CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — EbertFest has concluded its journey and is officially bidding farewell to Champaign.
According to Experience Champaign-Urbana, the film festival, which has been a staple in the community for over 25 years, contributed more than $10 million to the local economy. Beyond its financial impact, it instilled immense pride in the hometown of Roger Ebert, the trailblazing film critic who earned the distinction of being the first to receive a Pulitzer Prize in his field.
Mike Brown may need to reconsider a particular tactic he’s relied on throughout the season.
This approach, which has been a staple for him, has negatively impacted the Knicks in both matchups of the current series.
Brown typically opts to rest Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns at the beginning of the second and fourth quarters, rather than staggering their playing time to keep one active on the court. The alternative lineup featuring Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Mitchell Robinson faltered during the Knicks’ narrow 107-106 defeat to the Hawks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
“We’ve used that lineup frequently toward the end of the season,” Brown remarked. “It has performed well in the past. Tonight, however, we struggled and committed too many turnovers during that stretch. Yet, we had moments with our starters where we led by eight to ten points, and Atlanta managed to close the gap. Therefore, I wouldn’t attribute the outcome solely to that specific lineup.”
Despite entering the second quarter with a nine-point advantage, the Knicks saw the Hawks launch a 13-3 run as Brunson and Towns sat out, overtaking the lead. The Knicks’ bench, especially Shamet, struggled to make an impact, prompting Brown to substitute Jose Alvarado—who was seemingly out of the playoff rotation—into the game for Shamet. When the Knicks starters returned, they managed to reclaim a seven-point lead by halftime.
In the fourth quarter, it was Alvarado on the floor — instead of Shamet — along with McBride and Clarkson to start the quarter. They began the quarter up 12. By the time Brunson and Towns subbed back in with 7:56 left in the game, they led by nine.
Then, with the starters on the floor, came the collapse.
“We trust any one of our guys in this locker room to be in that game at any time,” Towns said of sitting at the same time as Brunson. “What I do know is the time we were off the court wasn’t when we lost.”
The draft pick is set.
The Knicks will have the No. 24 pick in this year’s draft. Six teams with identical records had their ties broken by random drawing Monday, conducted by the NBA.
The Knicks (53-29) won their tiebreaker over the Lakers.
OG Anunoby finished 10th in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Earlier this month, he expressed his belief that he should win the award. But that finish should give him a good shot at making one of the All-Defensive teams, another honor for which he has vouched for himself.
CHICAGO — The Onion, renowned for its satirical take on current events, has unveiled intentions to step into the shoes of Infowars, the controversial platform led by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. This move comes as Jones’ company faces the brink of liquidation, plagued by over $1 billion in defamation penalties owed to families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims.
In a filing submitted on Monday to a Texas state judge, The Onion seeks an exclusive, temporary license to utilize Infowars’ intellectual property. If approved, this would grant the satirical outlet the ability to feature its unique content across Infowars’ digital platforms, including its website and social media channels.
Ben Collins, The Onion’s chief executive, revealed that the arrangement could be operational by April 30, contingent upon the approval of Judge Maya Guerra Gamble in Austin. Collins disclosed that The Onion has already recruited talent, including Tim Heidecker—one half of the comedic duo Tim and Eric, famous for their work on Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim”—to transform Infowars into a parody site.
“We aim to expand this into a broader comedy network,” Collins stated in a phone interview on Monday. He assured that profits generated from this revamped operation would benefit the Sandy Hook families.
Collins further added, “Today, people often consume news from individuals who, without any credible expertise, broadcast conspiracy theories or dubious health advice that could be harmful. Our goal is to craft a series of characters and narratives that parody these types of phenomena.”
After the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, which killed 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut, Jones called it a hoax staged by “crisis actors” in an effort to increase gun control. Many relatives of the victims, along with an FBI agent who responded to the shooting, sued Jones and his company for defamation and infliction of emotional distress.
On his show Monday, Jones vowed to fight the licensing proposal in court but acknowledged he and his crew could be kicked out of the building at the end of the month. He said he would continue his shows in another studio he is preparing, and they would air on his personal X account and other new social media accounts and websites, as well as dozens of radio stations. He also has set up new websites for the merchandise he sells, including dietary supplements and clothing that bring in millions of dollars a year.
