Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 137

GOP lawmakers berate Haverford College president for not discussing discipline for antisemitism

By COLLIN BINKLEY, AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The president of Haverford College was berated by Republican lawmakers in a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism Wednesday, with some suggesting the school should lose federal funding because of her refusal to discuss student discipline in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests.

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Wendy Raymond appeared alongside two other college presidents on Capitol Hill but was singled out as the only one who would not detail punishments for students and faculty accused of anti-Jewish bias. Asked repeatedly, Raymond said her institution does not publicize the outcomes of disciplinary processes.

“I suppose it’s your First Amendment right to be evasive, but it’s also our right to decide that such institutions are not deserving of taxpayer money,” said Republican Rep. Bob Onder of Missouri.

Also appearing before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce were Jeffrey Armstrong of California Polytechnic State University and Robert Manuel of DePaul University. It was the latest in a series of hearings scrutinizing university presidents over their responses to allegations of anti-Jewish bias in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and a wave of protests that swept the nation’s campuses. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.

Unlike other hearings that featured leaders of Harvard, Columbia and other elite institutions — with stumbles that later contributed to their resignations — this one intentionally focused on lesser-known schools. Republicans sought to look beyond the Ivy League to underscore the pervasiveness of antisemitism on U.S. campuses.

The committee’s leaders aimed to choose a diverse mix of colleges. Haverford is a small liberal arts school outside Philadelphia, founded by Quakers. DePaul is a Catholic university with an urban campus in Chicago. Cal Poly is a campus of 22,000 students in San Luis Obispo.

FILE – Protesters face off with Chicago police across the street from DePaul University in Chicago, May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford, file)

For more than three hours, Republicans grilled the presidents over reports of anti-Jewish harassment on their campuses, ranging from social media posts to the physical attack of two Jewish students at DePaul. Democrats denounced the hearing, calling it political theater that does little to fight discrimination.

The trio of presidents mostly struck a deferential tone, acknowledging some missteps while highlighting work to make students feel safer. Raymond and Manuel apologized for shortcomings, while Armstrong said “we have to do better” holding people accountable for prejudice.

But while the presidents of Cal Poly and DePaul shared information on disciplinary action against antisemitism, Raymond refused.

“We do not talk about those numbers publicly,” she said when pressed on the question. She acknowledged some action had taken but declined to go further.

It drew a searing rebuke from Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., known for orchestrating fiery exchanges with former presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania that contributed to their resignations last year.

“Respectfully, president of Haverford, many people have sat in this position who are no longer in their positions as presidents of universities for their failure to answer straightforward questions,” Stefanik said.

Stefanik questioned Raymond over a professor’s social media post describing the Hamas attacks as “imprisoned people breaking free from their chains.” Raymond called it repugnant but refused to discuss individual cases.

DePaul’s president faced scrutiny over his handling of a pro-Palestinian encampment. Protesters took over a campus quad at the Chicago university for 17 days, causing $180,000 in property damage, according to the school. Police cleared the encampment and said they found knives, a pellet gun and other weapons.

“My question is, if there is another encampment, are you taking it down that next day?” asked Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill.

“Yes,” Manuel said.

Other Republicans endorsed the idea of funding cuts for schools that refuse to disclose punishments, saying Congress should explore the issue. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania said it should be a baseline for receiving funding.

Republicans began the series of hearings in late 2023 and have routinely called education leaders to Capitol Hill to testify. Those called include chiefs of Harvard, Columbia, Penn, Northwestern University and the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Trump administration has separately frozen billions of dollars in grants to colleges targeted by a federal antisemitism task force. Those targeted include Columbia, Penn and Harvard, which is suing to restore $2.2 billion in grants. The Education Department doubled down last week, saying Harvard is no longer eligible for new grants.

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.

Warriors, Wolves already complaining about officiating in their playoff series

MINNEAPOLIS — It took all of one game for the Warriors and Timberwolves to raise concerns over the officiating of their second-round playoff series.

