Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 101

Emotional after trade from SF Giants, Kyle Harrison now ‘stoked about the opportunity’

SAN FRANCISCO – Mike Yastrzemski knew exactly how to console an emotional Kyle Harrison after the Giants’ homegrown hurler “took it kind of tough” when dealt to the Boston Red Sox in Sunday’s trade for slugger Rafael Devers.

Yes, Yastrzemski’s roots run deep in Boston – his grandfather, Carl, threw out this season’s ceremonial first pitch for the Red Sox – but a trade is also what brought the younger Yastrzemski to the Giants in 2019.

“When you leave your first organization, you don’t know what to expect, especially when you grew up right here and this is the organization you grew up idolizing. It’s not easy to leave,” Yastrzemski said before Wednesday’s game against Cleveland. “I tried to let him know how good of an opportunity it can be for him and how much he’s going to love it.

“Those fans are incredible and they’re going to be really fun for him to pitch in front of,” Yastrzemski added. “I just told him if he ever needs anything up that way, I’ve got friends and family, and he’ll never be feeling like he’s by himself out there.”

Harrison, 23, is a San Jose native who made his big-league debut with the Giants in 2023, three years after they drafted him out of De La Salle High-Concord. He went 7-7 as a starter last season, and after starting this season at Triple-A Sacramento, he returned as a Giants’ reliever then became an injury-replacement starter. He was warming up for his fifth start when he abruptly got pulled in Los Angeles and informed of his trade.

“Just crazy. They’re like, ‘can you go talk to the manager real quick?’,” Harrison told the Boston Herald. “The first moment, I was like, ‘Man, why are they bugging me 20 minutes before?’ I’m like, maybe they got a little inside trick for where they want me to attack these guys, but no it’s the complete opposite and I was getting shipped off.”

“Next thing you know, I’m here,” added Harrison, who’s with the Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate in Worcester. “Excited to be here, and I was stoked about the opportunity.”

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday he has “no doubt” Harrison is going to be good and that’s why the Red Sox insisted that “Harrison had to be part of that deal.” As for the Giants’ pitching depth, Melvin said Carson Whisenhunt and Carson Seymour are prime candidates to come up from Triple-A, when needed.

“To get (Devers), you’ve got to give something up,” Melvin noted.

Despite a delayed cross-country flight Tuesday and bad traffic en route to Worcester, Harrison suited up to watch his new team and said he’s “hungry” to expand his “pitching arsenal” beyond a four-seam fastball.

While the Red Sox arrive Friday night at Oracle Park for a three-game series, Harrison isn’t publicly complaining about his Triple-A return: “Honestly, not really. I know it may sound weird, but it’s baseball. I’ve been in Triple-A a decent amount of time in my life now, and it’s not about where I want to be today, it’s about where I want to be five, 10 years from now and where I see myself getting better, and I think this is a place that I’m gonna get better and develop.”

Still, there is greater geography at play here. “I’m a West Coast kid so this is all new to me, East Coast,” Harrison added to the Herald.

DEVERS ‘NOT OUR HOLY SAVIOR’

While Yastrzemski categorized Devers as an impact player who’ll “significantly” enhance the Giants’ lineup, he cautioned against putting too much pressure on his arrival.

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“One of the important things about the trade, this guy is not our holy savior. Right? We’re not putting that pressure on him. We played a really, really good brand of baseball to this point and he wasn’t in the lineup. So I don’t want to ever put that on him in terms of pressure, in terms of stress, in terms of also the rest of the lineup thinking they can just rely on one guy to get the job done. It’s still a team sport.”

As a left-handed hitter with seven career “Splash Hits” into McCovey Cove, Yastrzemski carries some clout and enough understanding of Oracle Park to help Devers’ orientation. “He asked me what the best place is to hit the ball in terms of the ballpark,” Yastrzemski said. “I said, ‘For me, it’s right down the right-field line, or to left field during day games. For you, wherever you want.’ In Fenway, you have the triangle in right-center, too, so it’s not any different for him to visualize.”

Yastrzemski, by the way, predicted that Devers will rack up 12 to 16 Splash Hits over the remaining eight years of his $313.5 million contract.