“I’m going to continue the exact same show,” he said. “It’ll just be called the ‘Alex Jones Show.’ So, it’s the same satellite, same system. It’s a different news site and news studio. So I’m not going anywhere.”
The licensing deal with The Onion would be for six months, with the right to renew it for another six months as a court-appointed receiver works to eventually sell the assets of Infowars’ parent company, Austin-based Free Speech Systems, and give proceeds to the Sandy Hook families. The receiver is supporting the plan, which calls for The Onion to pay $81,000 a month to cover the rent for the building housing Infowars’ studios, along with utilities and other costs.
During a trial of the defamation suit in Connecticut in 2022, victims’ relatives testified that people whom they called followers of Jones subjected them to death and rape threats, in-person harassment and abusive comments on social media over the hoax claims. Jones argued there was never any proof that linked him to the actions of others.
A jury and judge awarded the families and the FBI agent more than $1.4 billion in damages. In a similar lawsuit in Texas, the parents of a child killed at Sandy Hook were awarded nearly $50 million. Jones appealed both awards. He lost his challenges to the Connecticut judgment, while his appeal of the Texas award is still pending.
Jones filed for bankruptcy in late 2022. In those proceedings, an auction was held in November 2024 to liquidate Infowars’ assets to help pay the defamation judgments, and The Onion was named the winning bidder. But the bankruptcy judge threw out the auction results, citing problems with the process and The Onion’s bid.
The attempt to sell off Infowars’ assets later moved to the state court in Texas, where Guerra Gamble appointed a receiver to liquidate the assets of Jones’ company. Jones is also appealing that ruling, which has put a hold on the liquidation.
A lawyer for the Sandy Hook families who sued Jones in Connecticut said they support The Onion’s plan.
Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Recent studies have unveiled an unexpected brain pathway that could be quietly contributing to hypertension in millions of individuals. This breakthrough suggests a significant shift in our understanding of managing blood pressure, emphasizing the role of neural signals alongside traditional factors like diet and exercise.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the blood’s force against artery walls remains elevated over time. As Dr. Kardie Tobb, a board-certified preventive cardiologist and medical director at Cone Health HeartCare Women’s Heart Health and Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic, explains, “High blood pressure is when the pressure of blood against your artery walls is consistently too high.”
Typically, a healthy blood pressure reading falls below 120/80 mm Hg, while readings of 130/80 mm Hg or higher indicate hypertension. Recent statistics reveal that nearly 48% of U.S. adults, equating to 125.9 million people, are affected by this condition. If left unmanaged, hypertension, often dubbed the “silent killer,” significantly increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage.
Most hypertension cases are classified as essential, where no singular cause can be pinpointed, though lifestyle factors are heavily implicated. Contributing elements include obesity, high sodium intake, sedentary behavior, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and genetic predispositions.
Age is another crucial factor; the risk of developing hypertension rises after age 55, particularly among those with a family history. Alarmingly, about 80% of those affected in the U.S. fail to maintain control over their blood pressure, with 61% not receiving medication. Take Sarah, for instance, a 45-year-old office worker who gained 20 pounds during remote work. Her blood pressure surged to 145/90 mm Hg, primarily due to poor dietary habits and lack of physical activity—a scenario that medical professionals encounter frequently.
This factor often escapes notice because it hides in the brainstem. A new study in Circulation Research identified pFL neurons, which link breathing, stress responses, and vessel constriction.
These cells overactivate during interrupted breathing, like in sleep apnea, tightening arteries and boosting pressure. Silencing them in rats normalized readings, proving their direct role. Stress amplifies it; chronic worry floods the body with hormones that rev up the sympathetic nervous system, mimicking fight-or-flight nonstop.
That pathway Tobb references? It explains why apnea patients see stubborn spikes despite meds. One patient in her clinic dropped 15 points systolic after CPAP therapy targeted this neural loop.
If readings hover high despite changes, brain signals might be at play. Track sleep quality, as apnea affects 1 in 5 adults and ties to these neurons.
Stress management helps; deep breathing calms that brainstem region. Get screened for secondary causes like thyroid issues or kidney problems, which disrupt regulation. Start with home monitoring and consult a doctor for sleep studies if snoring or fatigue persists. This insight empowers targeted fixes beyond pills.
