busy doing concrete valuable things, I don't want to go anywhere. The least of all I want to do is die."
WATCH HERE: WILLIAM SHATNER DOES NOT PLAN TO SLOW DOWN ANYTIME SOON
DICK VAN DYKE ADMITS FEELING ‘DIMINISHED’ PHYSICALLY AND SOCIALLY AHEAD OF 100TH BIRTHDAY
When reflecting on his life, Shatner shared that he is "thrilled to see the world" when he wakes up every morning, but shares that is "something that's grown on me through the years."
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He explained that a person's mindset changes throughout the different stages of life. He shared that around 20-25 years old, people are busy building their future and are "self-energized by your own needs," but slow down as they get older.
"When you're 70 and 80, you look around at the magic of the Earth," he explained. "You look at the incredible beauty of life. No matter if you're hurting, welcome hurt. You're alive, for God's sake. In no time at all, you'll be interred with turds and so relish as much as you can of your life because it's over."
He continued: "I'm here to testify. One truth I know. It goes by so quickly. When I hear somebody utter the number of my age, I'm tempted to look around to see who he's talking about, because that doesn't seem real. It seems like some bad dream. I'm how old? No, I'll wake up momentarily. That's how I feel."
WATCH HERE: WILLIAM SHATNER SHARED HOW HIS PHILOSOPHY ON LIFE HAS CHANGED AS HE GETS OLDER
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Shatner previously gave audiences the secret to his longevity in a tweet on his 95th birthday.
"At 95, I'm still smokin'! I've learned two things: Never waste a good cigar. Never trust anyone who says you should 'act your age.'"
BROADCAST BIAS: Networks furious that courts ended racial gerrymandering
The Supreme Court’s decision to reject racial gerrymandering brought out the worst excesses on the broadcast networks. An ABC reporter stood in front of the White House on April 29 and claimed the decision was in line with President Donald Trump’s "eager" efforts to "put additional restrictions on voting writ large" and "taking steps to really undermine confidence in the voting system ahead of the midterms."
These networks have a disturbing tendency to equate "democracy" and "civil rights" with whatever helps Democrats. Both parties this year have been aggressively pushing redistricting, but the media hasn’t displayed a nonpartisan reformist approach, urging a less political redistricting approach. Instead, they clothe all the Democrat arguments in favorable terms.
Red states in the South moving to change district lines before the midterms is certainly disadvantageous to Democrats, which is countered by their media advantage in how it’s presented. "PBS News Hour" anchor Amna Nawaz summarized on Tuesday: "The Supreme Court ruling against drawing congressional maps to protect black or other minority voters has sparked a new wave in the ongoing redistricting war."
Over the years, both parties have supported majority-minority districts to put Democrats together and ensure Black Democrats can win perennially without any serious competition. PBS and others call that "protecting black voters." They suggest Blacks don’t have voting rights unless they can elect Black representatives.
MEDIA OUTRAGE OVER SUPREME COURT’S VOTING RIGHTS ACT DECISION COLLIDES WITH REALITY
So, what happens when a majority-Black district elects a White guy (Tennessee Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen in Memphis) or an Indian-American guy (Michigan Democrat Rep. Shri Thanedar in Detroit)? Every American citizen over 18 years of age who isn't a felon has voting rights. That was true yesterday and today. But our media always slants every issue into the distorted Democrat version of reality.
Consider the typical labeling bias. "Conservative" judges and politicians are opposed by "civil rights" activists (not leftists).
On "CBS Mornings" on Thursday, May 7, reporter Ed O’Keefe suggested it was a "Republican power grab" to redistrict "Montgomery, Alabama, the birthplace of the modern civil rights movement." Co-host Gayle King set the breakfast table this way: "Last week's decision makes it much harder for states to create districts favoring minority candidates." What CBS should say is "districts favoring minority Democrats."
BROADCAST BIAS: NPR, PBS BOSSES DEFEND OUTLANDISH SPIN, ABC, NBC, CBS HAVE A CRAZY REACTION
Another TV trick is what we call the "covert liberal activist," presented as an average Joe or Jane. According to CBS’s chyron in the O’Keefe story, Rachel Turner was simply an "Alabama Voter," and she was shown lamenting the Supreme Court: "I just felt like I have been hit by a ton of bricks. So, many people gave their actual lives in order to exercise their fundamental right to vote."