Wolves coach Chris Finch took exception to the way the Warriors handled center Rudy Gobert under the boards in Golden State’s 99-88 victory. 

The veteran center grabbed 11 rebounds while dealing with what Finch deemed was excessive contact. The coach expressed his frustrations with the officiating at Wednesday’s media availability. 

“On defensive rebounds, they do a lot of fouling, holding, shoving, pushing and tackling Rudy,” Finch told reporters. “That’s clear. We’ll send a bunch of those clips into the league.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr fired back, noting that Steph Curry – now out with a hamstring injury – was held at least six times in the first few minutes of the game on uncalled fouls. 

“I was upset with the first 10 minutes of the game,” Kerr said. “It was just like Houston all over again.”

Kerr said that both teams will “have to adjust” to the bruising nature of the series, adding that referees have a difficult job, and that they cannot call every foul. 

“Can you call every single one of them? No,” Kerr said. “But can you set the tone early and try to clean it up? Yes.”

The Warriors had 18 fouls called on them in Game 1, while the Timberwolves were whistled for 21 infractions. 

He believed neither team was gaining an advantage when it came to fouls. 

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“I’m getting ready to send my own clips into the league …. But it has been consistent. They’re consistently allowing teams to foul,” Kerr said.  

Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski, one player singled out by Finch for grabbing Gobert, declared that the team had learned a trick or two from the handsy Rockets, who used grabbing and holding to slow down the Warriors’ scorers. 

“I mean, it’s the playoffs,” Podziemski said. “You’re trying to do anything you can to win. I mean, Rudy is probably a whole foot taller than me, so what do you want me to do?”

Game 2 will be played on Thursday at Target Center.

Healthy frugal lentils with a French accent

By Lynda Balslev | Media News Group

Don’t underestimate the humble lentil. Small but mighty, lentils are an excellent source of plant-based protein and nutrients, including iron, folate, magnesium and potassium. They are easy on the wallet, too. Black lentils are tiny and are often referred to as beluga lentils, due to their resemblance to caviar. Unlike their green, brown and red counterparts, black lentils remain firm when cooked, which makes them a great addition to salads.

This colorful black lentil salad is hearty and leafy. It’s inspired by a Salade Lyonnaise, which is a traditional French salad of frisee, lardons, croutons and a runny egg. Frilly frisee and peppery mizuna leaves weave through a nourishing bowl of black lentils, studded with quick-picked shallots and coated with a Dijon vinaigrette. While the recipe is vegetarian, you can take this inspiration further and add crispy lardons to the lentils for a non-vegetarian option. (Lardons are diced pieces of smoked pork or slab bacon. To use, pan-fry them until the fat renders and the lardons begin to crisp.)

Black Lentil Salad With Dijon and Mixed Greens

Active time: 30 minutesTotal time: 30 minutes, plus cooling time for the lentilsYield: Serves 4

1 cup black lentils, rinsed (yields about 2 1/2 cups cooked)2 thyme sprigs1 bay leafKosher salt3 small shallotsRed wine vinegar

Vinaigrette:3 tablespoons red wine vinegar1 small garlic clove, grated1 tablespoon Dijon mustard1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 to 2 narrow carrots, thinly sliced4 cups mixed greens torn in bite-size pieces, such as frisee, mizuna, arugula or little gems1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley leaves

Rinse and sift through the lentils for any small stones. Put the lentils, thyme and bay leaf in a large saucepan and cover with water by about 1 1/2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and partially cover the pot. Simmer until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape, about 25 minutes. Drain the lentils and transfer to a bowl. Lightly season with salt. Cool to room temperature.

While the lentils are cooking, halve the shallots lengthwise and thinly slice. Place in a bowl and add enough red wine vinegar to cover. Let stand for at least 20 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Whisk the vinegar, garlic, mustard, salt and black pepper in a small bowl. (You can strain the red wine vinegar from the shallots and use it for the dressing, if you like.) Add the oil in a steady stream, whisking to emulsify.

