Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 110

June 4, 2025

The top tie-dye kits for vibrant color fun

Which tie-dye kits are best?

Tie-dye is a creative way to add a splash of color to your wardrobe or hearken back to the flower power fashion of the 1960s. Tie-dye kits come with everything you need to create this vibrant look at home, but when faced with so many similar products, which kit should you choose?

Before making your purchase, there are several factors to consider, but for a simple starter kit with easy-to-follow instructions, the Tulip One-Step 12-Color Tie Dye Kit is the top choice.

What to know before you buy a tie-dye itWhat clothes can I tie-dye?

Almost any article of clothing can be tie-dyed, from shirts and handkerchiefs to hats and even pillowcases. Fabrics like cotton and linen are commonly used with a tie-dye kit because they absorb most, but nearly any natural fiber can be dyed.

How to tie-dye clothes

Always follow the instructions included in your tie-dye kit, as exact application steps can vary.

Clean your work area: The dye found in tie-dye kits can easily stain tabletops and furniture, so take the kit outside or prepare your area by laying down newspaper or plastic bags. Gloves are also recommended to prevent the dye from staining your hands.Presoak the garment: Most kits come with a soda ash solution used before dyeing to help set the ink. Read the instructions for exact presoak times.Twist and tie: Once your garment is presoaked, twist the fabric tightly and secure it with rubber bands. The twisting is what produces the iconic tie-dye look.Use the dye: Prepare the dye by following your kit’s instructions, and use an applicator to add color.Allow your dye to set: The exact time needed to set the dye typically depends on the quality of your kit.Rinse and enjoy: The final step is to rinse any excess dye and admire your colorful creation! For best results, air dry your finished garments.Soak in vinegar (optional): Many fans of the craft recommend soaking your new tie-dye garments in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water to lock in the color.What to look for in a quality tie-dye kitItems in a tie-dye kit

Tie-dye kits almost always have everything you need to make colorful clothing at home, but the exact accessories and tools can vary. Look for a kit that includes at least some of the following items:

Dye: While every tie-dye kit should come with at least a few dye options, some products will specialize in certain fun colors like pastel or neon. The more you’re willing to spend on a kit, the more colors you’re likely to receive.Applicators: These small bottles hold the dye and usually have a pointed tip for design precision.Ties: Often found in the form of rubber bands, small ties are used to secure the twisted fabric during the dyeing process.Instructions: Every product is different, so make sure your kit contains detailed instructions to achieve the best results. Instruction booklets can also include fun design ideas and patterns.Soda ash solution: Also known as fixer, a soda ash solution is used to soak the fabric before the dyeing process begins. Many modern kits don’t require this solution, so don’t worry if your kit doesn’t have it.How much you can expect to spend on a tie-dye kit

Tie-dye kits are usually affordable, but prices can vary slightly depending on accessories and how many dyes are included. Most people can expect to spend around $10-$30 for a solid kit with multiple colors of dye.

Tie-dye kit FAQHow do I wash tie-dye clothing?

A. The first time you wash your tie-dye garment, run it through a cold cycle with no other items and hang it to dry. After that, you can wash the garment with your regular loads of laundry.

Can kids use a tie-dye kit?

A. Yes. Tie-dyeing clothes can be a fun activity for any kid over the age of eight. To avoid a mess, wear gloves and spread newspaper or a plastic tarp onto your work surface.

What’s the best tie-dye kit to buy?Top tie-dye kit

Tulip One-Step 12-Color Tie Dye Kit

What you need to know: This popular kit comes with twelve dyes and easy-to-use applicator bottles.

What you’ll love: Perfect for small parties and gatherings, this simple tie-dye kit requires only water to activate. No soda ash presoak is needed. The instruction booklet also comes with eight design ideas.

What you should consider: The applicator bottles are a little small, and colors fade more quickly than advertised.

Top tie-dye kit for the money

DOODLE HOG Pastel Tie Dye Kit

What you need to know: Pastel dyes can be tricky to find, so if you like pastels, this affordable kit is just what you need.

What you’ll love: Including fun pastel colors like pink, orange and teal, this affordable kit comes with everything you need. It includes six colors, two refill bags for each color, three soda ash bags, gloves, rubber bands and an instruction book.

What you should consider: The pastel dye may produce darker colors than what some users expected.

Tie-dye kit worth checking out

Kool Krafts Tie Dye Kit

What you need to know: This versatile starter kit comes with a lot of dye and four cotton shirts.