In real life, Turner is actually a member of the Alabama Resistors' chapter of Indivisible, a progressive activist group that organizes the "No Kings" protests against Trump. She was featured under that title on a local CBS News report in January protesting ICE enforcement activities: "We have to be persistent if we respond to violence with peace, then eventually we will overcome the troubles that are holding us down today."
On Thursday night, O’Keefe was back on CBS to lament the Republican state legislature in Tennessee "broke up a majority Black district," but didn’t note that the district’s Democrat congressman is white, or that a black Republican woman has run against him. O’Keefe relayed: "Tennessee Democrats could do little more than protest the move, and they did that standing in a line, shouting at Republicans as they voted overwhelmingly to drop the state's one Democratic congressional seat."
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS RIPPED BY WASHINGTON POST FOR 'POWER GRAB' GERRYMANDERING EFFORT
On NBC, anchor Tom Llamas briefly noted: "We're back now with the intense fight over the redistricting in Tennessee. Democratic lawmakers protesting after Republicans in the state legislature passed a new congressional map in the wake of that landmark Supreme Court decision."
Neither CBS nor NBC bothered to include the sordid note that state Rep. Justin Pearson – a hero on the broadcast networks in a previous legislative fight over gun rights – screamed at state troopers trying to clear out protesters from the chamber: "Move the f--- back! Boy!" and "What the f--- is wrong with you? You stupid motherf----r!" Pearson put out a statement claiming the Republicans committed "a political lynching."
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On Friday, the Virginia Supreme Court struck down a Democrat gerrymandering ballot initiative that passed with only 51.7% of the vote, despite a massive spending advantage. On their streaming channels, the networks hyped the "voter-approved" part. NBC’s Zinhle Essamuah said, "they struck down something that was voter-approved, a Democratic congressional redistricting plan. The Trump administration counting this as a win."
CBS anchor Reed Cowan echoed: "the Virginia Supreme Court just struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan in that state." Reporter Katrina Kaufman claimed, "this is a significant decision because the Democrats will lose four seats in districts in Virginia." That’s terrible math. It means the Republicans won’t lose four seats they currently have.
On that ridiculous hub of everyday misinformation they call "The View," host Whoopi Goldberg claimed absolutely nothing has changed in the South over the last 60 years: "We put the Voting Rights Act together because there was an issue, because they were keeping people from voting! They were literally shooting people! They were running them down with dogs to keep them from voting! OK? Let's start with that. So, when they say that problem is gone, it's not gone, because you're still doing it! You're still doing it!"
It’s this stubborn resistance to facts – that we are no longer in an era of rigid segregation and systemic racism, that there can never be a turning point on race – that underlines what’s wrong with the "news" we get from the broadcast networks.
Connecticut pro-Second Amendment group sounds alarm on Glock-style ban, fear Democrats will go even further
Second Amendment advocates in Connecticut are sounding the alarm on a new bill they claim will limit self-defense options, and say they're worried Democrats will go even further in targeting more guns next.
The bill, introduced by Democrats in Connecticut, would effectively ban most Glock-style pistols that can be converted into a machine gun. Specifically, it targets any semiautomatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar that can be altered by hand or with a common household tool to accept a converter device, enabling it to fire automatically.
However, Connecticut Citizens Defense League President Holly Sullivan told Fox News Digital that statewide Democrats chose to go after law-abiding citizens instead of criminals by passing this piece of legislation.
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"They're not going after the criminals that are breaking the law. They're simply going after the law abiding Americans that are owning commonly owned handguns," Sullivan said. "And instead of banning or handling the criminal aspect of this, they're simply taking away one of the most popular handguns in our country."
BLUE STATE GUN CRACKDOWN CALLED OUT AS THREAT TO LAW-ABIDING OWNERS
"Connecticut likes to tout that we have some of the strongest gun laws in America, yet they don't seem to know how to deal with criminals that are actually in violation of those laws," she said.
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Sullivan said she's concerned Democrats won't stop with banning most Glock-style pistols, and will go even further.
"For anybody who doesn't live in a deep blue state like this, I hope the message is resonated that they're never satisfied, whether they come for the rifles or they come for the Glocks, what is after that, we don't know." Sullivan said. "They don't want their constituents to have firearms and they don't how to deal with the criminals that are misusing them."