Overlooked triggers like neural overdrive demand a full checkup. Combine lifestyle tweaks with brain-focused strategies for better control.
Millions could benefit; act now to protect your heart and mind. Regular checkups catch these early, preventing the 80% uncontrolled rate.
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Following the passage of a cold front over the weekend, Monday offered a comfortably warm and dry climate. As the week progresses, temperatures are expected to rise, with rain anticipated by the weekend as the next weather system approaches.
Tuesday morning will greet residents with cooler temperatures, ranging from the upper 40s to the lower 50s. However, the sunshine will help push afternoon temperatures up to between the upper 70s and lower 80s.
The combination of low humidity and a strong afternoon breeze is likely to increase the risk of wildfires, particularly in the southern areas of the viewing region.
With relative humidity dropping below 20% and wind gusts potentially reaching up to 20 mph, it’s advisable to refrain from any burning activities, especially in areas where burn bans are in effect. Under these conditions, fires can ignite and spread with alarming speed.
As Wednesday approaches, the weather will turn warmer and slightly more humid. High temperatures are expected to remain in the upper 80s to lower 90s for the rest of the week.
The weekend will remain very warm, even as rain chances start to make their way back into the region. A few isolated showers are possible on Saturday with a higher chance possible for Sunday and Monday.
A Colorado real estate mogul stands accused of swindling millions from successful investors while also facing scrutiny for past indiscretions involving an ex-wife and inappropriate communications with a teenager, as detailed in court filings.
Sean McClay was charged by a grand jury on March 20, accused of diverting $1.4 million from a combined 23 investors between 2021 and 2022, according to documents examined by the Daily Mail.
The indictment suggests that McClay, a previously convicted fraudster, lured investors by promising to renovate homes but ultimately disappeared with their funds, leaving the projects incomplete, according to both the indictment and statements from his victims.
McClay’s history of legal troubles includes a guilty plea in 2017 for embezzling over $3,000 from a booster club for the Wisconsin football team, a fact revealed in a criminal complaint reviewed by the Daily Mail.
This incident came to light when his then-wife, Roxanne, 60, discovered Facebook messages exchanged between McClay and an 18-year-old girl.
Roxanne said that their correspondences detailed him giving the mistress, Kaitlin Zoubek, $350 in exchange for ‘sexual contact,’ court records read.
Zoubek, now 27, had posted on Facebook at the time that ‘she needed money or would go to jail,’ and according to Roxanne, McClay said he could help her if the teen agreed to ‘do him,’ the complaint detailed.
Roxanne said he then withdrew money from the club’s account to pay Zoubek’s debts, and Zoubek sent him a message that read she would ‘pay him back on the ride home,’ the complaint read.
Sean McClay was indicted on March 20 for allegedly pocketing $1.4 million of the $3.9 million he raised from 17 investors from 2021 to 2022. He is currently free on a $20,000 bond
His now ex-wife, Roxanne, previously uncovered disturbing messages between McClay and Kaitlin Zoubek in 2017 that she says entailed him giving the then 18-year-old stolen funds in exchange for ‘sexual contact,’ court records stated
Roxanne told cops that McClay ‘indicated’ that he ‘needed Zoubek (pictured), now 27, at his disposal’ in the Facebook messages
She told officers with the Park Falls Police Department that McClay then ‘indicated’ that he ‘needed Zoubek at his disposal,’ according to the court papers.
After uncovering his alleged unfaithfulness, Roxanne confronted McClay with printed out copies of the messages between him and Zoubek.
He then ‘denied engaging in sexual acts’ with the teen and called his wife ‘crazy,’ court documents stated.
Roxanne filed for divorce from him later that year, court records showed. The complaint also noted that Zoubek is the daughter of a Park Falls Police officer.
As part of his latest alleged scam, McClay is accused of spending $1.5 million on acquiring real estate and $947,000 to refurbish the properties.
He then allegedly snatched $1.4 million, or 36 percent, of the investors’ money and spent it on himself, according to the indictment.
Now his alleged victims are speaking out after they say he took their hard-earned money and ran.
Toby Ettig, an 82-year-old roofing company owner, told the Daily Mail he first thought of McClay as a ‘nice’ guy, but now he refers to him as a ‘snake’.