HOME-FIELD GREETING

Despite losing 3-2 Tuesday night, Melvin embraced the “electric” atmosphere in which the crowd of 36,222 gave Devers a standing ovation each at-bat in a 2-for-5 debut that included an RBI double in the third and a ninth-inning single.

The Giants were denied a “perfect night” when they failed to execute a ninth-inning comeback but Melvin commended how “the fans made (Devers) feel comfortable and that goes a long way.”

NOTES

While Wednesday night’s battery of Justin Verlander and Patrick Bailey came off the injured list, the Giants optioned pitcher Tristan Beck and catcher Logan Porter to Triple-A Sacramento. … Jerar Encarnacion, sidelined the season’s first two months due to a fractured hand, strained his left oblique in batting practice Monday. That resulted in Tuesday’s move to the 10-day Injured List.

Justice Department challenges Kentucky regulation allowing in-state tuition for undocumented students

By BRUCE SCHREINER

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration has asked a federal judge to strike down a Kentucky regulation that it says unlawfully gives undocumented immigrants access to in-state college tuition.

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The U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit says the regulation violates federal immigration law by enabling undocumented students to qualify for the lower tuition rate at Kentucky’s public colleges and universities, while American citizens from other states pay higher tuition to attend the same schools.

“Federal law prohibits aliens not lawfully present in the United States from getting in-state tuition benefits that are denied to out-of-state U.S. citizens. There are no exceptions,” the suit said.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in a federal court in Kentucky, follows a similar action by Trump’s administration in another red state as part of its efforts to crack down on immigration.

A federal judge blocked a Texas law that had given college students without legal residency access to reduced in-state tuition. That order only applied to Texas but was seen as an opening for conservatives to challenge similar laws in two dozen states. Such laws were intended to help “Dreamers,” or young adults without legal status, to be eligible for in-state tuition if they meet certain residency criteria.

“The Department of Justice just won on this exact issue in Texas, and we look forward to fighting in Kentucky to protect the rights of American citizens,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.

The lawsuits in both states follow recent executive orders signed by Trump designed to stop any state or local laws or regulations the administration feels discriminate against legal residents.

The Texas suit listed the State of Texas as the defendant but did not name the state’s Republican governor as a defendant. The suit in Kentucky names Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear as one of the defendants.

The Kentucky regulation in question appears to have been issued by the state’s Council on Postsecondary Education before 2010, Beshear’s office said Wednesday in a statement that attempted to separate the governor from the legal fight.

Beshear — who was first elected governor in 2019 and is now in his second and last term due to term limits — is widely seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.

Beshear spokeswoman Crystal Staley said the governor has no authority to alter the regulations of the education council, or CPE, and should not be a party to the lawsuit.

“Under Kentucky law, CPE is independent, has sole authority to determine student residency requirements for the purposes of in-state tuition and controls its own regulations,” Staley said in the statement.

Beshear in the past has denounced Trump’s anti-immigrant language as dangerous and dehumanizing and has called for a balanced approach on immigration: one that protects the nation’s borders but recognizes the role legal immigration plays in meeting business employment needs. Beshear has said he believes that “Dreamers” should be able to get full American citizenship.

A spokeswoman for CPE, another defendant in the Kentucky case, said Wednesday that its general counsel was reviewing the lawsuit and regulation but had no additional comments.

Kentucky’s Republican attorney general, Russell Coleman, said he has “serious concerns” that CPE’s policy violates federal law and said his office supports the Trump administration’s efforts.

A handful of Republican lawmakers in Kentucky tried to bring up the issue during this year’s legislative session but their bill made no headway in the GOP-supermajority legislature. The measure would have blocked immigrants in the state illegally from claiming Kentucky residency for the purpose of paying in-state tuition at a state college or university.

The Justice Department suit says the regulation is in “direct conflict” with federal law by allowing an undocumented student to qualify for reduced in-state tuition based on residence within the Bluegrass State, while denying that benefit to U.S. citizens who don’t meet Kentucky’s residency requirements.

Students from other states generally pay higher tuition rates than in-state students to attend Kentucky public colleges, the suit says. Exceptions exist when a reciprocity agreement with another state allows for reduced tuition rates for qualifying students from that other state, it said.