NRA SUES CALIFORNIA OVER BAN ON GLOCK-STYLE FIREARMS: 'VIOLATES THE SECOND AMENDMENT'
The bill was raised by Democrats Wednesday morning within the 3 a.m. hour, and passed shortly after, according to News 8. Democrat Cathy Osten was the only member of her party who joined Republicans in their attempt to block the bill.
NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford told Fox News Digital that the bill creates "barriers to their right to self-defense."
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"And all it does is reduces the options that law-abiding gun owners have to protect themselves and their families. As we know, when seconds count, the police are minutes away. So taking away self-defense options for law-abiding residents of Connecticut is never the answer. The answer is holding criminals accountable for their actions, prosecuting them, and making sure they stay behind bars when they have been convicted," Commerford said.
MD, BALTIMORE MAYOR TARGET GLOCK FOR SELLING PISTOLS THAT CAN BE CONVERTED INTO MACHINE GUNS
Proponents of the bill claim its aim is to close loopholes that allow Glock-style pistols to be converted into machine guns.
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"The legislation is keeping up with the technology and as the technology evolves, this law is going to cover that for closing a lot of loopholes, for ghost guns, as well as keeping machine guns off our streets," Earl Bloodworth with Connecticut Against Gun Violence told WFSB. "Every time a ‘switch’ turns a handgun into a machine gun, the heartbeat of a community quickens with fear. For too long, we have watched technology outpace our laws while families pay the price in grief and trauma that never truly heals."
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Chris Stone, director of State and Local Affairs for Gun Owners of America, said the bill "does nothing to stop criminals, who already illegally possess machine guns and conversion devices in violation of federal law."
"Instead, it punishes law-abiding manufacturers, retailers, and Connecticut gun owners by targeting firearms in common use for self-defense, precisely the type of arms protected by the Second Amendment," he said.
The bill is now headed to Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk and will go into law if he signs it.
Fox News Digital reached out to Lamont's office and Glock for comment.
Beet demand explodes as Americans chase health benefits in superfood boom
Beets are no longer just a niche health food — they're becoming a mainstream staple as demand rises across farms, restaurants and supplements, reflecting a broader shift in how Americans eat.
The red, purple or sometimes gold root vegetable — not to be confused with its white cousin, the sugar beet — is low-calorie and packed with nutrients and compounds linked to benefits, ranging from brain health to athletic performance.
Several studies suggest beets may help lower blood pressure, increase blood flow and protect arteries.
MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN: 6 FOODS AND DRINK WITH POWERFUL MEDICAL BENEFITS
"That's in large part because beets are naturally rich in nitrates, a compound that our bodies convert to nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator that relaxes and widens blood vessels," as The Washington Post recently noted.
"Beets are also high in fiber, vitamins and other plant compounds that reduce inflammation and promote metabolic health."
More recently, demand for beet supplements — including capsules, powders, gummies and juice shots — has surged.
Some health experts note, however, that these forms may provide less fiber and fewer benefits than eating the whole vegetable.
DOCTORS IN TRAINING LEARN COOKING SKILLS TO HELP PATIENTS AMID AMERICA'S CHRONIC DISEASE CRISIS
"Beet acreage has more than doubled since the 2007 census," according to a 2025 Penn State Extension report.
Dedicated beet farming now spans 17,013 acres across 7,543 operations nationwide.
Beets are also appearing more frequently on restaurant menus and in diet-tracking apps.
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"Beets have definitely become more prominent on menus in recent years," Robert Mahon, managing partner of Mahon Hospitality Group in New York City, told Fox News Digital.
"They hit a sweet spot for operators. They're cost-effective, versatile and align well with the growing demand for healthier, plant-forward dishes."
Beets consistently rank among the top 10 most-searched vegetables on meal-logging apps, driven by their reputation as "nutritional overachievers" and because "users want to do more with less," said California-based Aarika Chilson, founder of the website Just Beet It.
Yet another expert told Fox News Digital there's "a deeper consumer behavior shift" driving the beet craze.
That's according to Ravi Sawhney, founder of California-based RKS Design and creator of Psycho-Aesthetics, who studies why people adopt certain products and trends.