McClay rolled up to his home in the spring of 2025 in an ‘old beat up Chevy,’ and asked him for money.
McClay’s former investment property in Denver, Colorado
Sandi Hewins, a real estate agent in Littleton, said she also had a business relationship with McClay that quickly turned sour after investing in properties that he never saw to the end
After Ettig handed him $50,000 in hundred-dollar bills, the disgraced businessman ‘ran off like a scared rabbit,’ he told the Daily Mail.
He said he has not heard from McClay since, and does not know where his money went.
Sandi Hewins, a real estate agent in Littleton, said she also had a business relationship with McClay that quickly turned sour, Business Den reported.
She said she invested in two properties that McClay was remodeling, and after seeing returns, she put money into two more, but they were never completed, she told the outlet.
Hewins recalled the moment she realized she had allegedly been scammed after McClay told her one of her homes was almost ready, but really it was in a state of disarray.
The front steps were falling apart, and the door was full of legal notices, she told Business Den.
‘I thought right then, ‘I’m toast. I’m just toast’. That’s when I figured it out,’ Hewins added.
Like Hewins, Creighton Bildstein initially trusted McClay, he recalled to the outlet.
Bildstein, the principal at PlattPoint Capital, a commercial real estate capital advisory firm, was told to connect with McClay by a friend, he told the publication.
‘He said, ‘Oh, I’ve been investing with this guy who has produced some really strong returns doing fix-and-flips here in Denver’,’ Bildstein recalled.
Creighton Bildstein said McClay was ‘very charismatic’ and responsive when he invested $100,000 into projects with him, but after a while, McClay stopped reaching out to him with updates
Another property in Denver that was allegedly left unfinished by McClay
At first, Bildstein said McClay was ‘very charismatic’ and responsive when he invested $100,000 into projects with him, but after a while, McClay stopped reaching out to him with updates.
In the end, he said he lost his mammoth investment and has not heard a word from McClay.
‘I don’t know how all the money for these properties could have vanished in thin air,’ he continued.
Hewins admitted that she and other alleged victims could have been more proactive before deciding to do business with McClay.
‘If any of us would have had the brains just to Google his name, we would have seen previous articles about him stealing. But none of us had the brains to do that.
‘I just never thought anybody would do anything like this, and when I saw the realm of it, it was mind-boggling. We’re talking millions and millions of dollars,’ she told Business Den.
McClay also stood accused of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from IKS Industries, a custom machine and fabrication shop in Wisconsin owned by Don Balczewiski, legal documents stated.
McClay was hired as the CEO of the company, but Balczewiski soon terminated his employment after being notified that there was ‘some strange activity’ on his company account, records said.
According to Balczewiski, his former employee nabbed at least $300,000 from his account without his permission.
After pleading guilty to the misdemeanor of theft-movable property less than $2,500 for his involvement in the school club incident, prosecutors dropped the two felony counts of theft in a business setting for allegedly stealing from IKS, records showed.
He avoided prison time and moved to Colorado for a fresh start.
When contacted by the Daily Mail for comment on his recent indictment, McClay said: ‘No, thank you’ and hung up the phone
As his legal woes grow, McClay continues to live his life, posting on Facebook as recently as March 30.
He is the principal founder of Pathway2Progress, a ‘supportive housing program designed for individuals ready to rebuild their lives through stability, vocational training, and professional opportunity,’ according to the company’s website.
In a Facebook post from February 18, McClay posed in a selfie alongside two others, including Pathway2Progress co-founder Jeff Legins, writing: ‘Building takes partnership.
‘If you believe in structured pathways, workforce development, and measurable impact – let’s talk.’
McClay is free on a $20,000 bond and is not represented by an attorney, Business Den reported.
When contacted by the Daily Mail for comment on his recent indictment, McClay said: ‘No, thank you’ and hung up the phone.
The Daily Mail also contacted Roxanne and Zoubek for comment.
Denise Richards is grappling with profound grief following the unexpected passing of her former partner, Patrick Muldoon. The news of Muldoon’s sudden death at the age of 57 due to a heart attack has left those close to him, including Richards, in deep sorrow.
