Flowers arranged in front of a gas station sign in a makeshift memorial, with people holding an Israeli flag behind it.

Community members gathered for a press briefing at a makeshift memorial for Paul Kessler at the location where he died in Thousand Oaks, Calif. in 2023.Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images file

July 1, 2026, 8:09 PM EDT / Updated July 1, 2026, 8:17 PM EDTBy Phil Helsel

A protester who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of an elderly Jewish man during a 2023 demonstration in California over the war in Gaza was sentenced this week to one year in county jail, prosecutors said.

Paul Kessler, 69, fell and hit his head during a confrontation with the protester, Loay Alnaji, 53, on a street corner in Thousand Oaks near Los Angeles on Nov. 5, 2023. Kessler died the next day.

Alnaji was part of a pro-Palestinian group protesting over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Kessler was demonstrating in support of Israel, authorities have said.

Alnaji called 911 and stayed at the scene after the fall, officials said.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said Alnaji “escalated a verbal altercation to a physical confrontation” with Kessler and that Alnaji struck Kessler in the head with a megaphone.

The prosecutor’s office said it argued for a sentence in state prison and objected to the sentence of one year in county jail and two years of probation that was imposed Tuesday.

Alnaji pleaded guilty on May 5 to involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury, both felonies, as well as a special allegation of causing great bodily injury, the district attorney’s office said.

“Mr. Kessler lost his life in a violent attack that took him from his family and his wife of 43 years,” Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said in a statement. “Given the circumstances of this case and the death that resulted, we believe a state prison commitment was the appropriate and just sentence.”

Professor arrested after Jewish man’s death during California protest02:59

The altercation and Kessler’s death came as protests were occurring around the United States over Israel’s war in Gaza, which it launched after the Hamas-led attack against Israel in October 2023.

Kessler’s widow wrote in a victim’s impact statement that “there are no words to describe the pain of losing a husband in such a sudden and violent way,” according to the district attorney’s office.

“The grief is relentless. The silence in our house, the absence of his voice, his companionship, his love and the future we had planned together are losses I carry with me everyday,” she wrote, according to the office.

Alnaji’s attorney Ron Bamieh said it was an accident and that Alnaji moved to swat Kessler’s phone away from his face and unintentionally hit Kessler with the megaphone, the Ventura Daily Star reported Tuesday after the sentencing.

“The rules do support a grant of probation in this case,” Ventura County Superior Court Judge Derek Malan said at sentencing, according to the newspaper. The judge also told the audience at the hearing that the charges filed did not allege an intentional killing or a hate crime, it reported.

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Phil Helsel

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Spain vs. Austria odds, prediction, time: 2026 World Cup Round of 32 picks from expert on 12-5 roll

Spain looks to continue their march towards their second World Cup championship since 2010 when they battle Austria in a 2026 World Cup Round of 32 matchup on Thursday. Spain, who are third in the FIFA rankings, won Group H by outscoring opponents 5-0. Austria, meanwhile, finished second in Group J. They defeated Jordan 3-1, lost to Argentina 2-0 and played to a 3-3 draw with Algeria. Austria is looking for its best World Cup finish since taking third in 1954.

Kickoff for Spain vs. Austria is 3 p.m. ET from Inglewood, Calif. The latest Spain vs. Austria odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Spain at -300 (risk $300 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line, with Austria at +900 and a draw at +425. The over/under for total goals is 2.5. Spain are -950 to advance, with Austria at +610. Before locking in any Spain vs. Austria picks or World Cup 2026 predictions, check out the Spain vs. Austria predictions from SportsLine's Jon Eimer.

Eimer is a high-volume bettor who has vast knowledge of leagues and players across the globe. Since joining SportsLine, he has covered the English Premier League, Champions League, Serie A, the FA Cup, and much more. He's been red-hot on his soccer betting picks in 2026, posting a 31-13-2 record and returning over $1,200 of profit on his Champions League picks. He's also off to a fast start in the World Cup and is on an 25-15-2 run (63%) on WC picks. Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.

