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Knicks Alert: Why Ignoring Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs Teammates Could Be a Costly Mistake

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The San Antonio Spurs are more than just the phenomenon that is Victor Wembanyama.

While he naturally draws the spotlight, given his emerging status as a league icon and his mesmerizing abilities as a 7-foot-4 standout, there’s more to the team.

At his peak, Wembanyama transforms the game with his remarkable scoring, defense, and rebounding skills.

However, the Spurs owe their spot as the Knicks’ rivals in the Finals to a remarkable team effort beyond just Wembanyama’s contributions.

“Wemby is obviously going to be a focal point for both game strategies and media coverage,” Josh Hart remarked after Sunday’s practice. “But we can’t underestimate players like De’Aaron [Fox], [Stephon] Castle, [Dylan] Harper, [Julian] Champagnie. Overlooking them could make this series a tough one. We need to give them the recognition they’ve earned and maintain our focus.”

Much of that supporting cast revolves around the Spurs backcourt.

It is one of the more dynamic backcourt units in the league.


San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) and guard Dylan Harper (2) react in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game seven of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) and guard Dylan Harper (2) react in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game seven of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

And they’re almost all young — Castle is 21, Harper is 20, Devin Vassell is 25 and Champagnie is 24.

The 28-year-old Fox is the elder statesman of the group.

“They’re relentless,” Miles McBride said Sunday. “I feel like they just have this … they’re young. They have that mentality of, ‘Just go out there and scrap and make it a tough game.’ So, I love that, and we’ll be ready ourselves.”

The Knicks perimeter and point-of-attack defense has been terrific this postseason.

Mikal Bridges and Hart, in particular, have repeatedly stifled opposing ball handlers — whether it was Nickeil Alexander-Walker and (eventually) CJ McCollum in the first round, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe in the second round or James Harden and Donovan Mitchell in the conference finals.

Fox, Castle, Harper, Champagnie and even Vassell are all capable of erupting for big scoring nights.



Excluding the games Wembanyama missed with a concussion and the game from which he was ejected early, the Spurs had someone other than him lead them in scoring eight times this postseason.

It was Castle five times, Fox twice and Harper once.

How the Knicks try to defend Wembanyama is of utmost importance.


De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 30, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
De’Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 30, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty Images

But how they fare against the Spurs backcourt will be a major factor in the series.

And the ability of that backcourt to break down defenses and get into the paint only makes Wembanyama more dangerous by forcing his defender to help off him.

The backcourt’s 3-point ability also plays a pivotal role in making defenses pay for doubling Wembanyama or packing the paint to limit his interior presence.

Castle and Harper are also terrific perimeter defenders.

They will be two of the Spurs’ top options to guard Jalen Brunson.

“They’re young, athletic, physical, can do a little bit of everything,” Hart said. “Can shoot the ball, finish at the rim at a high level.”

The Spurs have a few important veterans, in addition to Fox, to complement all their youth.

Harrison Barnes is an NBA champion.

Keldon Johnson, the Sixth Man of the Year, is playing his seventh season in the league.

Luke Kornet is in Year 9 and on his sixth team.

“Having the mix that they have with Wemby is a nice recipe,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said Sunday. “… If Fox is in, their backcourt — Fox is a veteran, seasoned player that has been in the playoffs before, been in a Game 7 now a couple of times, and been an All-Star, Clutch Player of the Year, a talented guy. … [Barnes] has been around a long time too, and he’s been on the big stage a few times.

“So they have a nice mix of veteran players and guys that are starting to get in their prime around Wemby. And I think when you have that, you have different messages that you can get from different guys all the time.”

Yes, Wembanyama is the phenom around whom this Finals revolves. But the Spurs have given him a perfect supporting cast — one that makes him even harder to stop.

Explosive Revelation: New Evidence Could Overturn Scott Peterson’s Murder Conviction

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In Las Vegas, a fresh twist has emerged in the notorious Scott Peterson case, as his veteran attorney suggests new evidence could prompt a reevaluation of his murder conviction. This development coincides with the upcoming release of a documentary that revisits the high-profile case.