What you’ll love: This easy tie-dye kit is huge, featuring twelve nontoxic dyes, including uncommon colors like black and light blue. There are tons of bonus accessories like two disposable tablecloths and a dozen gloves, and the instruction manual is loaded with tips and tricks.

What you should consider: Some users felt that the included T-shirts were of poor quality.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

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Published on June 04, 2025 17:54

Keep your pets hydrated with the best pet fountain

Which pet fountain is best?

Pets can be pretty picky, especially with their food and water. And why shouldn’t they be? While many use a bowl for their animals, they can leave water standing and present added bacteria and debris risks. Alternatively, pet fountains can help keep your pet’s water filtered and flowing for a significant reduction in debris while simultaneously encouraging pets to drink more water.

The PetSafe Drinkwell Seascape Ceramic Pet Water Fountain is an excellent choice that most animals love, offering a replaceable filter and a simple design.

What to know before you buy a pet fountainYour pet

Your pet is the most crucial consideration when choosing a pet fountain. If you have a cat, dog or something else, you can find a wide range of fountains offering clean, flowing drinking water for your pet.

Most importantly, your pet’s size will determine which fountain sizes are suitable. However, pets may also have particular preferences that can influence your choice. For example, many cats love faucet-style flowing water, which may encourage them to drink more water — an essential benefit, as cats are known for not drinking enough water.

Pet fountain types

Most pet fountains operate upon the same basic principles. Still, you can find them varying in style from one model to another. Standard pet fountains can usually be classified as faucet-style fountains, bowl-style, or multilevel fountains.

Faucet-style: Faucet-style pet fountains include a spout, not unlike what you find with a human faucet. These are commonly loved by cats, though most mammals can benefit from this fountain style.Bowl-style: Bowl-style fountains feature a simplified bowl shape with a pump mechanism keeping the water flowing. These are the most common fountain types, and they’re especially approachable for animals who are new to fountain-style drinking.Multilevel: Multilevel pet fountains offer multiple levels of cascading water, which some pets find engaging.

Pet fountain types and styles may also include crossover between styles. The best type of fountain depends heavily on the preferences of the individual pet.

Replacement filters

Since nearly every pet fountain includes a filter, it’s also important to remember you’ll need to replace this filter every so often. You may also consider buying a fountain with easy-to-find filters. You can also buy a fountain with replacement filters to hold you over for months and sometimes even years.

What to look for in a quality pet fountainFiltered

Most importantly, a good pet fountain should have a water filter. Water filters in pet fountains keep the water clean for your pet. Additionally, choosing a fountain with an easy-to-replace filter will save you the hassle down the road.

Flowing water

Along with keeping the water clean through the use of a filter, pet fountains also keep water flowing to avoid bacteria, dust and debris buildups.

In addition, flowing water can help encourage animals to drink more water by making the experience a little more engaging. This can be particularly useful for sensitive cats, dogs and other small mammals.

Capacity

One of the main differences among pet fountains is their water capacity. Pet fountain capacities can range from 50-450 ounces. Fountains with larger reservoirs don’t need to be replaced as often, while those with smaller water capacities may be most suited for smaller animals.

How much you can expect to spend on a pet fountain

For cheap pet fountains, you can expect to pay at least $20. However, most buyers can find a high-quality fountain that works for their pets for $35-$75.

Pet fountain FAQAre pet fountains safe?

A. Pet fountains are not only safe, they actually make your pet’s drinking water cleaner than a bowl, making the water safer for your pet to consume. However, it might be worth choosing one that doesn’t present any potential safety issues for your pet such as being knocked over, especially if you have a large animal.

Do they make battery-operated pet fountains?

A. Yes. You can find an array of battery-operated pet fountains from online retailers, though they aren’t as common as wall outlet-powered fountains.

What’s the best pet fountain to buy?Top pet fountain

PetSafe Drinkwell Seascape Ceramic Pet Water Fountain for Cats and Small Dogs

What you need to know: This fountain boasts a minimal, modern style and makes drinking water more appealing and hygienic for small and medium pets.

What you’ll love: Most pets love the moving water in this fountain. It’s also dishwasher-safe and includes 70 ounces of water capacity. The water pump and filter also keep water circulating and clean, making it an extra hygienic option for pets.

What you should consider: Some buyers said this unit was easily breakable due to its ceramic material.

Top pet fountain for the money

Catit Senses 2.0 Flower Cat Water-Drinking Fountain

What you need to know: This drinking fountain has a cute flower design, and it features variable flow control for adjusting water speed to your cat’s preferences.