Toss the lentils with 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette. Add the carrots, greens and parsley to the lentils. Drizzle with additional dressing to your taste and gently toss to combine.

Lynda Balslev is an award-winning writer, cookbook author, and recipe developer based in northern California. Visit TasteFood at TasteFoodblog.com.

Trump designates Thursday as a day for US to celebrate victory in World War II. Here’s what it means

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation designating Thursday as a day for the United States to celebrate victory in World War II as countries in Europe already do.

Cities from London to Moscow are holding parades, flyovers and memorials this week as the world observes Thursday’s 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, when Nazi Germany surrendered to Allied forces, including the U.S.

Here’s what to know about Trump’s plans:

What is Trump doing and why?

The Republican president is designating specific days for the U.S. to celebrate being on the winning side in World War I and World War II. He complained in recent social media posts that Americans don’t spend enough time celebrating those achievements, which he said wouldn’t have been possible without the U.S.

“Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II. I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I,” he said last week on social media. “We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything — That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”

Can Trump rename an existing federal holiday?

No. Nov. 11 is already Veterans Day, a federal holiday in the U.S., and only Congress can create, rename or take it back. That could explain why Trump backed away from his “renaming” plan and said he’d instead be “declaring” national holidays instead.

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“We won two World Wars, but we never took credit for it — Everyone else does! All over the World, the Allies are celebrating the Victory we had in World War II. The only Country that doesn’t celebrate is the United States of America, and the Victory was only accomplished because of us,” he wrote Monday on social media. “Without the United States, the War would have been won by other Countries, and what a different World it would be. Therefore, I am hereby declaring a National Holiday in celebration of the Victories of World War I, where the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, and World War II, where the Victory date was May 8, 1945.”

He signed a proclamation on Wednesday that designates May 8, 2025, as a “day in celebration of Victory Day for World War II.” He’s expected to issue a similar proclamation for World War I later this year.

Is Thursday a day off from work?

No, Thursday is not a federal holiday and therefore not a day off from work. Only Congress can create federal holidays, and Trump has complained that there already are too many of them.

What does he envision will happen around the U.S. on these days?

It’s unclear. Trump didn’t say what he envisions happening, and the proclamation didn’t include any details. But he said during an unrelated appearance Wednesday in the Oval Office that he noticed France and other countries were “all getting ready for Victory Day.”

“We don’t celebrate it and I think that’s a great disservice,” Trump said.

What happens in other countries?

On major anniversaries like this year’s 80th, Britain celebrates VE Day with parades, airplane flyovers and memorials. The British royal family traditionally watches the airplanes pass overhead from a balcony at Buckingham Palace.

Russia celebrates on Friday, and its Victory Day parades are a massive show of its armed forces, with thousands of troops, scores of heavy equipment rolling across Red Square and flyovers involving dozens of warplanes. Military parades, fireworks and other festivities are held in cities across the country.

What have veterans groups said about Trump’s plans?

Rob Couture, director of public affairs for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said they are encouraged by any steps that “bring attention to the service of veterans from that time.”

Just over 66,100 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II were alive as of 2024.

Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.

This crisp and colorful romaine and radicchio salad eats like a meal

By Christopher Kimball | Milk Street

The cooks at Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street make a crisp, colorful romaine and radicchio salad. They give it meaty, briny flavor from oil-cured olives and a fruity tang from pomegranate molasses. For added aroma and herbal notes, they supplement the sweet romaine lettuce with pleasantly bitter radicchio. And toss in some parsley, mint or a combination of the two. Hard-cooked eggs cut into wedges lend substance to the salad, making it hearty enough to serve as a light main course.

This crisp, colorful salad gets meaty, briny flavor from oil-cured olives and fruity tang from pomegranate molasses. It’s light and fresh, but hearty enough to serve for brunch or a light supper.