Set to premiere this summer, the documentary arrives on the heels of a decision by a San Mateo County Superior Court judge on April 27 to reject Peterson’s latest attempt to overturn his conviction. The Los Angeles Innocence Project, advocating on Peterson’s behalf, has announced plans to challenge the ruling in a higher court.

Scott Peterson was found guilty of the murder of his wife, Laci, and their unborn son around December 24, 2002, in Modesto, California. His conviction has been a subject of ongoing debate and media scrutiny.

At CrimeCon in Las Vegas, Mark Geragos, Peterson’s long-serving defense lawyer, expressed to Fox News Digital his skepticism over the evidence linking Peterson to the crime, stating he has “never seen anything that ties Scott Peterson to a criminal conviction in this case.”

Interest in the case continues to captivate audiences, as evidenced by the anticipation surrounding the new docuseries, “American Murder: Laci Peterson,” which features Scott and Laci Peterson, and is set to stream on Netflix. The series promises to shed new light on the tragic events that have remained in the public eye for over two decades.

Geragos said a burned-out van found near the Petersons’ house after a burglary could be connected to the case, and alleged that prosecutors initially hid that piece of evidence.

“There was a van, it was ditched and set on fire very close to the house, within miles,” Gergaos said. “That van contained a treasure trove of evidence that should have been tested in real time, some of which was, some of which still exists, and that they’re actively not trying to or prevent the defense from doing it.”

Scott Peterson appearing in court during a Zoom hearing

Convicted killer Scott Peterson appears in court on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, seeking a new trial. (Courtesy of KTVU)

In a previous court filing, his defense team said Laci Peterson confronted a pair of burglars who were attempting to break into a house across the street Dec. 24, 2002. According to Peterson’s lawyers, that would exonerate him because it would have happened after he left for a fishing trip, meaning he would not have been in the area when his wife disappeared.

Geragos says the Los Angeles Innocence Project gave the court a “laundry list” of items that could be retested for DNA, which was rejected.

Scott Peterson appearing via video call during a court hearing in Redwood City, California

Scott Peterson appears via video call for a status hearing at San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., on March 12, 2024. (Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee/Tribune News Service)

“Why wouldn’t you want to? Why wouldn’t you want vindicate yourself if you’re the prosecution? The only explanation is because you’re not sure that you’ve got the right guy,” Geragos said.

He said that there’s “clearly new stuff that’s gonna come out,” adding “there are still bombshells yet to come.”

Scott Peterson sitting in courtroom with attorney Mark Geragos

Scott Peterson sits in the courtroom at the San Mateo Superior Courthouse with his attorney Mark Geragos in 2004. Peterson was denied bail ahead of a December court hearing where a judge is expected to re-sentence him to life in prison without parole. (Fred Larson-Pool/Getty Images)

Ninette Toosbuy, a retired Los Angeles Police Department detective and private investigator who works with Peterson’s defense team, told Fox News Digital that multiple witnesses contacted the Modesto Police Department and reported they hadn’t seen Laci Peterson on the morning of December 24, but weren’t vetted

“So I think there are two real critical areas where exculpatory information was not provided to the defense team,” Toosbuy said. “One was the multiple witnesses who had contacted Modesto PD to say that they had seen Laci Peterson on the morning of the 24th. Those witnesses were not all vetted out.”

Scott Peterson sitting during police interview in a video still

Scott Peterson is shown in a still image from a police interview on Christmas Day 2002, hours after his pregnant wife Laci Peterson was reported missing in San Mateo County, California. (San Mateo County Court)

“If just one or two witnesses had been vetted and could have confirmed that, in fact, they did see Laci Peterson in the park or in the neighborhood, and that their statement was reliable, that would have immediately, within the first 48 hours, eliminated Scott Peterson as a suspect. And yet that was an area that Modesto PD decided not to pursue. And from my standpoint as an investigator, it’s a real failure of the investigation,” she added.

A&E will release a two-part documentary, “Scott Peterson: The New Evidence,” on July 16 and 17, which will include witness testimony as well as interviews with Geragos and other individuals who were close to the case.