The regulation recognizes undocumented immigrants who graduated from Kentucky high schools as Kentucky residents in conflict with federal law, the suit says.

“It directly conflicts with federal immigration law’s prohibition on providing postsecondary education benefits — such as lower tuition rates — based on residency to aliens not lawfully present in the United States that are not available to all U.S. citizens regardless of residency,” the suit says.

Steve Kerr’s son joins his Warriors staff from G League

SAN FRANCISCO – Steve Kerr’s son is the newest member of the Warriors’ NBA coaching staff.

Nicholas Kerr is joining the NBA team’s coaching staff after spending the past two seasons as the head coach of the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League.

Santa Cruz went 20-14 in each of his two seasons in charge, making the postseason during both campaigns. Before that, Kerr was an assistant coach in Santa Cruz from 2021-23.

“Congratulations to Nicholas Kerr for being called up to rejoin the @warriors staff,” the Santa Cruz Warriors account posted on Instagram.

Lainn Wilson, Golden State’s head video coordinator for each of the past four seasons, was named Santa Cruz’s next head coach.

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Before working in Santa Cruz, Kerr was an assistant coach on his father’s staff from 2018-21. He was a video coordinator and worked in player development during his time in the NBA.

Kerr, 32, played college basketball at San Diego and Cal from 2011-16.

The new coach joins a team that went 48-34 during the regular season, and was bounced from the playoffs in the second round by the Timberwolves.

Leaders from three counties reaffirm commitment to immigrants’ rights

SALINAS — Dozens of leaders from Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties came together for a press conference Wednesday to show solidarity for the region’s immigrant communities. It was the first time leaders from the entire Monterey Bay region have united for a tri-county joint conference.

Hosted by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, the event comes after over a week of protests in Los Angeles and throughout the state and country against continued Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. As nearly one third of Monterey County residents are foreign-born, local communities are also subject to fear surrounding these raids.

“Law enforcement, leaders in education, health care, agriculture and hospitality, each of them is here today because they believe in justice, dignity and the vital role that immigrant communities play in the fabric of our society,” said Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo. “ICE operations have torn families apart and targeted immigrant workers, including farm workers. These actions are not just unjust, they are often unconstitutional, violating due process and civil rights in ways we simply cannot accept.”

Protests in L.A. kicked off earlier this month following a series of militarized ICE raids at several businesses throughout the county. President Donald Trump subsequently deployed 4,000 National Guard troops, against the wishes of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Newsom’s, as well as 700 Marines to monitor the protests.

Last week, Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly detained during a press conference hosted by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

“If it can happen to a U.S. senator, it certainly can happen to any one of us,” said Alejo. “And that’s why we’re here, to speak with one voice, to reaffirm our commitment to civil rights and to ensure that our immigrant communities know that we will not abandon them.”

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto, along with Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark and San Benito County Sheriff Eric Taylor, spoke Wednesday reaffirming that local police will not participate in Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. (Andrea Valadez - Monterey Herald)

Over 60,000 undocumented residents live in Monterey and San Benito counties, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. Many of these residents in the region work in the agriculture, hospitality and health care sectors.

“What we’re asking now is that our federal partners do the work, specifically to pass comprehensive immigration reform today,” said Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez. “That is the only path out of this cycle we’re stuck in where we point, where we blame and where we accuse.”

Natividad Hospital CEO Chad Harris spoke Wednesday and reminded the public that the local health system is committed to privacy and personal information is protected. Local hospitals also provide telehealth visits so appointments do not need to be cancelled if there is a fear of coming in person.

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez highlighted recent resolutions made by his board condemning military force against civilian communities as well as affirming the constitutional rights of legal and undocumented residents.

“These resolutions protect our values that everyone, regardless of immigration status or background, deserve to live without fear of militarized enforcement (and) without fear of violations of their rights,” said Hernandez.  A veteran, Hernandez condemned what he called “unnecessary, inflammatory and extensive” enforcement tactics in L.A.

“We are resilient, we will survive this administration, and we must keep pushing for permanent pathways to citizenship,” said Hernandez. “Today, I’m grateful that our communities are here standing up together, and I hope that our united voices can help turn this tide of tyranny.”