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"Consumers are choosing foods that reinforce how they see themselves," Sawhney said. "Beets have become a signal of being health-aware, elevated and intentional, and restaurants are responding by designing menus that reflect that aspirational identity."
Mahon agreed that "it's less of a passing craze and more part of a broader move toward simple, ingredient-led cooking that still delivers on flavor and presentation."
But the earthy taste isn't for everybody.
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"A recent Mintel (2025) survey revealed that while earth-root vegetables like beets and turnips are now more commonly offered in restaurants, they are also more polarizing in terms of tasting experiences," Penn State Extension reported.
"When it comes to preferences by generations, interestingly, 49% of baby boomers (born 1946–1964) mentioned that they had tried and liked beets, while only 36% of Generation Z (born 1997-2012) had tried and liked them."
Preferences may ultimately come down to preparation.
Beets, Mahon said, "work well across formats — salads, sides, starters — which makes them easy to integrate without overhauling a menu."
California professor accused of killing pro-Israel protester will 'likely' avoid lengthy prison sentence
The Jewish community is outraged after a California district attorney's office signaled that a community college professor could escape a lengthy prison sentence after he struck an elderly pro-Israel protester with a megaphone, which led to him falling backwards onto the ground and later dying at the hospital from blunt force trauma, according to the medical examiner.
Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji, 53, an anti-Israel community college professor, was initially ordered to stand trial after hitting a pro-Israel protester, Paul Kessler, 69, in the head with a megaphone, who was standing across the street from him during dueling pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian protests in Thousand Oaks, located in Ventura County, California, in 2023. Kessler fell backwards to the ground after being struck by Alnaji striking his head and sending him to the hospital before passing away shortly thereafter from blunt force trauma, according to the medical examiner.
The incident took place against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war tensions and concerns about antisemitism rising in the United States and more broadly. Alnaji was initially facing up to four years in prison for the matter as he fought the charges against him, but on Tuesday he reversed course and the court "indicated that it is likely to place Alnaji on formal probation with up to 365 days in jail," according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, which said it was displeased with the move.
GERMAN OFFICIALS WARN ISLAMIST, FAR-LEFT RHETORIC DRIVING SPIKE IN ANTISEMITIC ATTACKS
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Derek Malan, who offered Alnaji probation if he changed his plea, according to the Ventura County Star, reportedly likened the altercation to if "two old guys had a dispute and an accident happened," Defense attorney Ron Bamieh said, after noting the offer came after multiple meetings between him and the judge.
A defense source familiar with the case said that the district attorney's office was also involved in these talks, despite public statements indicating they were unhappy with the outcome. The defense source said the district attorney's office had to take a harsher stance for political reasons.
"Alnaji should be sentenced to prison for his violent behavior, and our office strongly objects to any lesser sentence," said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. "While no amount of punishment will ever fully account for the Kessler family loss, a prison commitment underscores the severity of this crime and will deter others from committing similar acts of violence."
A prosecutor also said Kessler’s family opposed the sentence and sought the maximum term.
ANTISEMITIC ATTACKER FACED 30-YEAR SENTENCE, GETS LESS THAN 1½ YEARS IN PLEA DEAL
However, the defense source said that prior to the plea this week, the victim's family wanted the case over quickly and quietly, without a trial, and did not have a strong opinion about sentencing. The source also contested claims that anyone had actually seen the full incident occur and insisted there were numerous contradictions in the eyewitness accounts provided that alleged Alnaji was the aggressor.
"Mr. Alnaji made a thoughtful decision today, one guided by his family's well-being and a deep concern for community peace. The tragedy that befell Mr. Kessler, compounded by the geopolitical tensions surrounding Israel and Gaza, led Mr. Alnaji to reconsider pursuing a full trial," Bamieh said in a statement. "The evidence regarding Mr. Kessler's aggressive conduct, his history of advocating violence and antagonistic tactics at pro-Palestinian rallies, and most critically, his brain stem condition—all of these facts would likely have shifted the outcome of a trial."
The defense has argued that a pre-existing brain injury is actually what caused Kessler's death, not blunt force trauma as was determined by the medical examiner.
ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS CLASH WITH NYPD OFFICERS NEAR SYNAGOGUE
"For those who have characterized Mr. Alnaji as a violent man who intentionally struck a helpless victim, I simply say: they are either uninformed about the facts of this case, or they are pursuing an agenda unrelated to justice. The record tells a different story," Bamieh concluded.