The bond between Richards and Muldoon dates back to when they first met as teenagers in an acting class, with Richards being just 19 and Muldoon 21. Their romantic relationship spanned nearly five years in the late 1990s, but their friendship endured well beyond their split, continuing until his untimely demise.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Richards, now 55, is finding it extremely difficult to cope with the loss. A source intimately connected with the actress revealed her emotional state, sharing, “She’s devastated. Really, really sad. I’d even call her inconsolable. She can’t stop crying.” The depth of their long-standing friendship has made the news all the more heart-wrenching for Richards.
“She’s devastated. Really, really sad,” a source close to the actress told the outlet. “I’d even call her inconsolable. She can’t stop crying.”
Richards, 55, met Muldoon when she was 19 years old and he was 21 in an acting class. They remained close friends until his death.
“Patrick is the ex that she had the best relationship with,” the source said of the exes. “There was a ton of respect on both sides.”
“It was so amicable that they were better friends than lovers and they remained in constant contact. She was his biggest supporter, he was hers.”
Page Six reached out to Richards’ rep for comment, but didn’t receive an immediate response.
Muldoon spoke about his close friendship with Richards — whom he starred in 1997’s “Starship Troopers” with — during his appearance on Tori Spelling’s “MisSPELLING” podcast in October 2025.
“We both don’t come from entertainment families, and our families got to know each other over the years and kind of checked in with each other on navigating the crazy stuff that we all go through,” he said.
He shared that despite the two not ending up together romantically after an “on and off” relationship, he was still close with Richards’ kids with Charlie Sheen — daughters Lola, 20, and Sami, 22.
“I have a good relationship with both Lola and Sami,” he said. “I’ve known them since they were first born, and so I have a good relationship with both.”
Lola paid tribute to Muldoon on Instagram Monday, revealing that she “begged” her mom to get back together with him.
“i thought you were the one that was supposed be in our lives forever,” she wrote in an emotional tribute to the “Days of Our Lives” alum.
“i will really miss hearing my mom laugh on the phone with you. your voice always brightened my day and i’m gonna miss hearing it but i know my mom will more, but we will never stop talking about you,” she also shared.
Lola thanked Muldoon for being her mom’s best friend.
“the bond you two had was something so special, that no one can touch,” she wrote. “when i think of my mom i think of you. you guys came as a package and i’m so thankful i got to know you and witness a friendship so pure and special in front of my eyes.”
The mysterious case of a man whose wife vanished years ago has taken a new turn. Robert William “Bob” McCaffrey Jr., 54, is now facing charges for a murder in New Jersey that dates back several decades. Investigators claim McCaffrey once confessed to this crime, as revealed in recent court documents.
McCaffrey was arrested last week in Manteo, North Carolina, and has since been extradited to New Jersey. He appeared in a courtroom there on Monday, where he entered a not guilty plea in connection with the 1990 murder of Lisa Marie McBride, according to details from the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office.
During the brief court appearance, McCaffrey, clad in an orange jumpsuit and restrained with shackles, maintained a mostly impassive demeanor throughout the proceedings, which lasted under five minutes, as reported by WCIV.
Judge Janine Allen detailed the charges against McCaffrey, which include murder, burglary, and kidnapping. Prosecutors contend that on or around June 23, 1990, McCaffrey intentionally caused McBride’s death, or inflicted serious bodily harm leading to her death, in Vernon Township.
Alongside the charges, a booking photo of McCaffrey, provided by the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, shows him after his recent arrest, now at the center of this decades-old cold case.
He is also accused of entering her home to commit an offense and unlawfully removing her in order to inflict bodily injury or terrorize her.
His attorney entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf.
Prosecutors moved to detain McCaffrey ahead of trial. A detention hearing is scheduled for April 27 at 9 a.m., and he will remain in custody until then. A pre-indictment conference is tentatively set for May 18, though the judge noted that date could change.
Robert William McCaffrey is escorted into court for his arraignment in Sussex County Courthouse on Monday, April 20, 2026, after being charged in connection to the 1990 murder of a woman. (Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Prosecutors described the arrest as a major breakthrough in a case that had gone unsolved for decades, crediting advances in DNA technology and years of investigative work.