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Bodycam Footage Reveals Police Error Following Unintentional Officer Shooting

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Newly released bodycam footage has brought to light more critical errors made by police officers following the tragic incident in which a Chicago officer was accidentally shot by her partner while on duty.

The incident involved Officer Krystal Rivera, aged 36, who was injured by her colleague Officer Carlos Baker during a pursuit of a suspect within an apartment complex in the Chatham area at approximately 9:50 p.m. on June 5, 2025.

According to footage acquired by the Chicago Sun-Times, there was a delay in transporting Rivera to the hospital as officers struggled to locate the vehicle keys.

The video captures a scene of chaos, with officers frantically urging each other to clear the path as three officers carried Rivera by her limbs out of the building.

Amid the commotion, a female officer could be heard urgently shouting, “Get out of the doorway! Get out of the doorway!”

‘Come on, come on,’ a male officer yelled as they carried her down the sidewalk. 

Others went deeper into the building, assuming the three would get Rivera to the hospital, but they would be quickly called back to the doorway as they needed the keys. 

Nearly a minute after they carried Rivera outside, officers came back in search of the keys. 

Three officers carried her out of the building by her arms and legs

Three officers carried her out of the building by her arms and legs 

‘Whose got keys? Whose got keys? I need keys to get out of here!’ the officer, whose bodycam footage is being shown, yelled. 

As the woman officer who ran back into the building to get the keys realizes they’re the wrong ones, the cops are set into another frenzy to find the right ones. 

‘They’re trying to move the officer out!’ a man screamed. 

The keys were then passed through an assembly line of officers before the man whose bodycam is being shown runs them to the street to hand them to a colleague.  

This came after Baker took cover in the stairwell for more than 90 seconds after shooting Rivera, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. 

Baker accidentally shot Rivera after he appeared to trip over his feet during the pursuit. The bullet hit Rivera, who was standing behind him, the outlet reported. 

Baker told investigators that he carried Rivera down to the first floor before giving his keys to another officer and going back upstairs. 

‘I told them to take her to the hospital,’ he told investigators, The Sun-Times reported.

Chicago Police Officer Carlos Baker shot his ex-girlfriend during a pursuit

Chicago Police Officer Carlos Baker shot his ex-girlfriend during a pursuit 

Officers were delayed in getting her help as they couldn't find the keys to the vehicle

Officers were delayed in getting her help as they couldn’t find the keys to the vehicle 

It took around a minute to get them so they could drive her to the hospital

It took around a minute to get them so they could drive her to the hospital 

Officers then went back to searching for the suspect and there was confusion over who shot Rivera. 

Around 10.30pm, bosses had learned Baker was the one who shot Rivera. It is unclear how they learned this. 

Baker had many complaints against him, which Rivera’s family argued should have taken him off the force prior to the incident where their daughter died. 

Rivera’s family has sued the city over the incident. They accuse him of leaving her ‘to die’ due to their romantic relationship ending after she found out he was living with another woman, The Sun-Times reported. 

Previously released bodycam footage showed he and Rivera getting out of a vehicle and running toward a man outside of an apartment building, demanding he ‘freeze’ and raise his hands.

But the man instead ducked into the building and bounded up the stairs, with Baker and Rivera pursuing close behind.

As Baker made his way up the stairs, with Rivera on his tail, the suspect – who was later identified as Adrian Rucker – ducked into an apartment.

Baker then kicked down the door as the suspect proceeded to flip over the couch.

Rivera, a mother of one, was pronounced dead at a local hospital

Rivera, a mother of one, was pronounced dead at a local hospital 

The suspect ducked into an apartment, where a second man was seen holding a long gun

The suspect ducked into an apartment, where a second man was seen holding a long gun

At that point, another man – later identified as Jaylin Arnold – could be seen exiting a room with a long gun in hand.

Baker appeared to quickly react, turning and firing one shot – and Rivera fell to the ground.

Meanwhile, Baker ran up the stairs, where he caught his breath before asking: ‘Krystal, are you okay?’