Jonathan Oswaks, a friend of Kessler's who was at the rally with him when the incident took place, told the Jewish Journal that the sentencing news was "deeply frustrating."
"I’m not a lawyer, but the way this was handled raises serious questions for me. It sends a troubling message about accountability," he told the Jewish Journal in an interview.
Oswaks recounted moments from the event in his interview with the outlet, noting how the pro-Palestinian protesters vastly outnumbered them that day. He said after the pair had split up, people began approaching him and stood inches from his face yelling into his ear and using a megaphone.
"When I tell you I had never experienced that level of hate in my life, I hadn’t," he said. "I told them to get out of my space. They backed off briefly, then started again. I made it clear they needed to stay away, and eventually they did."
After news of the deal came down, the Anti-Defamation League expressed disfavor with the likely sentencing outcome, arguing it "emboldens others to act in anger against the Jewish community."
Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and chief executive of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, said that "while we would have liked a harsher sentence," he welcomed "the admission of guilt for this heinous crime," according to the L.A. Times.
"Our hope is that today’s news helps bring closure to his family and gives our community the ability to demonstrate safely," Farkas added.
Alnaji's sentencing is scheduled for June 25, and he remains at home after posting $50,000 bail.
WWE Backlash 2026 preview, predictions and more
WWE Backlash is the first premium live event to be held after WrestleMania 42.
The show will take place at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday night at 6 p.m. ET. The show will feature five matches with two titles up for grabs – the World Heavyweight Championship and the United States Championship.
John Cena is also set to announce "history-making news" at the event.
Read below for a brief preview of each match and predictions.
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The rivalry between Iyo Sky and Asuka has been hot going back before WrestleMania 42. Asuka had tried to get inside Sky’s head over the last few weeks and it culminated in Asuka interfering in Sky’s Women’s Intercontinental Championship match against Becky Lynch.
Sky lost the match thanks to Asuka. The two had a heated promo on "Monday Night Raw" in which Asuka blinded Sky with blue mist.
This match could be a show-stealer. Sky and Asuka have enormous history together going back to their time in Japan. They were also a part of Damage CTRL in WWE – one of the most fearsome female factions in WWE before they broke up.
Prediction: Iyo Sky pulls out the win in a fantastic match.
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Trick Williams won the United States Championship against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42 in one of the wildest upsets on the show. But their rivalry continued as Zayn got back at Williams by dressing up as the gingerbread man and attacking the champion.
Zayn will get his rematch with Williams at Backlash as he’s still upset with being made a fool out of. His emotions boiled over at the funeral for the gingerbread man on "Friday Night SmackDown."
Zayn tried to make a point at the funeral that he had too much respect for the business to allow Williams to have a funeral for the character. It was a note that Zayn hit on throughout the final show before Backlash as he was confused about why it was happening in the first place.
Williams has received fan support since he made his run to the U.S. title. Zayn vowed to "disrespect" Williams during their match at Backlash and assaulted him. Zayn didn’t expect the equalizer – Lil Yachty – to rise out of the coffin and hit him with a candy cane. Williams then hit Zayn with a Trick Shot.
Prediction: Sami Zayn takes back the title over Trick Williams and gets revenge on Lil Yachty.
Wildcard prediction: Kevin Owens makes his return to help Sami Zayn recapture the title.
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This will be the most intriguing match going into Backlash.
Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker have been at each other’s throats since Breakker cost Rollins a win over Gunther at WrestleMania 42. Breakker had been on the mend with an injury before he crushed Rollins with multiple spears in Las Vegas.
Rollins has been trying to get back at Breakker since the attack. The two have smacked each other around in the weeks since and traded barbs over their places within the company.
While Breakker has The Vision behind him in the match, Rollins has not been able to find anyone he could trust. The Street Profits, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, have had their eyes on Logan Paul and Austin Theory, while Rollins has maintained focus on Breakker. But Rollins and the Street Profits have made clear they didn’t really like, nor trust, each other.
Don’t forget the other missing member of The Vision – Bronson Reed. There’s been no official timetable for his return from injury. But you never know who could be lurking in the shadows in Tampa.
Prediction: Seth Rollins picks up the win, but The Vision get the last laugh.