According to the affidavit, McBride, 27, was last seen returning to her Highland Lakes home in Vernon Township in the early morning hours of June 23, 1990. When she failed to show up for work later that day, relatives found signs of a violent struggle, including a cut telephone line, a damaged window screen and missing bedsheets.
Her disappearance prompted an extensive search involving family, volunteers and law enforcement.
Four months later, her remains were discovered by a hunter in a wooded area of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Sandyston. An autopsy found she suffered an orbital fracture and had been subjected to external violence. Her death was ruled a homicide, according to court documents.
Robert William McCaffrey appears in court for his arraignment in Sussex County Courthouse on Monday, April 20, 2026, after being charged in connection to the murder of a woman in 1990. (Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
In 2022, authorities exhumed McBride’s body for additional DNA testing, a step New Jersey State Police said was critical to isolating an unknown male DNA profile from earlier evidence.
Lisa Marie McBride, 27, whose 1990 killing in New Jersey remained unsolved for decades before an arrest was made. (New Jersey State Police)
Evidence recovered from the scene, including material from the victim’s headboard, was reanalyzed, and the profile was entered into the national CODIS database.
In 2026, that DNA was matched to McCaffrey, according to court documents and authorities, who said he was living in Sussex County at the time of McBride’s disappearance.
The affidavit also outlines a key allegation. A witness told investigators McCaffrey admitted to killing McBride in the 1990s and allegedly said he did it because she refused to go out with him.
Robert McCaffrey stands in a New Jersey courtroom during proceedings tied to the 1990 cold case killing of Lisa Marie McBride. (Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Officials said McCaffrey lived and worked in northern New Jersey in 1990 before later moving to South Carolina and more recently North Carolina, where he was arrested.
Fox News Digital reached out to New Jersey Office of the Public Defender.
The case is drawing renewed attention because of a separate investigation involving McCaffrey’s wife, Marjorie “Gayle” McCaffrey, who disappeared in South Carolina in 2012 and has never been found.
Marjorie “Gayle” McCaffrey, who was reported missing in South Carolina in 2012. Her disappearance remains unsolved. (Charleston County Sheriff’s Office)
According to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Gayle McCaffrey was reported missing on March 18, 2012, from the couple’s home in West Ashley after what her husband described as a heated argument the night before. He told investigators he left the home and later returned to find her gone, claiming she had left on her own.
The couple’s two children, ages 4 and 10 at the time, last saw their mother the night before she disappeared, authorities said. Investigators conducted multiple searches and interviewed friends, neighbors and co-workers, but were unable to determine her whereabouts.
Detectives later determined Robert McCaffrey had lied about key details of the case, including a supposed farewell letter that was found to be fabricated. He was charged with obstruction of justice, convicted and sentenced to prison. He was released in 2023.
Gayle McCaffrey’s disappearance remains under investigation, and authorities have said it is being treated as a homicide.
Judge Michael Barko today described the shooting as “horrific” and “gut-wrenching,” emphasizing the ongoing trauma it has caused. In delivering his sentence, Judge Barko handed a 12-month jail term to the First Nations man involved, stipulating a non-parole period of nine months.
During the proceedings, defense barrister Stephen Alexander addressed the court, clarifying his client’s stance on anti-Semitism. Alexander asserted that while his client’s remarks were indeed anti-Semitic, they were not driven by a deep-seated ideological hatred.
“He did not intentionally act as an anti-Semite,” Alexander explained. “My client does not perceive himself as being racially prejudiced against the Jewish community.”
“What he did say was anti-Semitic but he didn’t go out of his way to be an anti-Semite,” Alexander said.
“He does not consider himself as being a racist towards the Jewish community.”
Judge Barko rejected this, noting McMillan had singled out Jews during his 35-minute tirade.
“Not one other faith, belief or culture was referred to,” the judge said.
The 23-year-old Dubbo man watched the sentencing by audiovisual link from Shortland prison near Cessnock, stroking his goatee while Judge Barko spoke.
The bricklayer received a discounted sentence after earlier pleading guilty to three counts of offensive behaviour in a public place and two counts of intimidation.
He will be eligible for release on November 3.
On the footbridge, the First Nations bricklayer yelled, “F— the Jews”.
“I’m a Koori I can do what I like,” he said.
McMillan then verbally threatened a 47-year-old man walking by with his family after they made eye-contact.