In this recipe from our cookbook, “Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year,” we supplement sweet romaine lettuce with pleasantly bitter radicchio and also toss in some parsley (or mint, or a combination of the two) for added aroma and herbal notes. Don’t forget to pull off and discard the bruised outer leaves from the head of romaine. Closer to the core, the leaves are sweeter.

Hard-cooked eggs cut into wedges lend substance to the salad. When cooking the eggs, be sure to add them to already boiling water, let them simmer vigorously, then shock in an ice bath. The eggs will emerge not only perfectly cooked, but the shells will peel away cleanly and easily.

Either whole-grain or Dijon mustard works nicely in the dressing, balancing the sweetness of the pomegranate molasses, so use whichever you prefer or what you have on hand. Orange juice adds citrusy brightness.

Plate the salad on a serving platter and top with the quartered eggs. Garnish with pomegranate seeds for extra pops of sweet-tart flavor.

Romaine and Radicchio Salad with Olives, Eggs and Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Start to finish: 20 minutesServings: 4 to 6Ingredients:3 tablespoons orange juice OR white wine vinegar2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil4 teaspoons whole-grain mustard OR 1 tablespoon Dijon mustardKosher salt and ground black pepper1 small head romaine lettuce (about 12 ounces), cut crosswise into 2- to 3-inch pieces1 small head radicchio (about 8 ounces), quartered lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces½ cup lightly packed fresh parsley OR mint OR a combination, torn if large⅓ cup pitted oil-cured black olives, chopped2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled, each cut into 6 wedges

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the orange juice, molasses, oil, mustard, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

To the bowl, add the romaine, radicchio, parsley and olives; toss until well combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving platter and top with the eggs.Optional garnish: Pomegranate seeds

EDITOR’S NOTE: For more recipes, go to Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street at 177milkstreet.com/ap

States sue the Trump administration for blocking funds for electric vehicle charging

By SOPHIE AUSTIN and ALEXA ST. JOHN, Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Seventeen states are suing President Donald Trump’s administration for withholding billions of dollars for building more electric vehicle chargers, according to a federal lawsuit announced Wednesday.

The Trump administration in February directed states to stop spending money for electric vehicle charging infrastructure that was allocated under President Joe Biden — part of a broader push by the Republican president to roll back environmental policies advanced by his Democratic predecessor. The EV charger program was set to allocate $5 billion over five years to various states, of which an estimated $3.3 billion had already been made available.

The lawsuit is led by attorneys general from California, Colorado and Washington, and challenges the Federal Highway Administration’s authority to halt the funding. They argue Congress, which approved the money in 2021 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, holds that authority.

“These funds were going to be used to shape the future of transportation,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, calling it “short-sighted” of Trump to revoke the funds.

“We won’t sit back while the Trump administration violates the law,” Bonta, a Democrat, said. The U.S. Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.

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EVs stood at about 8% of new car sales in the U.S. last year, according to Motorintelligence.com, a sign the market is growing — although the pace has slowed as the auto industry tries to convince mainstream buyers about going electric. The program was meant to assuage some concerns and build infrastructure along highway corridors first, then address gaps elsewhere once the state highway obligations were met.

Some states with projects running under the program have already been reimbursed by the Biden-era federal funds. Others are still contracting for their sites. Still more had halted their plans by the time the Trump administration ordered states to stop their spending. Regardless, getting these chargers installed and operating has been a slow process with contracting challenges, permitting delays and complex electrical upgrades.

It was expected that states would fight against the federal government’s efforts to slow the nation’s electric vehicle charger buildout. New York, for example, which is part of the suit, has been awarded over $175 million in federal funds from the program, and state officials say $120 million is currently being withheld by the Trump administration.

Even the electric carmaker Tesla, run by Elon Musk, who has spearheaded Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency efforts to cut federal spending, benefited greatly from funding under the program, receiving millions of dollars to expand its already-massive footprint of chargers in the U.S.