What you’ll love: This pet fountain includes three water flow speeds and holds up to three liters of water. It includes an LED night light and a water level indicator for when it’s time to replace the water. This can also be purchased in either blue or green designs.

What you should consider: This fountain is designed specifically for cats.

Worth checking out

ORSDA Stainless Steel Pet Fountain for Cats and Small to Medium Dogs

What you need to know: This durable stainless steel pet fountain works well for residences with multiple animals, and it offers quieter operation than most.

What you’ll love: This fountain is scratch-resistant and includes a locking lid that won’t spill even when tipped. Purchase also comes with a silicone mat, six replacement filters and three cleaning brushes.

What you should consider: A few buyers said this fountain’s pump failed quickly.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Published on June 04, 2025 17:48

Retro LEGO sets are great Father’s Day gifts

A retro LEGO set is the perfect gift for a dad who pines for the 1900s

Father’s Day will be here before we know it, and if you’re still hunting down the perfect gift, we have some ideas. If you know and love a dad who enjoys a good project, you need to check out these retro LEGO sets that will bring him back to a time when he didn’t have to put a cranky toddler to bed before enjoying his own hobbies.

The sets are inspired by vintage toys and electronics, making them the perfect choice for the dad who grew up when life was more analog than digital. The LEGO Super Mario 64 Question Mark will send him back to when his life was a lot simpler and the LEGO Polaroid Camera Building Kit is just plain cool.

If your dad already loves LEGO, these building kits will be an exciting gift to receive. And if he doesn’t? Maybe it’s time for his favorite child to introduce him to a new hobby he didn’t know he needed.

These LEGO sets for adults are vintage and display-friendly

LEGO Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Building Set

This Polaroid set is beyond cool; once the camera is built, it actually works. The set includes three illustrated “photos” that can be loaded into the built camera and ejected by pushing the red shutter button. Once it’s built, it’s pretty much begging to be displayed, but it can also be taken apart and rebuilt if Dad enjoys the process.

LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System

This blast from the past will take Dad back to a time when blowing into the cartridge was as technical as it gets. This enormous set actually lets Dad build a vintage 80s-style TV and a Nintendo console with a controller and plug. The TV displays a classic scene from the iconic Super Mario Bros. game.

LEGO Ideas Typewriter Building Set for Adults

This Ideas Typewriter Building Set is a perfect build to display once it’s complete. It’s truly gorgeous and features keys that move and sound just like real typewriter keys. It has over 2,000 pieces, so maybe put a date on the calendar to spend some quality time with Dad to get this masterpiece built.

LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Retro Roller Skate Building Kit

This 3 in 1 kit lets Dad build multiple pieces of 1980s nostalgia, including a roller skate, skateboard and boom box radio. The skate and skateboard both feature movable wheels and all three toys would be perfect for display. This set is a little less complex to build than the others, so this would be ideal for the dad who doesn’t have tons of LEGO experience.

LEGO Super Mario 64 Question Mark

If you want to send Dad into a nostalgia fit of the very best kind, get him this Super Mario 64 Question Mark, a symbol from the iconic video game. Open the block to reveal four recognizable game levels: Peach’s Castle, Bob-omb Battlefield, Cool, Cool Mountain and Lethal Lava Trouble. Dad will have hours of fun reconstructing his childhood with this set.

LEGO Icons PAC-Man Arcade Building Kit

The Gen X dads will be beside themselves with this PAC-Man Arcade Building Kit. Recreate the iconic 1980s classic with this set of over 2,000 pieces. The set lets Dad build the arcade cabinet along with a four-way joystick, illuminating coin slot, adjustable game score display and a mechanical maze. It also features rotatable PAC-Man, Blinky and Clyde figures.

LEGO Icons Atari 2600 Building Set

Got a Dad who goes a little further back? This Atari set featuring three classic game cartridges (Asteroids, Adventure and Centipede), a joystick and console will have him reminiscing in no time. Recreate game scenes and build the hidden 1980s scene of a classic TV, boom box, posters, retro phone and roller skates. The cherry on top? A child playing with their own Atari console. Dad may need a minute to compose himself after receiving this set.

LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Retro Camera Toy

Here’s another retro three-in-one set that will keep Dad smiling and busy. It transforms from a camera toy to a video game or a vintage TV set. The camera toy features pushable buttons, a moving lens, film to load in the back and a real camera strap. The TV has an antenna, and the video camera has an opening flap for filming. Dad can display one of his creations or take it apart and keep rebuilding.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Published on June 04, 2025 17:41

Trump moves to block US entry for foreigners planning to study at Harvard University

By COLLIN BINKLEY, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is moving to block nearly all foreign students from entering the country to attend Harvard University, his latest attempt to choke the Ivy League school from an international pipeline that accounts for a quarter of the student body.