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The Miz and Kit Wilson have tried to get out of the Danhausen "curse" for weeks. Danhausen has tormented both WWE stars since he arrived at the company, including at WrestleMania 42.
In the last two weeks, The Miz and Wilson have beaten down Danhausen, leading to the tag team match at Backlash. Danhausen has a singles wins over Wilson and The Miz.
The most interesting part of the storyline is who will come to Danhausen’s aid. He’s been cooking up a "clone" in his lab to get someone in his corner. Everyone from Jelly Roll, John Cena, CM Punk, Stephen A. Smith and even Shane McMahon have been rumored to be the person to back up Danhausen.
The only hint that came out is Michael Cole saying that the person who will be in Danhausen’s corner loves money.
Prediction: Danhausen wins in a goofy and fun way. As for his tag team partner, it really could be Punk as the two have a history together. But it’s really up in the air.
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John Cena has teased all week that he will make an announcement that will shake up the WWE.
In all likelihood, the announcement could be the official opening of Club WWE. Cena has been in the advertisements for the subscription service touting all of the features that will come to anyone who signs up for it.
What if it was something else? There are a few things Cena could announce that would have the WWE Universe abuzz, including a two-night Royal Rumble, the location of WrestleMania 44 or the addition of a new premium live event featuring All-Stars from WWE and NXT.
It may not be any of that, but it’s fun to think about.
Cena will be at his second event as the host since winding down his in-ring career. He finished it in December, losing to Gunther. He won his history-making 17th WWE title at WrestleMania 41.
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Roman Reigns’ first promo on "Monday Night Raw" as the world heavyweight champion was interrupted by Jacob Fatu in the immediate aftermath of WrestleMania 42.
Fatu said he wanted the title and everything that came with it because he has a family to feed and money he needs to bring to the table.
Reigns and Fatu come from the same bloodline of Samoan pro wrestlers. Reigns is a second-generation wrestler from the Anoa’i family tree, while Fatu is from the third generation. Reigns is the son of Sika Anoa’i and Fatu is the son of The Tonga Kid and the nephew of Haku.
Haku was known for using the Tongan death grip, which is a fabled wrestling move that sees the attacker grip their opponent’s throat. Fatu used it on Reigns in the last two weeks and is likely to break it out again during his match against Reigns at Backlash.
Reigns tried to avoid it during their skirmish on Monday. Reigns previously warned Fatu against using the move on his own blood. But Fatu’s desperation to win the championship has been the driving motivator.
It will be a big fight feel when these two meet on Saturday.
Prediction: Roman Reigns retains the World Heavyweight Championship.
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WWE Backlash can be seen on ESPN Unlimited with the first hour being aired on ESPN 2.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. buries mouthy NASCAR fan who attempted to insult his intelligence
Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR's most popular driver 15 years in a row from 2003-17, knows a thing or two about how to win the award.
That's usually how it works when ... you win something 15 (!!!) years in a row. If I did something 15 times in a row, I would assume I'd be pretty darn good at it by the fourth or fifth year. At least by the tenth. Lord knows I'd be unstoppable come Year 15.
Anyway, Junior retired after the 2017 Cup season, officially handing the reins over to Chase Elliott, who has won the award every year for the past decade. He's pretty good, too, but not quite up to Junior's level ... yet.
As for Dale, he's now a car owner, and, more importantly, an Internet security guard when it comes to all things NASCAR.
He's not afraid to get down in the trenches when someone gets a little sassy, and that's exactly what happened this week when one fan got a little mouthy about this year's race for most popular driver.
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The discussion centered around Carson Hocevar — who recently won his first career Cup race at Talladega — and whether he could realistically unseat Elliott if he had the backing of YouTuber-turned-ARCA-star, Cleetus McFarland.
Take a look:
Dale: "Cleatus would have to campaign on social daily to make it competitive."
Internet troll: "You don’t know that. You’re just dismissing him and it’s clear the disrespect you have based on the way you spelled Cleetus wrong on purpose. I’ll reiterate that u don’t know bc the numbers ain’t released publicly."
Dale: "I won it 15 times and have a pretty solid understanding of how it works."
Game, set, match. Forget the checkered ... wave the white flag! It's over. Another win for an Earnhardt, this time in 2026.
Again, Dale Jr. won the award 15 times. In fact, the history of NASCAR's most popular driver is actually quite insane. Since the 1980s, it's been dominated by either an Earnhardt or an Elliott. That's pretty much it.