When he did not receive an answer, Baker could be heard calling for an ambulance and asserting: ‘I can’t get my partner!’

He also asked another resident of the building to call 911.

But about two minutes later, Baker could be seen going to check on his partner before additional units arrived on the scene to transport her to a local hospital.

Colleagues brought Rivera, a mother-of-one, to University of Chicago Medical Center in a squad car that crashed and caught fire because of a malfunction, according to Police Superintendent Larry Snelling.

Officer Rivera, pictured alongside her friend Officer Lindahl, had reportedly been in an on-and-off relationship with Baker

Officer Rivera, pictured alongside her friend Officer Lindahl, had reportedly been in an on-and-off relationship with Baker

She was then transported in another squad car, and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

An ensuing autopsy found that the fatal shot pierced Rivera’s skin and traveled through both her lungs, wedging itself in her ribs, The Chicago Tribune reports.

The Daily Mail has contacted the Rivera family lawyer, Antonio Romanucci, and the police for comment.  

Iran’s Power Shift: President Pezeshkian Resigns Amid Rising IRGC Dominance

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Could Iran’s leadership be on the brink of disarray? Perhaps. According to a Sunday report from the Jerusalem Post, Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has reportedly submitted his resignation to Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader who is believed to still be alive. If accurate, this development might indicate significant instability within Iran’s civil government.

However, it’s important to remember that this information comes from an anonymous source, which means it should be taken with caution. The alleged reason behind this potential shake-up is the increasing dominance of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has apparently sidelined much of the country’s civil governance.

 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sent a letter to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s office submitting his resignation, London-based anti-regime outlet Iran International reported on Sunday.

An anonymous official told Iran International that the letter had called out the fact that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had effectively taken over large portions of the government, and that the president and other high-ranking officials had been cut out of vital decision-making.

Pezeshkian, the letter emphasized, was unable to run the government or fulfill his responsibilities under the circumstances, and as such, requested to resign.

Note that this is information from an anonymous source, so don’t bet the farm on it. But note the reason given: That the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has taken over to the point where much of the country’s civil government is no longer in the loop.




Man on Pre-Trial Release Arrested for Sharing Explicit Image of Ex-Girlfriend with Her Employer

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a disturbing case that underscores the dangers of digital harassment, 43-year-old Jacob Aaron Porter was taken into custody yesterday after he allegedly sent an explicit photograph of a former girlfriend to her supervisor.

The victim, who was unaware that Porter had any such images, informed an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy about the incident. The troubling photograph, taken while she was asleep, was sent to her manager. It appears Porter had obtained the manager’s contact details during their relationship, enabling him to send the illicit message.

Accompanying the inappropriate photo was a crude message that read, “wish your a happy birthday for me.” The message was dispatched from a number identified in law enforcement records as belonging to Porter.

Upon investigation, deputies concluded that Porter’s actions were deliberate attempts to inflict significant emotional distress and damage the victim’s professional and personal reputation.

Porter was located at his residence and taken into custody. Post Miranda, he reportedly declined to answer any questions.

Porter has been charged with sexual cyberharassment and digital voyeurism. He has nine felony convictions (three violent) and 12 misdemeanor convictions (one violent), and he has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2015. He was arrested in March 2026 for driving under the influence and refusing to submit to DUI testing and was released on $5,000 bail. Judge George Wright set bail at $100,000 on the new charges.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law


Newark Mayor Enforces Curfew Near Delaney Hall Amid Tensions at Immigration Detention Center

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In Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka has implemented a curfew around Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center, following a series of escalating confrontations between protestors and law enforcement. The curfew is set from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will remain in effect until further notice, as announced by Mayor Baraka in a recent statement.

This decision comes on the heels of another tense night marked by dramatic standoffs. Demonstrators clashed with police, attempting to overturn barricades while officers, equipped with riot shields, pushed back. Social media footage captured the intense scenes, showing police on horseback advancing into the throngs of protestors in efforts to disperse the crowd.