In an executive order signed Wednesday, Trump declared that it would jeopardize national security to allow Harvard to continue hosting foreign students on its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“I have determined that the entry of the class of foreign nationals described above is detrimental to the interests of the United States because, in my judgment, Harvard’s conduct has rendered it an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers,” Trump wrote in the order.

It’s a further escalation in the White House’s fight with the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university. A federal court in Boston blocked the Department of Homeland Security from barring international students at Harvard last week. Trump’s order invokes a different legal authority.

Trump invoked a broad federal law that gives the president authority to block foreigners whose entry would be “detrimental to the interests of the United States.” On Wednesday, he cited the same authority when announcing that citizens of 12 countries would be banned from visiting the U.S. and those from seven others would face restrictions. Trump’s Harvard order cites several other laws, too, including one barring foreigners associated with terrorist organizations.

It stems from Harvard’s refusal to submit to a series of demands made by the federal government. It has escalated recently after the Department of Homeland Security said Harvard refused to provide records related to misconduct by foreign students.

Harvard says it has complied with the request, but the government said the school’s response was insufficient.

The dispute has been building for months after the Trump administration demanded a series of policy and governance changes at Harvard, calling it a hotbed of liberalism and accusing it of tolerating anti-Jewish harassment. Harvard defied the demands, saying they encroached on the university’s autonomy and represented a threat to the freedom of all U.S. universities. Harvard President Alan Garber also disputed the government’s allegations, saying in a letter last month that the school is nonpartisan and has taken steps to root out antisemitism on campus.

Trump officials have repeatedly raised the stakes and sought new fronts to pressure Harvard, cutting more than $2.6 billion in research grants and moving to end all federal contracts with the university. The latest threat has targeted Harvard’s roughly 7,000 international students, who account for half the enrollment at some Harvard graduate schools.

“Admission to the United States to study at an ‘elite’ American university is a privilege, not a right,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X. “This Department of Justice will vigorously defend the President’s proclamation suspending the entry of new foreign students at Harvard University based on national security concerns.”

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called the measure ridiculous and said it has nothing to do with national security.

“It’s a thinly veiled revenge ploy in Trump’s personal feud with Harvard, and continued authoritarian overreach against free speech,” Jayapal said on the social media site X.

The order applies to all students attempting to enter the United States to attend Harvard after the date of the executive order. It provides a loophole to allow students whose entry would “benefit the national interest,” as determined by federal officials.

Trump’s order alleges that Harvard provided data on misconduct by only three students in response to the Homeland Security request, and it lacked the detail to gauge if federal action was needed. Trump concluded that Harvard is either “not fully reporting its disciplinary records for foreign students or is not seriously policing its foreign students.”

“These actions and failures directly undermine the Federal Government’s ability to ensure that foreign nationals admitted on student or exchange visitor visas remain in compliance with Federal law,” the order said.

For foreign students already at Harvard, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will determine if visas should be revoked, Trump wrote.

The order is scheduled to last six months. Within 90 days, the administration will determine if it should be renewed, the order said.

A State Department cable sent last week to U.S. embassies and consulates said federal officials will begin reviewing the social media accounts of visa applicants who plan to attend, work at or visit Harvard University for any signs of antisemitism.

In a court filing last week, Harvard officials said the Trump administration’s efforts to stop Harvard from enrolling international students have created an environment of “profound fear, concern, and confusion.” Countless international students have asked about transferring from the university, Harvard immigration services director Maureen Martin said in the filing.

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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Published on June 04, 2025 17:32

Trump announces travel ban and restrictions on 19 countries set to go into effect Monday

By CHRIS MEGERIAN and FARNOUSH AMIRI, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday resurrected a hallmark policy of his first term, announcing that citizens of 12 countries would be banned from visiting the United States and those from seven others would face restrictions.

The ban takes effect Monday at 12:01 a.m., a cushion that avoids the chaos that unfolded at airports nationwide when a similar measure took effect with virtually no notice in 2017. Trump, who signaled plans for a new ban upon taking office in January, appears to be on firmer ground this time after the Supreme Court sided with him.