“Do you wanna f—ing go? I’ll f—in bash ya. This is my f—in land,” he said.
The 23-year-old rode a bicycle to Waverley Oval where he intimidated a second visibly Jewish victim walking with his son to a synagogue by yelling anti-Semitic remarks.
He rode onto Bondi Junction where he continued yelling racist slurs after falling off his bike.
He was arrested by NSW Police on February 4.
Alexander told the court today the incident was sparked by someone responding to his client yelling, “Free Palestine” on the footbridge.
“You’re stealing land and killing woman and children … just like the white man,” he allegedly said.
The barrister said his client had taken a mix of alcohol, ketamine, MDMA and magic mushrooms.
A psychologist had also provisionally diagnosed the bricklayer with a complex post traumatic background due to a deprived childhood.
Judge Barko noted McMillan was on parole at the time, breaching conditions imposed by taking illicit substances and committing further offences.
Outside court, Alexander told reporters the sentence imposed was a pretty fair outcome.
“My client’s pretty pleased with it,” he said.
“He’ll just get on with his life and hopefully will do a lot better when he comes out.”
In March, the Local Court heard McMillan wanted to apologise to the court for his conduct.
A direct apology did not occur today.
McMillan’s friend has been charged over the incident with a warrant out for his arrest.
Accused terrorist Naveed Akram and his father Sajid opened fire during Hannukah celebrations at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14.
Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, and 40 people were injured, while Sajid Akram was shot dead by police.
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Mina Starsiak Hawk, a familiar face from HGTV, is often recognized for her vibrant red hair. However, beyond her striking hair, she was also known for her charming freckles. Recently, though, it seems the “Good Bones” star has parted ways with many of those freckles, as she has invested substantially in plastic surgery over time.
Rachel Luna/Getty Images
Mina Starsiak Hawk is one of the most recognizable HGTV alums — and it’s mostly because of her distinctive red hair. However the “Good Bones” star is also known for her face full of charming freckles. Well, she used to be, because it seems that Hawk, who’s admitted to spending a fortune on plastic surgery over the years, has had most of them removed.
While freckle removal wasn’t a specific goal she mentioned, her nearly freckle-free skin in a recent video suggests the procedure was effective. Hawk, however, is unfazed by opinions on her skincare decisions. She emphasized self-care in her video caption, writing, “We all do things to make ourselves feel or look better,” and encouraged people to embrace what makes them happy, whether it’s a spray tan, hair dye, daily makeup, or any other personal enhancement.
Mina Starsiak Hawk has always been transparent about her plastic surgery choices, unlike some celebrities who prefer to keep such details private.
In 2021, she openly discussed undergoing a “mommy makeover,” which included a breast augmentation and a tummy tuck after her second child was born. Hawk shared with People her reasons for the surgery, explaining that her C-section scar was a constant reminder of no longer recognizing or feeling like herself. As someone who enjoys physical work and exercise, she felt her core strength was crucial, stating, “I just didn’t feel like I was going to be able to work out and get this back to where I felt strong, like myself, like I did before kids.”
Michael Kovac/Getty Images
Mina Starsiak Hawk has never lied about having plastic surgery, unlike some celebs.
In 2021, Hawk even admitted to getting a “mommy makeover,” which included a breast augmentation and a tummy tuck, after the birth of her second child. “My C-section scar was a very visual and physical reminder of not looking like myself and not feeling like myself anymore,” Hawk explained to People about the motivation behind her surgery. “I do a very physical job and I like working out, and your core is so attached to everything, every movement I do, like swinging a hammer.” She continued, “And I just didn’t feel like I was going to be able to work out and get this back to where I felt strong, like myself, like I did before kids.”
Hawk kept this same energy in January 2025 when she posted an Instagram video after getting a different laser procedure done. The HGTV star showed off a face full of red, irritated skin, which she felt made her look like “a monster.” Her goal was “baby fresh” skin, but this was definitely one of those moments when she had to trust the process. And though she didn’t show the full results in that post, she did remind people that’s she’s not afraid of spending a little dough to get the results she wants. “If you’re 40 and your face doesn’t look like mine, you’ll at least know it’s because I spent money to torture myself to get that fresh to death skin,” she wrote in the caption. “So be cool to each other (and to me). Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.”
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