The unrest at Delaney Hall has been gaining national attention since earlier this month. The protests erupted after reports from advocates about detainees initiating a hunger strike in response to alleged poor living conditions at the facility, which houses up to 1,000 individuals. This protest is part of a broader wave of dissent against the federal government’s stringent immigration policies.

In a strategic shift, New Jersey state police took over duties from federal immigration enforcement agents at the detention center last Friday, following several days of confrontations. This move highlights the ongoing tension and the state’s response to the volatile situation.

New Jersey state police on Friday relieved federal immigration enforcement agents who had been facing off against protestors at the facility for days.

In a statement Sunday morning, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said masked individuals attacked a barrier in a designated protest area set up by state police and were “throwing projectiles, utilizing the barriers as weapons, and lighting tires on fire in the street.”

“These actions put both peaceful protestors and law enforcement in danger,” Sherrill said, urging calm to focus on advocating for “better conditions for the detainees, for their families, and ultimately, for the closure of Delaney Hall.”

Sherrill also said that the federal government has reopened family visits at Delaney Hall starting Sunday.

Asked about visitations resuming, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security provided a statement that said “To be clear: Visitation was only suspended because of violent riots. Now that we have a secure perimeter, visitation can resume.”

Unveiling Janice Dickinson: Rare Glimpse of the Supermodel’s Natural Beauty Before Cosmetic Enhancements

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Janice Dickinson has once again transformed her appearance through cosmetic surgery, captivating fans with her refreshed visage and sparking nostalgia for her pre-surgery natural features.

The 71-year-old iconic supermodel recently opted for a comprehensive “major facial rejuvenation” performed by the renowned Beverly Hills surgeon, Dr. Harrison Lee. Dr. Lee unveiled the transformative results on Instagram, sharing before and after images three months post-surgery.

“She underwent an Endoscopic Brow and Midface Lift, Deep Plane Face Lift, Dual Plane Neck Lift, Subnasal Lip Lift, Extensive Fat Transfer, and Full Face CO2 Laser Resurfacing!” Dr. Lee explained, adding that Dickinson is thrilled with the outcome.

He further detailed, “The post-op photos capture her bare-faced, gradually transitioning to a fully glam look. Absolutely no filters or photo editing were applied.”

Expressing her delight, Dickinson commented on the post, “I f-cking love it.”

Her latest facelift had fans remembering her past modeling days, before she had multiple plastic surgery procedures.

The reactions to the post were largely positive, with one comment reading, “Janice looks better than ever 👍 This is incredible work, dr.”

Another fan gushed, “@janicedickinson looks 40 years younger and exactly like she did in her late 30’s. Wow! Hello@Janice! Nice to see you. 🥰.”

Dickinson hasn’t been shy about talking about her past plastic surgery. She first went under the knife when she was 32 years and was dating Sylvester Stallone at the time, she revealed during her June 2024 appearance on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “Off the Vine” podcast.

The supermodel said she got a “mini facelift” because she noticed she “started getting jowls.”

She also shared on the podcast she didn’t regret any of her past cosmetic work, which included facelifts, a tummy tuck, collagen implants and Botox.

Back in 2014, she appeared on E!’s “Botched,” when she got her 30-year-old breast implants replaced.

The former “America’s Next Top Model” judge’s new facelift comes after she suffered major facial injuries in 2022 while filming “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!” in the middle of the South African jungle.

She later filed a lawsuit in the United Kingdom against ITV Studios in September 2025, claiming she suffered permanent facial deformities and nerve damage that affected her speech, eating and drinking.

Dickinson allegedly suffered “permanent traumatic scarring across multiple areas of her face, including the lips and mouth area, both cheeks, the chin and lower face,” per the lawsuit.

She is suing the British broadcaster for allegedly failing in its duty of care and is seeking £700,000 (a little less than a million US dollars) in compensation.

Doctors Sound Alarm on Dangerous ‘Benadryl Challenge’ Resurgence Impacting Children’s Health

Health experts at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego are raising concerns about a resurfacing viral challenge called the “Benadryl Challenge,” which has resulted in emergency room visits for at least five children in the last week.

The Partnership to End Addiction reports that this dangerous challenge has gained traction on social media, urging adolescents to consume excessive doses of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl.