Some, but not all, 12 countries also appeared on the list of banned countries in Trump’s first term. The new ban includes Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

There will be heightened restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

In a video released on social media, Trump tied the new ban to Sunday’s terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, saying it underscored the dangers posed by some visitors who overstay visas. The suspect in the attack is from Egypt, a country that is not on Trump’s restricted list. The Department of Homeland Security says he overstayed a tourist visa.

Trump said some countries had “deficient” screening and vetting or have historically refused to take back their own citizens. His findings rely extensively on an annual Homeland Security report of visa overstays of tourists, business visitors and students who arrive by air and sea, singling out countries with high percentages of remaining after their visas expired.

“I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people,” he said in his proclamation.

Haiti, which avoided the travel ban during Trump’s first term, was included for high overstay rates and large numbers who came to the U.S. illegally. Haitians continue to flee poverty, hunger and political instability deepens while police and a U.N.-backed mission fight a surge in gang violence, with armed men controlling at least 85% of its capital, Port-au-Prince.

“Haiti lacks a central authority with sufficient availability and dissemination of law enforcement information necessary to ensure its nationals do not undermine the national security of the United States,” Trump wrote.

The list results from a Jan. 20 executive order Trump issued requiring the departments of State and Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence to compile a report on “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S. and whether entry from certain countries represented a national security risk.

During his first term, Trump issued an executive order in January 2017 banning travel to the U.S. by citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries — Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

It was one of the most chaotic and confusing moments of his young presidency. Travelers from those nations were either barred from getting on their flights to the U.S. or detained at U.S. airports after they landed. They included students and faculty as well as businesspeople, tourists and people visiting friends and family.

The order, often referred to as the “Muslim ban” or the “travel ban,” was retooled amid legal challenges, until a version was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

The ban affected various categories of travelers and immigrants from Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Syria and Libya, plus North Koreans and some Venezuelan government officials and their families.

Trump and others have defended the initial ban on national security grounds, arguing it was aimed at protecting the country and not founded on anti-Muslim bias. However, the president had called for an explicit ban on Muslims during his first campaign for the White House.

Amiri reported from the United Nations. Associated Press writers Ellen Knickmeyer and Danica Coto contributed to this report.

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Published on June 04, 2025 16:54

Congressional letter obtained by AP outlines drastic job cuts expected at Voice of America

By DAVID BAUDER and AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration appointee overseeing the Voice of America has outlined job cuts that would reduce employment at the state-run news organization from over 1,000 people to 81.

The Voice of America, which has delivered news to countries all over the world for the better part of a century, has been largely silent for two months following an executive order by President Donald Trump. He believes Voice of America, and similar organizations like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, have reported with a liberal bias.

Most of VOA’s employees have been on administrative leave since mid-March amid reports that layoff notices were forthcoming.

Kari Lake, who has been overseeing the U.S. Agency for Global Media for Trump, outlined planned employment changes in a letter Tuesday to U.S. Sen. James Risch that was obtained by The Associated Press. Lake said Trump had directed the agency “to reduce the performance of its statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.”

Some VOA employees are fighting for the organization’s survival in court, and one of them — White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara — said Wednesday that it was absurd to think the staff could be cut to the levels Lake is suggesting.

“You can’t make staff this size produce content for a global audience of 360 million weekly,” Widakuswara said. “It’s comical if it weren’t so tragic. We’re not just losing our jobs and journalism, we are abdicating our voice and influence in the world.”

In April, a federal judge ruled that the administration illegally shut down VOA. But an appellate panel later said that a lower court did not have the authority to order that employees be brought back to work, keeping the agency in limbo.

In court papers filed last week, lawyers for Widakuswara and fellow plaintiffs said the administration made a cursory attempt to indicate that VOA was operational by broadcasting five minutes of content to three provinces in Afghanistan on May 27.

The Washington-area building where Voice of America has been operating has been put up for sale, while a lease has been canceled for a new building that the news operation was to move into, the court papers said.

Lake’s letter says the administration wants to keep 33 jobs overseen by her agency that broadcasts news to Cuba, along with two positions each to provide services to China and Afghanistan and in Farsi, the official language of Iran.

Lake announced last month that the pro-Trump news outlet One America News Network had agreed to provide a feed of its newscasts to VOA and other state-run services that broadcast in other countries. It’s not clear whether any OAN feeds have been used yet.

Bauder reported from New York.

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Published on June 04, 2025 16:14

Army leaders defend parade and border spending as Congress presses for answers

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Army leaders on Wednesday defended spending as much as $45 million to add a parade to the service’s 250th birthday celebration on June 14 in Washington, saying it will help boost recruitment, as Congress members argued that the money could be better spent on troops’ barracks or other priorities.