Despite threats to the program, experts have said they expect the nation’s EV charging buildout to continue as automakers look to make good on massive electrification ambitions.

Consumers thinking about buying an EV often cite concerns about the availability of charging infrastructure. It’s a hurdle for people living in multifamily dwellings and in rural areas, or what are otherwise known as “charging deserts.” It’s also a problem for people who can’t find a place to charge their vehicle near their work, or who often drive longer highway routes.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said withholding the funds was illegal and would kill thousands of U.S. jobs, ceding them to China.

“Instead of hawking Teslas on the White House lawn, President Trump could actually help Elon — and the nation — by following the law and releasing this bipartisan funding,” Newsom said, referencing Trump’s recent purchase of a Tesla in a show of support for Musk.

The Trump administration’s effort to withdraw funding for electric vehicle chargers is part of a broader push to roll back environmental policies advanced under Biden.

During Trump’s first week back in office, he signed executive orders to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement again, reverse a 2030 target for electric vehicles to make up half of new cars sold, and end environmental justice efforts. At the same time, federal agencies under Trump have rolled back key rules and regulations and supported the build-out of the fossil fuel industry.

The U.S. House also advanced proposals last week aimed at blocking California from enforcing vehicle-emission rules, including a ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. The Senate parliamentarian says the California policies are not subject to the review mechanism used by the House.

St. John reported from Detroit.

Austin 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. Follow Austin on X: @sophieadanna

Two arrests made in connection to Steinbeck Plaza vandalism

Two women were arrested recently in connection to graffiti vandalism in the Steinbeck Plaza on Cannery Row.

On the morning of April 30, Monterey police officers were called to the Steinbeck Plaza in the 700 block of Cannery Row on reports of extensive graffiti vandalism. When police arrived, they said multiple areas of the plaza had been defaced, including statues, tables and walls. The spray paint and marker graffiti caused an estimated thousands of dollars worth of damage according to police.

The graffiti was cleaned up almost immediately, according to Lt. Ethan Andrews with the Monterey Police Department.

Surveillance footage identified two female suspects. Both suspects were caught on camera participating in the vandalism, marking multiple locations within the plaza. Marina Aiwaz, 28, of Marina was identified through the footage and detectives secured a search and arrest warrant for her.

The following night, with assistance from officers with Cal State Monterey Bay, MPD detectives located and arrested Aiwaz at Divarty and General Jim Moore on the university campus. Aiwaz was accompanied by Jhoana Morales-Lopez, 22, of Marina. Detectives recognized Morales-Lopez from the surveillance video and she was also taken into custody.

When detectives searched Aiwaz’s vehicle and residence, they found items that could be used for vandalism, including spray paint cans, markers and etching tools.

The two suspects were booked into the Monterey County Jail on conspiracy and felony vandalism charges. Their bail was set at $10,000 each.

Since the arrests, police have connected Aiwaz and Morales-Lopez with similar graffiti at businesses along Lighthouse Avenue and are pursuing additional charges, said Andrews.

A similar incident occurred on the CSUMB campus on April 28. The recently unveiled Otters for Life statue, funded by alumni donations, was defaced with messages using obscene language seemingly targeted at the university’s housing department.

Andrews said there is no relation at this time between the CSUMB vandalism and the incident at the Plaza, but both investigations are still ongoing.

The public is encouraged to contact Sergeant Greg Galin at (831) 646-3872 with relevant information. Anonymous tips can be called in at (831) 646-3840.

Horoscopes May 7, 2025: Alexander Ludwig, offer what you can and nothing more

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Alexander Ludwig, 33; Sydney Leroux, 35; Breckin Meyer, 51; Amy Heckerling, 71.