In Seaside, students have skipped class and workers have stayed home out of fear of being detained, said Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby.

“From the Peninsula hotels to the South County farms, immigrants are paying taxes, creating jobs and adding to our rich cultural shared living,” said Oglesby. “… our rights are tied together. If any of us is denied due process, none of us can claim to have it.”

Sheriffs from the three counties were all together, also for the first time, to jointly address the Sheriff’s Office role during immigration raids. They reaffirmed that local police do not enforce any federal immigration laws and instead remain focused on public safety.

San Benito County Sheriff Eric Taylor did clarify that his department will only cooperate in the removal of violent, dangerous criminals from communities if asked to step in. If presented with judicial warrants, not ICE warrants, the San Benito Sheriff’s office will also cooperate.

“We do not initiate or participate in immigration enforcement, that is across the board for the entire state,” said Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto. “That is the responsibility of the federal government … our focus is in preventing harm, solving crimes and strengthening community relationships.”

Many speakers pointed to a variety of resources available to their communities including mental health services, legal advice and  “know your rights” forums.

“The fear our families are living under is intense and absolutely unjust,” said Watsonville Law Center Executive Director Adriana Melgoza in Spanish. “Our immigrant neighbors are… the agricultural workers that feed this country, the small business owners that support lives in our cities, the students who dream big, the parents who sacrifice everything for their children’s futures. They are us.

“Let’s call this what it is,” said Melgoza. “This is a direct attack on our communities and justice.”

A full list of immigration resources throughout Monterey County can be found at https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/administrative-office/intergovernmental-and-legislative-affairs/know-your-rights.

Trump remakes the White House with new flagpoles

By CHRIS MEGERIAN and DARLENE SUPERVILLE

WASHINGTON (AP) — The American flag has long flown from a pole on the White House roof, but that’s always been too small for President Donald Trump, who wants everything to be bigger and more beautiful.

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On Wednesday, massive new flagpoles were erected on the North and South Lawns of the White House.

“It’s such a beautiful pole,” Trump said as workers used a crane to install the latest addition to the South Lawn. He returned to the same spot later in the day, saluting as the stars and stripes were hoisted for the first time.

The second pole, on the North Lawn, is close to Pennsylvania Avenue. The two poles are the most notable exterior modification to the White House since Trump returned to the presidency with grand ideas for remaking the building.

A newly installed flag pole stands on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)President Donald Trump salutes as a flag is raised on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before a flag pole is installed on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as a flag pole is installed on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)Show Caption1 of 4A newly installed flag pole stands on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)Expand

He’s already updated the Oval Office, adding gold accents, more portraits and a copy of the Declaration of Independence. Workers have begun paving over the grass in the Rose Garden, and there are plans to construct a new ballroom somewhere on the White House grounds. The changes bring the iconic building more in line with Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club in Florida.

The president made time to watch one of the flagpole installations despite the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, plus questions of whether the U.S. would become directly involved.

“I love construction,” said Trump, who made his mark as a New York real estate developer. “I know it better than anybody.”

He talked about how the pole went down nine feet deep for stability, and the rope would be contained inside the cylinder, unlike the one at Mar-a-Lago. When the wind blows, “you hear that rope, banging.”

“This is the real deal,” he said. “This is the best you can get. There’s nothing like this.”

Nezza’s Spanish anthem at SF Giants-Dodgers game ignites debate over LA team’s immigrant support

By LESLIE AMBRIZ, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES  — As fans removed their caps and stood for the national anthem Saturday night at Dodger Stadium, they were met with a surprising rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Latin pop and R&B singer Nezza stood in front of the crowd, closed her eyes and belted the song out — in Spanish.

Her 90-second rendition, and a behind-the-scenes video she shared on social media of team representatives discouraging it beforehand, quickly went viral and have become a flashpoint for Dodgers fans frustrated by the team’s lack of vocal support for immigrant communities impacted by the deportation raids across the U.S., including numerous neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles.

Protests over the arrests made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have captured international attention and mostly been held in areas a short drive from Dodger Stadium.