Members of the House Armed Services Committee also said they are concerned that the Defense Department is shifting about $1 billion from a variety of accounts — including base housing — to cover the costs of shoring up the defense of the southern border.

Spending for the parade has become a flashpoint since it comes at a time when the Trump administration is slashing funding for personnel and programs across the federal government, including the Defense Department.

Military tanks and other military vehicles are transported via railroad to Washington, D.C. for an upcoming parade for the Army’s 250th anniversary, Monday, June 2, 2025, at Fort Cavazos near Killeen, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

While the Army has long planned for a festival on the National Mall to celebrate its 250th birthday, the parade was just recently added. President Donald Trump has long wanted a military parade in the city, after seeing an elaborate one in France on Bastille Day during his first presidential term, and June 14 is also his birthday.

U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., questioned whether the additional cost of the parade was appropriate since all the military services are facing 8% budget cuts, and said perhaps it could be used to improve troops’ quality of life or warfighting capabilities. He prodded Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll on what he would prioritize if Congress wrote him a blank check for $45 million.

Driscoll replied that he thinks the parade offers a chance to tell the public about the Army. “I believe very specifically that telling that story will directly lead to a recruiting boom and will fill up our pipeline for the coming years,” he said.

At the same time, he and Gen. Randy George, chief of staff of the Army, told lawmakers that the service has now met its recruiting goal for the year — with 61,000 recruits. Army officials have predicted for months that they would hit the target early after making a series of changes to recruiting programs, recruiters and policies over the past several years.

That prompted Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo., to ask why the parade was needed for recruiting if it’s already surging.

Driscoll said the Army believes the parade “will empower an entire new generation of America’s youth to catch the spirit to serve their nation.”

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wisc., defended the parade spending, saying “you cannot put a price tag on patriotism.”

House members on both sides of the aisle pressed the Army about a recent request to shift money from across the budget to support the southern border. The biggest concern, they said, is that it takes money away from base housing, which has been plagued with persistent problems, including mold, rodents and raw sewage in barracks.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., agreed the nation needs a strong border, but said lawmakers worked for the past year on a broad effort to address the housing problems. “I feel like a decision was made that undermined this whole effort that we spent the last year doing.,” he said.

Pressed on the issue by Carbajal, George acknowledged that redirecting the money has an impact on the barracks.

“If we took $1 billion out of barracks, we would be able to fix less barracks,” he agreed, but also said, ”“You have to make choices, congressman.”

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Published on June 04, 2025 16:04

Justice Department sues Texas over in-state tuition for students without legal residency

By JIM VERTUNO AND NADIA LATHAN, Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Justice Department on Wednesday sought to block a Texas law that for decades has given college students without legal residency in the U.S. access to reduced in-state tuition rates, the latest effort by the Trump administration to crack down on immigration into the country.

Texas was the first state in the nation in 2001 to pass a law allowing “Dreamers,” or young adults without legal status, to be eligible for in-state tuition if they meet certain residency criteria. And while two dozen states now have similar laws, the Trump administration filed the lawsuit in conservative Texas, where Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and state lawmakers have long sought to support his hardline goals on the border.

The lawsuit also comes just a few days after the end of the state legislative session, where a repeal bill pushed by group of Republicans was considered but ultimately did not come up for a vote.

The lawsuit now asks a federal judge to block the Texas law. It leans into recent executive orders signed by Trump designed to stop any state or local laws or regulations the administration feels discriminate against legal residents.

“Under federal law, schools cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “The Justice Department will relentlessly fight to vindicate federal law and ensure that U.S. citizens are not treated like second-class citizens anywhere in the country.”

Texas has about 57,000 undocumented students enrolled in its public universities and colleges, according to the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a nonpartisan nonprofit group of university leaders focused on immigration policy. The state has about 690,000 students overall at its public universities.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and state Attorney General Ken Paxton, did not immediately comment on the lawsuit, and staff did not immediately respond to email messages seeking comment.

The lawsuit was filed in the Wichita Falls division of the Northern District of Texas, which the state and conservative litigants have often chosen to file lawsuits challenging the federal government and issues such as healthcare and gay and transgender rights.

The Texas law was initially passed by sweeping majorities in the Texas Legislature and signed into law by then-Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, as a way to open access to higher education for students without legal residency already living in the state. Supporters then and now argue it boosts the state’s economy by creating a better educated and better prepared work force.