Happy Birthday: Offer what you can; nothing more. Your time is valuable, and you’ll want to expend your energy on beneficial projects, proposals and pastimes that support your chosen lifestyle. Home improvements will require undivided attention and hands-on help to ensure you come in under budget and are happy with the results. Keep your emotions out of money matters, joint ventures and whatever task you try to achieve this year. Your numbers are 4, 17, 24, 26, 32, 35, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Expand your interests, friendships and places you frequent. Getting out and discovering what’s available in your community will give you the boost you need to participate in events that offer expert advice and job opportunities. Don’t limit what you can do when a little effort will go a long way. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Say no to temptation, overspending and taking on responsibilities that don’t belong to you. Your generosity will put you in a vulnerable position. Establish what you are willing to do and what you are not. Offer suggestions but not hands-on help. Promote and market yourself instead of being someone else’s minion. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Declutter your life. Instead of going overboard and stretching yourself emotionally, financially and physically, look inward and ask yourself what’s best for you. Eliminate what tires you out and stands in your way. It’s time to enjoy life and to let go of whatever stands between you and your happiness. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Refuse to let uncertainty stop you from chasing your dreams. Stand up, be counted and take responsibility for your success. Be true to yourself, hone your skills and focus on fulfilling your obligations and transforming how to make and build financial growth. Do your due diligence and handle your affairs personally. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Listen, learn and gather information that might come in handy later. Do for yourself, run things your way and keep your intentions to yourself until you are ready to promote your plans. Expect someone to interfere or try to pressure you into making changes that are better for them than you. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Go on a learning safari. Dig deep, follow the dots and ask experts; you’ll gain insight into what it will take to get things up and running. Change is favored, and following your heart and putting your ideas in motion will give you the wherewithal to complete your mission. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Stay tight-lipped until you have verified the facts and organized your thoughts, developing a feasible plan to accomplish your goal. Keep your life simple; be direct, and do not allow anyone to talk you into something that might encroach on your financial or emotional well-being. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t let anger eat your energy. You have better things to do with your time and should align yourself with those who build you up, not tear you down. Get out, network and join forces with those who offer stability and loyalty, and push your way forward. A personal gain will require hands-on help. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Trust your instincts and abilities, and bypass anyone trying to stand in your way. Use your ingenuity and charm to move forward. Worry less about who follows and more about doing for yourself and reaping the rewards. Someone you meet will grab your attention. Self-improvement is favored and so is romance. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Be honest regarding monetary situations. Don’t spend what you don’t have or get involved with people who request you do so. Focus on home, family and the changes necessary to make life easier. Invest wisely, sell off what you don’t need and do whatever it takes to lower your overhead. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Get out and spin what you want to promote. Update and use your skills to fill a niche that is in demand. An innovative approach to business, lifestyle and what makes you happy will pay off. Don’t let the changes others make stand in your way or leave you questioning your next move. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Look for the positive in everyone. Align yourself with those already on the same page as you. Say no to anyone trying to harness what you can contribute for their benefit. Do your own thing and protect your assets, ideas and valuable connections. Leave nothing to chance and play to win. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are intelligent, forceful and handy. You are ambitious and outgoing.

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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Stephen Curry update: ‘Hard to imagine’ Warriors star will be ready for Game 2

Stephen Curry is considered day-to-day after exiting the Warriors’ playoff game in the first half Tuesday night, but coach Steve Kerr said it was “hard to imagine” the Warriors will have him for Game 2 on Thursday.

Curry was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will undergo an MRI on Wednesday, Kerr said after Golden State pulled out a 99-88 win on the road to begin their Western Conference semifinals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves despite Curry leaving midway through the second quarter and not returning.

“Obviously he’s crushed, but the guys picked him up and played a great game,” Kerr said.

Curry grabbed at his left hamstring after an offensive sequence in the second quarter, motioned to the bench and left the game with 8:19 to go before halftime.

The typical recovery time for hamstring strains range from days to weeks depending on the severity. While that will be only be revealed with the results of the MRI, Kerr acknowledged the long odds of Curry being ready to go just 48 hours later.