Participants are prompted to ingest up to 12 tablets at once with the aim of experiencing hallucinations. However, the recommended dosage for children aged 6 to 12 is a maximum of six tablets per day, and up to 12 tablets for those older than 12.

In 2020, the FDA warned about the severe risks associated with this trend, highlighting that exceeding the advised dosage of this over-the-counter medication could be fatal.

Tragically, the “Benadryl Challenge” has been linked to the death of a 15-year-old girl from Oklahoma in August 2020, as well as the passing of a 13-year-old boy from Ohio, according to his parents.

Scott Schaeffer, director of the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information, explained that “the dose that can cause a hallucination is very close to the dose that can cause something potentially life-threatening.”

“When you’re taking it in large quantities, it can have an effect on various systems of the body. It can cause agitation, hallucinations, a very fast heart rate that could lead to cardiac arrest. Seizures, we see often with the Benadryl ingestion as well,” said Shahfar Khan, M.D., a board certified pediatrician at Rady Children’s Hospital.

According to Rady’s, none of the children that sought emergency care had to be admitted to the San Diego hospital, but it was still very serious for some.

Khan said they’ve seen cases among “a lot of 16 to 18 year olds” and among young adults between 20 and 22 years old.

Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Fort Worth Children’s Hospital in Texas reported in April that more than 100 patients visited its emergency department over the last six months due to Benadryl overdoses, and one of those patients reportedly died.

Signs of a possible Benadryl overdose include drowsiness, agitation, and looking flushed. Experts recommended seeking emergency care or calling a poison control center if you believe your child has taken too much medication, cannot be awoken, had or is possibly having a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or has collapsed.

Benadryl maker Johnson & Johnson has issued a warning about the challenge and is working with social media platforms to remove harmful content. In 2020, TikTok disabled hashtags related to the challenge.

Lawsuit Claims Student Choked on Rubber Glove While Staff Member Was Distracted on Phone

Inset: A photo showing Texas high school student Sebastian Romo, who died after swallowing a rubber glove (GoFundMe). Background: The Texas high school that was blamed by Sebastian Romo’s parents for his death (Google Maps).

The tragic case of a Texas high school student with severe autism, who fatally choked on a rubber glove, has come to a sorrowful resolution. A lawsuit claims that a special education staff member at the school was absorbed in her cellphone when the incident occurred, allowing the student to ingest the glove.

In February 2025, the Spring Branch Independent School District reached a settlement with the family of Sebastian Romo, a student at Stratford High School. The lawsuit, which identified Sebastian through court documents and a GoFundMe page, pointed to both the district and the involved staff member as defendants. The settlement was finalized on May 19.

Sebastian’s untimely death in February 2023 followed several days in a coma, resulting from the choking episode. According to the lawsuit, Sebastian had a history of swallowing non-food items, such as tissue paper and a binder clip. The latter incident had already led to hospitalization and intubation.

Diagnosed with severe autism and a condition known as Williams-Beuren Deletion Syndrome, Sebastian required vigilant supervision due to his limited self-care abilities. His parents detailed this need for constant oversight in their legal complaint, emphasizing the risks involved in his everyday environment at home, in public, and particularly at school.

The lawsuit also revealed claims that Sebastian was often left “isolated” and “unsupervised” for large parts of his mornings. His parents described a “makeshift caged area” within his classroom, where he was allegedly kept, underscoring the neglect he faced in a place meant for his safety and learning.

“Despite it being available, he was not provided his chewy toy by staff,” the complaint said. “The classroom and surrounding areas contained readily accessible rubber gloves and other potentially ingestible items.”

On the day he choked, Sebastian allegedly “obtained a rubber glove or piece of a rubber glove and placed it in his mouth” after his lunch period. He then entered the school’s gymnasium and began choking, the complaint said.

“Surveillance footage shows him in visible distress for an extended period,” according to the complaint. “He stumbled, fell, crawled on his knees, hit his head, and repeatedly brought his hands to his mouth. Despite these visible signs of distress, no staff member intervened; rather, SBISD staff appear to be huddled together, chatting.”