“Targeted attacks on Texas students who are seeking an affordable college education, led by the Trump administration, won’t help anyone, they only hurt us all,” said Luis Figueroa of Every Texan, a left-leaning public policy group.

The difference in tuition rates is substantial. For example, at the flagship University of Texas at Austin, a state resident paid about $11,000 in tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year compared to about $41,000 for students from outside of Texas. Other expenses for housing, supplies and transportation can add nearly $20,000 more, according to school estimates.

The law allows for students without legal resident status to qualify for in-state tuition if they have lived in the state for three years before graduating from high school, and for a year before enrolling in college. They must also sign an affidavit promising to apply for legal resident status as soon as possible.

But the policy soon came under fire from conservatives and critics who called it unfair to legal residents as debates over illegal immigration intensified. In the 2012 Republican presidential primary, Perry ended up apologizing after saying critics of the law “did not have a heart.”

Legislative efforts to repeal the Texas law have repeatedly failed, but have started to gain traction elsewhere. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, earlier this year signed a bill that will repeal that state’s in-state tuition law in July.

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Published on June 04, 2025 15:19

Horoscopes June 4, 2025: Keith David, keep everyone guessing

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Bar Refaeli, 40; Angelina Jolie, 50; Noah Wyle, 54; Keith David, 69.

Happy Birthday: Bold moves and offering too much information will affect your progress. It’s best to be the lone horse in whatever race you run. Keep everyone guessing; be mysterious and secretive, and you can stay ahead of any competition you meet this year. Absorb information; be the student, but keep your thoughts and plans to yourself. Play to win, and opportunities will come your way. Your numbers are 8, 12, 20, 27, 34, 36, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Refrain from discussing personal issues. Give yourself time to think things through and figure out what you want before you engage in talks. Improve your health by setting up a fitness routine that encourages mental, physical and emotional wellness. Choose charm, grace and integrity instead of dramatization. Pick your battles wisely. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A direction, position or routine change will motivate you. Don’t wait for someone else to make the first move. Do your thing, be direct and follow through to show you honor your promises. Set high standards and boundaries, and enforce your position; you’ll feel good about yourself and your achievements. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t sign up for more than you can handle physically, financially or emotionally. Bide your time, pace yourself and stick to facts and figures to avoid sending the wrong message. Put your energy into personal improvement instead of trying to change others. Indulgent behavior will hurt your reputation. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Stick to the facts. Exaggeration will lead to emotional drama that isolates you from situations and people you care about. Rethink your steps, and be receptive to the help and suggestions you receive. Donate time to help others, and it will change your perspective about life, love and what makes you happy. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Avoid double booking yourself. Consider what you can do and set a strict schedule to meet your demands. Keep busy and stay focused. Idle time will lead to emotional drama and overreacting to situations you cannot control. Anger wastes time and energy best used to help, not hinder. Choose peace over discord. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Plan your actions with care. Rushing into something with little knowledge will lead to consequences. Consider what will benefit you most and move toward your goal slowly. Forward thinking that offers alternatives every step of the way will provide the safety net you require to ease stress and reach your destination unscathed. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Embrace change and discuss long-term plans with someone you love. Expand your skills, knowledge and connections to amplify your ability to take advantage of trends. Being a frontrunner will help you set a standard for others to aspire to and allow you to take advantage of unique opportunities. Get in tip-top shape. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll change your tune once you gather the facts and address issues face-to-face. Refrain from letting anger or disappointment color how you respond. A change is apparent, but how you handle situations and those involved will determine the outcome. Use common sense, proceed with patience and understanding, and make a positive difference. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take care of personal matters. Home improvements that make your life easier or more cost-efficient will allow you to chase your dreams. Take the time you require to build relationships and memories and point yourself in a direction that offers personal and professional growth. Socializing and networking will enhance your chance to advance. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put your energy where you will get the most mileage. How you present, promote and execute what you want to achieve will determine the outcome. Listen to what others say, but verify information before passing it along or trusting its validity. Consider the cost before signing up for an adventure. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Set priorities, a budget and a goal. Use your skills to turn something you enjoy doing into a lucrative pastime. Personal goals will escalate, drawing attention and offers that allow you to flourish. Contracts, investments and emotional highs are apparent, and love and romance are in the stars. Live in the moment. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be cognizant of what others do, say and want. A little guidance and thoughtfulness will make a difference and help you gain respect and support when you need a favor. Discipline will be necessary if temptation sets in. Avoid excessive behavior. Talks regarding personal prospects will lead to a positive lifestyle change. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are generous, alluring and vocal. You are persuasive and excessive.