Bill Elliott won the award a record 16 times (84-88, 91-2000, 2002). Dale Earnhardt won it in 2001, the same year he tragically died in the Daytona 500. Elliott won it once more the following year, and then Earnhardt Jr. locked it down for the next 15 seasons.
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So, yes — Dale Jr. knows a thing or two about how to win. No, he probably didn't have to do much campaigning on social media, as he suggests, back in the day. Partly because social media didn't really exist when he drove, and partly because he's Dale Earnhardt Jr. and he was always going to win the award as long as he drove.
BUT, he's now a car owner. He's been in the sport for a decade post-retirement, and knows how it works. In fact, a JR Motorsports driver has won the award every year since 2012 down in the Xfinity Series.
So, yes, Dale knows how to win this award. If he says Carson Hocevar needs to campaign daily for the next seven months to win it, I'd listen. Or don't.
Personally, I don't think another driver wins until Chase Elliott retires, anyway.
LGBTQ ‘lavender graduations’ set to take place at major Christian colleges, including one with a drag show
Some of the country's most prominent Catholic colleges and universities are holding separate LGBTQ-affirming graduation ceremonies this spring, including one that also plans to include a drag performance.
At least 20 colleges or universities associated with the Catholic Church have held, or plan to hold, these "lavender graduation" ceremonies and celebrations, which are done separate from the main commencement ceremony and are intended to "honor and celebrate the achievements of our LGBTQ+ graduates," according to a Fox News Digital review of university websites and social media posts.
The term "lavender" has been used to describe LGBTQ+ affiliations amongst the gay community for decades, but the phrase has also carried a loaded meaning in Catholic circles, where critics have used it in phrases like "lavender mafia" to refer to alleged homosexual networks within Church institutions.
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The schools that have held, or plan to hold these graduation events, include Georgetown, Gonzaga, the University of San Francisco, Boston College, College of the Holy Cross, Fordham, Fairfield University, Marquette, Xavier, Seattle University, Saint Louis University, Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara University, St. John's, Albertus Magnus College, St. Mary's College of California, Regis University, Siena Heights University, St. Thomas University and Our Lady of the Lake University.
The ceremonies sparked criticism from Catholic watchdog the Cardinal Newman Society, an education advocacy group focused on ensuring Catholic schools uphold traditional church teachings. The society, which first highlighted several of the "lavender" ceremonies taking place this year, argues that the events promote an ideology at odds with the church's teaching.
One of the schools holding a separate LGBTQ+ graduation, Seattle University, indicates on its website that their "Lavender Celebration" will even include "a special performance" from "Sativa the Drag Queen," who, later this month, is headlining an event called "DICK'S DELUXE DRAG EXTRAVAGANZA."
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At the University of San Francisco, the school's website indicates it plans to hold a "Queer Prom" directly after their "Lavender Commencement."
Other schools plan to give special honors, host various keynote speakers and provide students with unique cords or stoles they can wear with their cap and gown. Some events included food, drinks and other activities as well.
"Although intended as a compassionate gesture to students, the ceremonies reinforce harmful ideologies about sexuality and gender that contradict Catholic teaching," the Cardinal Newman Society said in a news release about the graduation ceremonies.
"They potentially lead students into sinful activity and undermine a Catholic college’s claim to teach the truths of the Catholic faith," the Catholic education group continued. "The Church is clear in its teaching that sexual attraction to persons of the same sex is not itself a sin, but such attractions are 'objectively disordered.'"
Several of the same Catholic universities hosting LGBTQ-focused "lavender" graduation events also advertise separate cultural or identity-based commencement celebrations for non-White students, according to university event pages.
Regulators allow Obama-era solar plant to kill thousands of birds annually, investigation finds
Regulators are allowing an Obama-era "clean energy" solar plant to continue operating even as its reflected solar beams kill thousands of birds each year, with no fines or enforcement action taken since it opened, a Fox News Digital investigation has found.
The Ivanpah Solar Power Plant, a sprawling facility built with taxpayer support in the Mojave Desert near the California–Nevada border, remains in compliance under existing regulations, even as birds are burned, injured or killed after flying through the beams which reflect sunlight onto the plant's three central towers.