The staffer named in the lawsuit, a speech-language pathology assistant employed by Soliant Health and assigned to Stratford High School, was present and “preoccupied with her cellphone,” per the complaint.

“Like the SBISD employees, she neglected her duties,” the complaint said. “[Sebastian] would eventually trip and fall over another student sitting on the floor adjacent to [the staffer]. Only upon [Sebastian] falling, did [the staffer] then look up from her cellphone.”

By this point, Sebastian had “ceased breathing, he had turned blue, and he was in a state of unconsciousness,” according to the complaint. Nobody attempted CPR or other lifesaving measures, nor did anyone attempt to “remove what should have been a known foreign object” including the Heimlich maneuver, per the complaint.

“It was later determined that [Sebastian’s] airway had been obstructed by a piece of purple medical glove consistent with those used and accessible within the Life Skills classroom and surrounding areas,” the complaint said. “[Sebastian] suffered catastrophic oxygen deprivation and died a few days later.”

Sebastian’s parents alleged that “this tragedy occurred despite years of warnings, repeated prior incidents, known risks, and readily available preventative measures.” Stratford High School staff allegedly “failed to have a formal policy and procedure on the disposal of the soiled rubber gloves” used in assisting Sebastian, as well as his classmates.

“The School District should have responded with a number of accommodations to make the environment safer for [Sebastian] and his peers,” the complaint concluded. “Instead, the School District apparently had a custom and practice of leaving this important safety concern to individuals. As should be obvious, this was a mortal and reckless oversight by SBISD.”

The district provided a statement to the Houston Chronicle on the settlement and lawsuit, saying, “The district denies wrongdoing in this tragic incident, and the court dismissed most of the family’s claims against SBISD. We do not have further comment out of respect for the privacy of the family.”

Terms of the settlement were not publicly released.

Democratic Candidate Graham Platner Allegedly Avoids Voters Amid Sexting Scandal

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Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner has stepped back into the public eye for the first time since revelations surfaced about his involvement in sending explicit messages to multiple women amid an IVF journey with his wife.

Platner, at 40 years old, stood before a supportive crowd during a campaign event on Sunday afternoon. The audience’s enthusiastic cheers highlighted the Democrat’s aspirations to challenge Susan Collins’ hold on the Republican seat in Maine’s Senate race.

The husband and veteran was dressed in a casual polo and jeans, accessorizing with a trucker hat as he stood around people dressed similarly. He shared the video to X with the caption that he was taking his campaign ‘to the front porches of Maine.’ 

The spotlight on Platner follows recent reports that he had exchanged sexually explicit texts with at least six women. This occurred last year while he and his wife, Amy Gertner, were in the process of conceiving a child through IVF.

Amy Gertner, his wife, had previously informed his campaign about discovering her husband’s text conversations with other women. This information was relayed to Genevieve McDonald, who served as Platner’s political director until October.

She disclosed the information to Genevieve McDonald, who was Platner’s political director until October.

The New York Times was the first to report on the sexts and when approached by the outlet, the Platner campaign admitted he had been communicating with up to six women, rather than an alleged dozen. His campaign said he had stopped before launching his Senate bid.

Gertner considered McDonald a friend and told her the information right before Platner was supposed to join a rally with Bernie Sanders over Labor Day weekend as she feared it might become a liability, The Wall Street Journal said.

Democratic Senate candidate, Graham Platner, has made his first public appearance since it was revealed he was sexting at least six women

Democratic Senate candidate, Graham Platner, has made his first public appearance since it was revealed he was sexting at least six women

Platner, 40, appeared at a campaign event on Sunday afternoon where a room full of people hooted and hollered

Platner, 40, appeared at a campaign event on Sunday afternoon where a room full of people hooted and hollered

Sanders doubled down on his endorsement of Platner on Saturday, comparing the Maine oyster farmer to New York City Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

‘In Maine, one of our most rural states, we can do the same thing and elect Troy Jackson as Governor and Graham Platner as Senator,’ he wrote on X. 