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.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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Published on June 04, 2025 03:00

June 3, 2025

Doval records rare blown save as SF Giants fall to Padres in 10 innings

SAN FRANCISCO — Camilo Doval is human.

Doval allowed his first two earned runs in nearly two months and blew his first save since re-entering the closer role as the Giants fell to the San Diego Padres, 3-2, in 10 innings on Tuesday night at Oracle Park.

“We feel great every time he’s in the game. He’s had quite a run,” said manager Bob Melvin. “We shut them down for eight innings, they score two in the ninth. Ball off the end of the bat is a hit, but it’s a good at-bat by Manny (Machado). It’s the walks, I think, that got him the most.”

For Doval, the outing was a rare misstep in what has been an otherwise resurgent season.

On April 7, Doval took a loss as he allowed two earned runs to the Cincinnati Reds. His ERA through six games stood at 5.06. From there, Doval went on the best run of his career.

Doval, a one-time All-Star, didn’t allow an earned run over his next 21 outings (20 2/3 innings), the longest such streak of his career. With Ryan Walker struggling to replicate last season’s dominance, Melvin anointed Doval as the team’s new closer during their three-city road trip. Doval converted his first two opportunities back in the closer role, recording a pair of four-out saves against the Marlins in Miami. His first opportunity back in San Francisco would not be so successful.

The right-hander got out two of the first three batters he faced, but a pair of back-to-back walks to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Arraez loaded the bases for the perpetually dangerous Manny Machado. With the count at 1-1, Doval tossed a slider below the zone. Machado chased and flipped it into left field.

Brandon Lockridge, who started the rally with a one-out single, easily scored from third, and Tatis beat Heliot Ramos’ all-out throw to the plate, tying the game at two apiece. Doval limited further damage, but the lead was lost. The Giants couldn’t score in the bottom of the ninth, and the ballgame went to extras.

Jake Cronenworth pushed across the go-ahead run against Spencer Bivens in the top of the 10th with a broken bat single to drive in Jackson Merrill, giving the Padres a 3-2 lead. The Giants put a runner on third with one out in the bottom of the frame but Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee hit into back-to-back groundouts to end the ballgame.

“Things like that are going to happen,” said Landen Roupp, who pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings and lowered his ERA to 3.18. “Just an unfortunate ending tonight. We want him in the ninth, and that’s going to happen. Just looking forward to seeing him get back out there and continue to throw the ball well.”

San Francisco may not have needed Doval at all tonight if the offense broke its cold spell and put more runs on the board.

Heliot Ramos gave the Giants a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning with a two-run shot to center field, a drive he admired for several seconds before flipping his bat and beginning to jog the bases. It was a much-needed swing after San Francisco was shut out on Monday night, but Ramos’ 11th home run was the extent of the offense.

The Giants have now gone 16 consecutive games without scoring more than four runs in a single game. During this stretch, they’re 14-for-105 (.133) with runners in scoring position.

“We have to be able to score more runs than that,” Melvin said. “At the time, the two-run homer after what we went through last night feels good — Roupp’s pitching well — but we have to add on more runs like that. We can’t just say leave it up to the pitching and shut them out. It’s something that’s been a problem for a while now. It’s another game where we don’t score enough runs and put a lot of pressure on the pitching again.”

Hicks hits injured list, Hjelle recalled

Prior to Tuesday night’s game, the Giants placed right-hander Jordan Hicks on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 2) with right great toe inflammation.

In a corresponding move, the Giants recalled right-handed reliever Sean Hjelle from Triple-A Sacramento.

Hicks, 28, sustained the injury during his most recent appearance against the Miami Marlins on June 1, where he walked three batters and recorded one out.

“You could see him get a little frustrated with the mound. That was more he was feeling his toe,” said manager Bob Melvin.

Hjelle, 28, posted a 2.97 ERA with 32 strikeouts over 30 1/3 innings for Sacramento.

Verlander throws second bullpen

Justin Verlander (right pectoral strain) threw his second bullpen since hitting the 15-day injured list on May 22 (retroactive to May 19).

“It was a lot better today,” Melvin said. “He felt great. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

The next step is for Verlander to throw to hitters, though Melvin said he was unsure what day Verlander would do so. Melvin didn’t have an exact pitch count but said Verlander threw “a lot.”

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Published on June 03, 2025 21:33

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