Regulators were aware of those risks before approving the project as part of a broader push to expand renewable energy. Today, it remains in compliance, meaning the wildlife deaths documented at the site fall within limits set under its environmental approvals. That framework allows the plant to continue operating even as thousands of birds are killed each year.
"Staff is not aware of any formal enforcement actions or fines issued by either the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife related to avian or wildlife mortality at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System," the California Energy Commission, which oversees large energy projects in the state, told Fox News Digital.
The commission also said it knows of no special regulatory exemptions for renewable energy projects related to wildlife impacts. Instead, the project was approved as long as monitoring and mitigation requirements would be carried out, meaning some level of wildlife mortality was anticipated.
The futuristic-looking facility, known for its three large towers that glow brightly when powered on, was approved during the Obama-era push to rapidly expand renewable energy following the 2008 financial crisis — part of a broader effort to cut emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels in the name of climate change.
At the time, it was hailed as the future of "clean energy" technology, and the federal government provided a $539 million grant for its construction, along with a separate $1.6 billion loan.
But its technology quickly became outdated by conventional solar panels that absorb sunlight directly and convert it into electricity, making Ivanpah's energy more expensive to produce. The plant also relies on natural gas to start up each day – producing tens of thousands of metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
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Researchers say birds are drawn to the bright towers, then fly through the plant’s concentrated solar beams — known as solar flux — where they can be injured or killed. Researchers dubbed the phenomenon "streamers," and a video released by the U.S. Geological Survey shows a bird trailing smoke as its feathers burn. Songbirds, doves, warblers and other migratory species have been found dead at the plant.
Environmental reviews examined by Fox News Digital show that regulators were aware before construction that the project could kill birds, either by being burned by the plant’s concentrated sunlight or colliding with the tens of thousands of mirrors that surround the three towers like lakes. They also raised concerns about damage to the 4,000-acre physical desert habitat it was going to occupy, as well as to protected species that roam the barren terrain, such as the endangered desert tortoise, dozens of which went unaccounted for during early operations.
The project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement warned that climate efforts could come "at the expense of reducing the native biodiversity."
Even with those warnings, regulators approved the project, allowing it to move forward on the basis that ongoing monitoring and mitigation requirements would be carried out, rather than requiring those risks to be resolved.
A 2016 congressional review raised similar concerns, finding no clear evidence that federal agencies had pursued penalties for bird deaths at Ivanpah — a pattern that appears to have continued.
The plant is regulated under a system that tracks wildlife deaths but does not automatically trigger fines or shutdowns.
Monitoring reports show hundreds of birds are found dead at the site each year, with some estimates putting the total in the thousands.
Responsibility for enforcement is shared across multiple agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management, each of which has authority over different aspects of the project, the CEC said.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it reviews monitoring data and provides technical input but did not indicate enforcement action tied to bird deaths at the site.
NRG Energy, which operates the facility, said in a previous statement it remains committed to providing renewable electricity but declined to provide additional comment regarding environmental issues.
Instead of being treated like a typical environmental violation, the project is governed through a permitting system that emphasizes monitoring and mitigation rather than penalties.
In practice, that means harm can be documented without triggering enforcement action even though federal authorities have pursued penalties for bird deaths in other industries.
Under federal law, violations involving protected migratory birds can carry fines of up to $15,000 per bird.
Such prosecutions of industry have become rare in the United States, however. In 2017, the Department of the Interior reinterpreted the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to apply only to intentional killings — not "incidental" deaths caused by industrial activity such as oil pits, power lines or wind turbines. Federal courts, including the Fifth Circuit, have since reinforced that narrower reading, limiting the government's ability to penalize companies for equipment-related bird deaths.
But even efforts to reduce harm — including deterrents, lighting changes and operational adjustments — have not eliminated the problem at Ivanpah, with monitoring reports continuing to document annual wildlife deaths.
More than a decade later, Ivanpah shows what that system looks like in practice: a project approved as clean energy that kills wildlife, relies on fossil fuels and continues operating without penalties.
WATCH: Experts weigh in on future of $2.2B Obama-era Ivanpah solar plant as regulators keep it open
This is part 3 of a series on California's troubled Ivanpah Solar Power Plant in the Mojave Desert
Part 1 - Obama-backed $2.2B green energy 'boondoggle' leaves taxpayers on the hook