Now, Eimer has studied Spain vs. Austria and just revealed his 2026 World Cup picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several World Cup odds and soccer betting lines for Austria vs. Spain:

Spain vs. Austria 90-minute money line	Spain -320, Austria +950, Draw +420
Spain vs. Austria over/under:	2.5 goals
Spain vs. Austria to qualify for next round:	Spain -950, Austria +610
Spain vs. Austria picks:	See picks at SportsLine
Spain vs. Austria streaming:	Fubo (Try for free)

Top Spain vs. Austria predictions

After examining Spain vs. Austria from every angle, Eimer is leaning Under 2.5 total goals (+106). Eimer sees Spain as being the much more talented side, but hasn't played at their best yet. Austria, meanwhile, are taking part in the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and have been one of the more exciting teams so far.

"This is one of the harder to predict Round of 32 matches for me," Eimer said. "If Spain was playing how they should be playing it would be easy, but right now it's a coin-flip of which Spain side shows up." With all of the uncertainties entering the match, Eimer is taking the Under. See Eimer's best bets for Spain vs. Austria at SportsLine, and you can bet the Under in Spain vs. Austria at FanDuel here:

How to make Spain vs. Austria picks

After studying the Spain vs. Austria matchup from every angle, Eimer has found a critical x-factor and locked in two plus-money best bets. You can head to SportsLine to see what they are.

So what are the best bets for Spain vs. Austria? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Spain vs. Austria, all from expert on a 25-15 roll on World Cup picks, and find out.

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Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins carries young fan off field after collapse during national anthem

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Walker Jenkins went 3-for-5 with a double, triple and child helped on Tuesday. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins via Getty Images)

Jack BaerStaff writerThu, July 2, 2026 at 12:37 AM UTC·1 min read

Minnesota Twins minor leaguer Walker Jenkins stepped up before Tuesday's St. Paul Saints game in a way that had nothing to do with his top prospect status.

Jenkins, the No. 14 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, went viral on Wednesday via a video that showed him taking care of a young fan who collapsed while standing with the players during the national anthem.

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Jenkins noticed the fan wobbling and was soon carrying him off the field, eventually giving him to a staff member at the dugout.

The Saints, the Twins' Triple-A affiliate, confirmed Wednesday morning that the boy, named Lincoln, is doing well and has received some team merchandise.

After helping Lincoln, Jenkins proceeded to go 3-for-5 with a double, triple and three runs scored in a 12-6 win over the Buffalo Bisons. He was a home run shy of the cycle.

The Twins selected Jenkins fifth overall out of South Brunswick High School in North Carolina in the 2023 MLB Draft. He quickly developed into one of the best prospects in the minors, showcasing five-tool talent while playing well above his age at each level.

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This season, Jenkins, 21, is slashing .273/.394/.436 in 30 games with the Saints.

Philadelphia 76ers among teams expressing interest in LeBron James: Source

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Philadelphia 76ers among teams expressing interest in LeBron James: Source

LeBron James and Joel Embiid shake hands after a February game between the Lakers and Sixers. Adam Pantozzi / Getty Images

By Tony JonesJuly 1, 2026 8:39 pm EDT Updated

The Philadelphia 76ers have expressed interest in acquiring free agent forward LeBron James, a league source who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations told The Athletic.

On the heels of Wednesday night’s blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown — which sent Paul George and multiple draft picks to the Boston Celtics — the Sixers have thrown their hat into the proverbial ring for the star forward, who became an unrestricted free agent after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Philadelphia makes sense from a basketball perspective. The 76ers have enough scoring, depth and ballhandling at the top of the roster to allow James to ease into a role. And with James — or even without him — Philadelphia projects as a championship contender. The Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are also considered among the frontrunners for James’ services.

James, 41, remains an All-Star-caliber player and one of the league’s most impactful talents. The 76ers were eliminated in the second round of last season’s playoffs by the New York Knicks, who went on to win the NBA championship.

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