Nezza says even after the discouragement from the team’s representative, she hadn’t yet decided whether to sing in English or Spanish until she walked out onto the field and saw the stands filled with Latino families in Dodger blue.

“This is my moment to show everyone that I am with them that we have a voice and with everything that’s happening it’s not OK. I’m super proud that I did it. No regrets,” the 30-year-old singer told The Associated Press.

The team has yet to make a statement on the record regarding the arrests and raids.

Manager Dave Roberts has said he doesn’t know enough about the issue to comment, but Dodgers hitter Kiké Hernández separately spoke out on Instagram over the weekend.

“I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city,” he said in a post in English and Spanish. “I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights.”

The response to Nezza’s anthem performance

In her viral TikTok video, Nezza is shown speaking with an off-camera Dodgers employee who tells her, “We are going to do the song in English today, so I’m not sure if that wasn’t transferred or if that wasn’t relayed.” She’s received an outpouring of support since Saturday from celebrities like Jason Mraz, Kehlani, Chiquis, Ava DuVernay, The Kid Mero, Becky G and more.

“Don’t you dare turn your backs on us now. We, as a city, have embraced you and need your support more than ever. Think about who fills up your stadium,” said Becky G, addressing the Dodgers in her Instagram story.

The Spanish-language version Nezza sang, “El Pendón Estrellado,” is the official translation of the national anthem and was commissioned in 1945 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt from Peruvian-American composer Clotilde Arias.

Nezza says her manager immediately received a call from an unidentified Dodgers employee saying their clients were not welcome at the stadium again, but the baseball team said in a statement to the AP: “There were no consequences or hard feelings from the Dodgers regarding her performance. She was not asked to leave. We would be happy to have her back.”

The Dodgers’ history with Latinos and immigrants in Los Angeles

Dodger Stadium has a long history with immigrant communities in Los Angeles.

Many proudly wear Dodger blue jerseys and merchandise as an extension of their love for the city — the team still sells special “Los Dodgers” jerseys on its official website — and attend the stadium’s multiple heritage nights honoring Mexican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan and more immigrant communities, including those from outside Latin America. The Dodgers’ fan base is heavily Latino, and the team is among the select few to offer Spanish-language television broadcasts.

The franchise is also frequently praised for its history of seeking out diverse talent, including Jackie Robinson (baseball’s first Black player), Fernando Valenzuela (a Mexican icon who transcended baseball) and Chan Ho Park (the first Korean in the big leagues).

But the relationship is not without tension, with some Mexican American and Latino residents resentful of the team’s forceful eviction of Latino families in the 1950s to build Dodger Stadium in what is popularly known as Chavez Ravine.

Fans have since called for a boycott online, while others say they’d be willing to return if the team spoke out.

“We love you. You’ve been so much a big part of our lives. … We would like to understand that you love us just the same. Or are we just money to you?” asked Power 106’s Brown Bag Mornings host Letty Peniche in an Instagram video.

Los Angeles resident Alora Murray is considering a temporary boycott.

“Nobody is messing around about this,” said Murray. “Los Angeles is built upon the Dodgers. For them to not kind of be with us, I feel like us boycotting or not going to games will send that message.”

Fans cite inconsistencies about the Dodgers’ political stances

Many in the Latino community have been sharing videos of stadium security confronting fans who have political signs or messages on their clothing.

Longtime Dodger fan Emeli Avalos says she doesn’t believe the team is apolitical since they released a statement to condemn Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

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“If it’s really about staying out of politics, then why do they support that? But when people down the street from them are getting taken, kidnapped, why do they stay silent?” she said.

Avalos attended Pride Night on June 13 wearing a shirt that said “Abolish ICE” on the front and “FDT” — an acronym for an expletive directed at President Donald Trump — on the back. In a popular TikTok video, Avalos is seen speaking with Dodgers security. She says she thought she was going to be asked to leave but was instead asked to cover the back of her shirt with her jersey.

“They told me, ‘The front is fine, you just gotta cover the back,’” said Avalos, who said she will not be returning to the stadium.

Another video of a fan being confronted by security for holding a banner with “ICE” crossed out circulated online over the weekend, furthering criticism of the team.