“We’re definitely game planning for him not be available on Thursday, but we don’t know yet,” Kerr said. “But with a hamstring, it’s hard to imagine that he would play Thursday.”

Curry sank a step-back 3-pointer in front of Nikeil Alexander-Walker with 9:22 to go in the second quarter, but he began rubbing his left leg on the following defensive possession. That didn’t stop him from getting a step on Alexander-Walker and draining a floater in the lane on the next trip down the court.

But at that point, Curry signaled to the bench. He came out after finding Draymond Green for an open 3 to put them up 30-20. He limped back to the huddle, then to the locker room and didn’t reappear. Holding a 43-31 lead at halftime, the team walked into the locker room to find Curry sitting with an ice pack on his hamstring.

“He was a little deflated,” Green said. “He tried not to show it.”

It took about five minutes of gametime for the Warriors to announce Curry’s diagnosis, and his teammates waited anxiously to hear for themselves. While they had seen Curry leave the game and head to the locker room, they weren’t exactly sure why.

“I didn’t see what happened. I also didn’t see he had grabbed his hamstring,” Green said. “I just saw him limping a bit. So I walked over to him, kind in passing, he was walking toward the locker room, and I said, ‘You good?’ and he said, ‘I’ll be back.’”

Curry, 37, has battled multiple health issues this season, including a banged-up right thumb that he continues to bandage.

“Every time he goes in the back, you hold your breath,” said Gary Payton II, who returned from illness and took Curry’s spot on the floor to start the second half, eventually logging 26 minutes.

“We didn’t really know what was going on for a while,” Green said. “Several minutes. Gametime minutes. We didn’t know for a long time. Then they finally told us it was a hamstring. A little deflating. But we knew he had done a great job of helping us build a comfortable enough lead. Robin turned into Batman, Alfred turned into Robin.”

Curry racked up 13 points before leaving the game, and Golden State’s supporting cast stepped up in his absence. The Warriors led by 10 when he left the game, extended the lead as wide as 23 points and didn’t let Minnesota get any closer than nine.

“He’s gotten us out of so many jams this season,” Payton said. “So for us to have his back for this one game — hopefully it’s one game — guys just stepped up and made plays.”

Buddy Hield scored 24 on 5-of-8 from 3-point distance, Jimmy Butler filled the stat sheet with 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, and Green drained four first-half 3-pointers on his way to 18 in the scoring column to go with eight rebounds and six assists.

The Warriors cycled through 12 players, even giving extended run to Pat Spencer, the former college lacrosse star who ended up logging 10 minutes alongside many of Golden State’s starters. Kerr said Spencer “will definitely get more time” if Curry is unavailable going forward.

“That was an adjustment with Steph’s injury,” he said. “We were completely winging it in the second half.”

Curry missed 12 games at various points of the regular season, and the Warriors actually fared OK, winning seven of them. Of course, Curry was forced to miss time during the 2016 and 2018 postseasons, and those teams turned out just fine.

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“We had an all-time NBA roster. Those days we were well-equipped to handle the loss of Steph,” Kerr said. “When you can bring Shaun Livingston or Andre Iguodala into a game and take Steph’s minutes, you’re in pretty good shape.”

The Warriors haven’t had a day where they haven’t played a game or traveled between cities since April 25, and Kerr said he planned to give his players Wednesday off in Minneapolis while the coaching staff schemed up a Steph-less offensive attack for Game 2.

At the center of it should be Butler, who has dealt with his own health troubles but also shown what “Playoff Jimmy” is capable of, scoring at least 20 in five of the six full games he has played in this postseason.

“We’re gonna need all hands on deck if 30’s not ready to go,” Butler said.