Platner’s wife has also come out swinging after the information was revealed on Saturday. 

Later that evening, Gertner, who has been married to Platner since 2023, called those reports ‘really shameful’ – despite disclosing the information herself. 

‘I wanted to make a statement today about a couple of news articles that are out there about my marriage to Graham,’ the 41-year-old said in a video that the politician shared to his campaign page on X.

‘So it makes me really angry, disappointed, and I find it really shameful that there’s a group of media outlets and people who are willing to spread gossip, instead of talking about real issues that Graham is running on, like healthcare and education and childcare,’ Gertner continued.

She went on to insist that she and her husband have a ‘great marriage’ and that they have been struggling with infertility.

‘Graham and I have a great marriage. Being married is hard. Being newly married is hard. Being newly married and going through infertility is hard.

‘Being newly married, going through infertility, and a Senate campaign is hard. I don’t even know if I have the right words to describe what we’ve been going through,’ she added.

Platner made the appearance a day after his sexting scandal became public

Platner made the appearance a day after his sexting scandal became public 

The rowdy crowd showed lots of support for the Democrat as they clapped and cheered when he entered the room

The rowdy crowd showed lots of support for the Democrat as they clapped and cheered when he entered the room

Campaign aides had decided the messages were a private matter and the 2025 rally went on as schedule, a campaign official told WSJ.

The couple handled the issue in marriage counseling, and the texts have never publicly been revealed.

Platner insisted he stopped texting other women before his political campaign started. 

News about the texts came as the couple navigated IVF. They they were struggling to conceive, Gertner told the Bangor Daily News in January. 

They did the reproductive treatment in Norway, as the cost of doing it in the US far exceeded their financial capacity, she said. 

Platner, who is a veteran, was unable to get any help from the VA.

‘He has A+ sperm,’ his wife told the outlet. ‘So the VA is not giving us any money.’ 

The couple’s journey to conceive has become an essential part of the Democrat’s campaign. 

Gertner has since come out swinging for her husband since the scandal was revealed. She has insisted their marriage is strong

Gertner has since come out swinging for her husband since the scandal was revealed. She has insisted their marriage is strong 

Bernie Sanders has also doubled down on his endorsement on Saturday

Bernie Sanders has also doubled down on his endorsement on Saturday 

The couple met in 2021 when they were in other relationships, but later reconnected on Bumble, a dating app. They dated for six months before getting married in 2023, and they started trying for a child soon after. 

The explicit texts are not the first scandal the wannabe father has found himself in since launching his Senate campaign. 

He had to delete an old Reddit account, which included comments downplaying sexual assault and vulgar remarks about sex workers, WSJ reported. 

He also reportedly made comments suggesting he had lenient views about infidelity. 

In one post, he reportedly wrote about ‘getting wasted and bragging about all the chicks he was slaying who weren’t his wife’ at a local bar, WSJ reported. 

‘I’ve got a pretty flexible moral compass when it comes to those things,’ he reportedly said. 

He also admitted to having a Nazi tattoo, which he has since covered up.

Platner has claimed he got the tattoo during a night of drinking in Croatia and was unaware of its Nazi association. He has since covered the tattoo with a different design.

'Graham and I have a great marriage. Being married is hard. Being newly married is hard. Being newly married and going through infertility is hard,' his wife said

‘Graham and I have a great marriage. Being married is hard. Being newly married is hard. Being newly married and going through infertility is hard,’ his wife said 

He also admitted to having a Nazi tattoo, which he has since covered up. The initial ink resembled a specific symbol of Hitler’s paramilitary SS during World War II

He also admitted to having a Nazi tattoo, which he has since covered up. The initial ink resembled a specific symbol of Hitler’s paramilitary SS during World War II

The initial ink resembled a specific symbol of Hitler’s paramilitary SS during World War II.

The progressive candidate’s campaign initially said he would remove the ink, but Platner said he chose to cover it up because of the limited options where he lives in rural Maine.

Platner, at 51 percent, holds a nine percentage point lead over the incumbent Collins, according to a University of New Hampshire poll released on Wednesday.