When asked about the incidents, a Dodgers spokesperson pointed to the team’s stadium guidelines, which state the team “does not allow signs or banners of any kind.” Also prohibited is any attire the Dodgers deem — at their sole discretion — to be obscene, profane, vulgar, indecent, violent, threatening, abusive or prejudiced against any individual or group.

Nezza does not think she will return to the stadium, despite the Dodgers’ statement, but says she hopes her performance will inspire others to use their voice and speak out.

“It’s just shown me like how much power there is in the Latin community,” she said. “We gotta be the voice right now.”

ICE takes custody of Spanish-language journalist arrested at Georgia protest

By RUSS BYNUM

U.S. immigration authorities said Wednesday they have detained a Spanish-language journalist, who will face deportation proceedings following his arrest on charges of obstructing police and unlawful assembly while covering a weekend protest outside Atlanta.

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Mario Guevara was turned over by police to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody three days after he was jailed in DeKalb County, agency spokesman Lindsay Williams said in an emailed statement. His case now goes to immigration court to determine whether Guevara, a native of El Salvador, can remain in the U.S.

His attorney, Giovanni Diaz, has said that Guevara was doing his job and committed no crime when police arrested him. He also says Guevara has legal authorization to live and work in the U.S., and has a pending application for permanent residency. Diaz did not immediately return phone and email messages Wednesday.

Guevara fled El Salvador two decades ago and built a large following as an independent journalist covering immigration in the Atlanta area. He was livestreaming video on social media Saturday from a DeKalb County rally protesting President Donald Trump’s administration when local police arrested him.

“I’m a member of the media, officer,” Guevara tells a police officer right before he’s arrested. The video shows Guevara wearing a bright red shirt under a protective vest with “PRESS” printed across his chest.

Police tell Spanish-language reporter Mario Guevara to move back during a protest on ICE raids and deportation arrests on Chamblee Tucker Road in Atlanta on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

DeKalb County officials have said at least eight people were arrested during the Saturday demonstration, with police using tear gas to turn away protesters marching toward an interstate onramp. Guevara’s video shows him standing on a sidewalk with other journalists, with no sign of big crowds or confrontations around him, right before he’s arrested.

Jail records show Guevara was charged with obstructing police, unlawful assembly and improperly entering a roadway.

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned Guevara’s arrest and detention by ICE.

“His ongoing detention signals a frightening erosion of press freedom in the U.S.,” Katherine Jacobsen, the group’s U.S. program coordinator, said in a statement.

ICE’s statement did not say why Guevara was being detained or where he would be held. Williams did not immediately respond to an email message asking those questions.

Guevara fled El Salvador with his family in 2004, saying he was beaten and repeatedly harassed because of his work as a political reporter for the newspaper La Prensa Grafica. They immigrated to Georgia, where Guevara worked as a reporter for Georgia’s largest Spanish-language newspaper, Mundo Hispanico, before launching his own online news site, MGNews.

Giovanni Diaz, center, alongside Zacharias Gaeta and Katherine Guevara, speaks during a press conference about the status of Mario Guevara, a metro Atlanta-based Spanish-language reporter from MGNews, addressing his situation following his arrest while covering an immigration rally, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Smyrna, Ga. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

An immigration judge in 2012 denied Guevara’s application for asylum and ordered him and his family to leave the country. However, ICE worked with Guevara’s lawyer to close his case without deporting anyone. Diaz said it was resolved with Guevara receiving authorization to continue working in the U.S.

Diaz has said Guevara has a strong case to remain in the U.S., though the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown has left the journalist’s family worried.

“Under this administration, we don’t know what that means for us,” Guevara’s adult daughter, Katherine Guevara, said during a Tuesday news conference. “Temporary legal status may not mean anything.”

Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia.

Immigration raid at Louisiana racetrack ends with more than 80 arrests

By JACK BROOK

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested upward of 80 people unlawfully in the country during a raid at a southwest Louisiana racetrack, the agency announced Tuesday.

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ICE said it raided the Delta Downs Racetrack, Hotel and Casino in Calcasieu Parish on Monday alongside other state and federal agencies, including the FBI and the U.S. Border Patrol. The raid angered one racehorse industry group and comes at a time when the Trump administration is pursuing more arrests.

Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff and the main architect of Trump’s immigration policies, has pushed ICE to aim for at least 3,000 arrests a day, up from about 650 a day during the first five months of Trump’s second term.

ICE said authorities had “received intelligence” that businesses operating at the racetrack’s stables employed “unauthorized workers” who were then targeted in the raid.

Of the dozens of workers detained during the raid, “at least two” had prior criminal records, according to the agency.

“These enforcement operations aim to disrupt illegal employment networks that threaten the integrity of our labor systems, put American jobs at risk and create pathways for exploitation within critical sectors of our economy,” said Steven Stavinoha, U.S. Customs and Border Protection director of field operations in New Orleans, in a written statement.

But some racing industry leaders were livid.

“To come in and take that many workers away and leave the horse racing operation stranded and without workers is unacceptable,” said Peter Ecabert, general counsel for the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents 29,000 thoroughbred racehorse owners and trainers, including at Delta Downs.

“If they (ICE) were willing to come in and try and work with us, we are willing to make sure things are done in an orderly way,” Ecabert added. “But what they have done here leaves everyone in a bad situation.”

Groomers and other stable workers are essential and allow horses to receive round-the-clock skilled care, Ecabert said, noting that the work is grueling and it can be very difficult to find people willing to do the job.

David Strow, a spokesperson for the racetrack’s owner, Boyd Gaming Corporation, said that the company “complies fully” with federal labor laws and that “no Delta Downs team members were involved.”

“We will cooperate with law enforcement as requested,” he added in an emailed statement.

In the past few weeks, ICE has engaged in other large-scale raids across Louisiana. On May 27, the agency raided a federally funded flood-reduction project in New Orleans and reported arresting 15 Central American workers. And the agency said it arrested 10 Chinese nationals working at massage parlors in Baton Rouge during a June 11 raid.

Rachel Taber, an organizer with the Louisiana-based immigrant rights group Unión Migrante, criticized the raids as harmful and hypocritical.

“Our economy runs on immigrants,” Taber said. “And when we let ourselves be divided by racial hatred, our economy for everyone suffers.”

Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Horoscopes June 17, 2025: Venus Williams, focus on whatever brings the highest return

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Venus Williams, 45; Will Forte, 55; Greg Kinnear, 62; Barry Manilow, 82.

Happy Birthday: Focus on whatever brings the highest return. The point is to lower your stress level so you can enjoy life’s little pleasures. Set a path that leads to happiness and rethink who and what you’ll let influence you as you move forward. Take control and turn this year into one to remember. Find your passion and infuse what puts a smile on your face into your daily routine. Your numbers are 5, 17, 26, 29, 34, 41, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Look for the good and the positive in every situation. Having a good attitude is the best way to combat negativity. Surround yourself with feel-good people, and lend a helping hand to an organization that honors giving back and making the world a better place. Take the high road and see what happens. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Let your imagination lead the way and experience what life offers. Explore different outlets for your skills and how to turn something you enjoy doing into a profit. Promoting who you are and what you can do is up to you. Network and integrate into circles that resonate with what’s meaningful to you. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Set your sights on your goal and take control of your day. Don’t forget to reward yourself for what you achieve. You can choose to be productive and happy or hesitant and miserable. Make the most of every situation, and you’ll invite positive energy into your sphere and those eager to join you. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Mix and mingle, discover what’s trending in your community and take measures to offer time, money or expertise to something that concerns you. Interactions will promote flourishing relationships that encourage you to try something new. Listen to suggestions, but verify information before taking a leap of faith. Romance is favored. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take time to educate yourself before you get into a debate or decide to volunteer for a cause. Protect your safety against illness or injury. Be aware of your surroundings and heed warning signs. A professional move looks promising. Pick up any additional skills that will encourage you to apply for a higher position. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Refuse to let the little things people do annoy you. Build momentum and initiate the necessary changes to dazzle everyone with your astute and unique way of bringing about change. Trust your instincts and create opportunities that put you in the running for a key position. It’s your turn to shine. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Distance yourself from drama, temptation and conversations that can turn into a shouting match. Surround yourself with tranquility, and put more time and effort into researching and fixing up your space to accommodate your needs. A creative outlet will help calm your nerves and remind you of your talents. Make love, not war. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Remember what life is about and the people and things that make you happy, and head in that direction. Visiting someone who makes you forget about time or kicking back with a great book will help you adjust your lifestyle to do more to please yourself. Love, romance and personal pampering are favored. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Invest more time in personal growth, updating your skills and making your life run efficiently. Think outside the box, and you’ll discover how a couple of minor adjustments can make a world of difference regarding your accomplishments. An upgrade to your workspace will enhance your productivity and mindset. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Choose to do things in unison with someone who shares your beliefs and goals. Talks that lead to plans to cut expenses are favored. A change that promotes momentum will tempt you, but first, make sure you are acting on your behalf and not just trying to win someone else’s approval. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Raise the bar and turn your surroundings or lifestyle into something engaging. Refuse to let boredom and monotony settle in and rob you of the life you long for. Light up your life, and participate in events and activities that make you feel alive. Stop dreaming and start doing, and you’ll rediscover yourself. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Review and refresh your life; update from the inside out. Check out influences on social media and see what motivates you. Ask your partner or a friend to join you on an adventure that entails a new beginning, lifestyle or look. Expand, explore and energize your life to enhance your emotional well-being. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are questioning, creative and apprehensive. You are protective and thorough.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.
2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.
3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.
4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.
5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