Jimmy Butler-led Warriors steal Game 1 from Wolves after Curry leaves with injury

MINNEAPOLIS – In a postseason full of shocking second-round results, Golden State pulled off perhaps the biggest stunner of them all on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

Even with the face of the franchise lost for the game in the second quarter, the Warriors used veteran guile and surprising contributions from unexpected places to put the Wolves on the ropes at Target Center.

Despite a spirited Minnesota comeback, the Steph Curry-less Warriors held on for a 99-88 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal.

In his return to Minnesota to face the team he left under acrimonious circumstances, Jimmy Butler III scored 20 points while being booed every time he touched the ball. Kevon Looney came off the bench to provide a strong presence in the paint, and Buddy Hield added 18 points despite beginning the game with the wrong shorts.

“I think he knows how much easier the game is for us when he’s hooping at a high level, but we’re all prepared to compete and win without him,” Butler said about possibly playing without Curry in Game 2. “We don’t want to, but we’re prepared, and we may have to.”

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 23 points, 22 after halftime.

Curry was injured with around nine minutes left in the second quarter, straining his left hamstring on a closeout before grabbing a defensive rebound.

Even though Curry made a floater on the next possession, his leg was clearly bothering him, and coach Steve Kerr subbed the superstar out with 8:19 left in the half.

Later in the second quarter, Curry was ruled out for the game with a left hamstring strain after scoring 13 points in the same amount of minutes.

“We’re definitely game planning for him not be available on Thursday, but we don’t know yet,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “But with a hamstring, it’s hard to imagine that he would play Thursday.”

Even without Curry, the Warriors used an incredible defensive effort by Draymond Green and timely shot-making from their role players to take an 80-60 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Wolves used a 16-5 run to cut the deficit to just nine with six minutes left, but a 3-pointer by Hield and a Butler mid-range runner pushed the Warriors’ advantage back to 90-76 with 5:18 to go.

Edwards’ and-1 layup cut the deficit back to nine points with three and a half minutes left, but Hield and Gary Payton II each made 3-pointers to keep the Wolves at bay and provide the Warriors a 12-point lead with 2:11 remaining.

It was a strong ending to a game controlled by the Warriors.

The Warriors led by 13 at halftime and expanded the margin to 55-35 three minutes into the third quarter thanks to a flurry of points, including back-to-back triples by Game 7 hero and sometimes class clown Hield.

The Wolves’ offense had been so abysmal that when Naz Reid made their first 3-pointer after missing their initial 16 attempts – including a historically-bad 0-for-15 in the first half – the Target Center crowd gave the team a roaring ovation.

The Wolves woke up after that make, but even sans Curry, Golden State’s attack continued to roll.

Reserve guard Pat Spencer gave the Warriors a spark off the bench, making a running hook shot, nabbing a few steals and even stealing an offensive board as Golden State extended the lead to 76-53 with 2:23 left in the third quarter.

Like the Rockets team that played multiple big men and crashed the offensive glass with aplomb, the Wolves had a major height advantage around the rim.

The Warriors attacked the Wolves’ drop defense with Rudy Gobert by peppering Minnesota with 3-pointers, and shooting floaters. Green set the tone on the first possession when he went right at the Frenchman and floated in a teardrop.

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The offense was rough in the first quarter, though, with the Warriors shooting just 7 for 22 as Minnesota held a 20-18 lead despite Edwards missing all six of his shots in the opening 12 minutes.

The Warriors answered with a 15-0 run to start the second quarter, one marred by Curry’s hamstring injury.

Thanks to Green’s hot shooting – 4 of 6 for the forward and 9 of 20 as a team from 3-point range in the first half – and continued strong defense on Anthony Edwards, the Warriors led 44-31 at halftime.

Edwards scored only one point in the first half, going 0 for 8 from the field in 20 minutes.

Those 31 points allowed by Golden State was the fewest a Warriors opponent had scored in the postseason since the inception of the shot clock in 1954.

That stellar defensive half set the tone for an impressive Golden State win.

Game 2 is Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Minnesota.