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Judge rules some NIH grant cuts illegal, saying he’s never seen such discrimination in 40 years

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge ruled Monday it was illegal for the Trump administration to cancel several hundred research grants, adding that the cuts raise serious questions about racial discrimination.

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U.S. District Judge William Young in Massachusetts said the administration’s process was “arbitrary and capricious” and that it did not follow long-held government rules and standards when it abruptly canceled grants deemed to focus on gender identity or diversity, equity and inclusion.

In a hearing Monday on two cases calling for the grants to be restored, the judge pushed government lawyers to offer a formal definition of DEI, questioning how grants could be canceled for that reason when some were designed to study health disparities as Congress had directed.

Young, an appointee of Republican President Ronald Reagan, went on to address what he called “a darker aspect” to the cases, calling it “palpably clear” that what was behind the government actions was “racial discrimination and discrimination against America’s LGBTQ community.”

After 40 years on the bench, “I’ve never seen government racial discrimination like this,” Young added. He ended Monday’s hearing saying, “Have we no shame.”

During his remarks ending the hearing, the judge said he would issue his written order soon.

Young’s decision addresses only a fraction of the hundreds of NIH research projects the Trump administration has cut — those specifically addressed in two lawsuits filed separately this spring by 16 attorneys general, public health advocacy groups and some affected scientists. A full count wasn’t immediately available.

While Young said the funding must be restored, Monday’s action was an interim step. The ruling, when formally issued, is expected to be appealed. The Trump administration didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

While the original lawsuits didn’t specifically claim racial discrimination, they said the new NIH policies prohibited “research into certain politically disfavored subjects.” In a filing this month after the lawsuits were consolidated, lawyers said the NIH did not highlight genuine concerns with the hundreds of canceled research projects studies, but instead sent “boilerplate termination letters” to universities.

The topics of research ranged widely, including cardiovascular health, sexually transmitted infections, depression, Alzheimer’s and alcohol abuse in minors, among other things. Attorneys cited projects such as one tracking how medicines may work differently in people of ancestrally diverse backgrounds, and said the cuts affected more than scientists — such as potential harm to patients in a closed study of suicide treatment.

Lawyers for the federal government said in a court filing earlier this month that NIH grant terminations for DEI studies were “sufficiently reasoned,” adding later that “plaintiffs may disagree with NIH’s basis, but that does not make the basis arbitrary and capricious.” The NIH, lawyers argued, has “broad discretion” to decide on and provide grants “in alignment with its priorities” — which includes ending grants.

Monday, Justice Department lawyer Thomas Ports Jr. pointed to 13 examples of grants related to minority health that NIH either hadn’t cut or had renewed in the same time period — and said some of the cancellations were justified by the agency’s judgement that the research wasn’t scientifically valuable.

The NIH has long been the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.