Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 142

Horoscopes May 3, 2025: Christina Hendricks, test the water before jumping in

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Christina Hendricks, 50; Kristin Lehman, 53; Amy Ryan, 57; Frankie Valli, 91.

Happy Birthday: Test the water before jumping in, and initiate changes that improve your life and surroundings. An energetic approach to keeping up, taking care of business and pursuing your goals will pay off, leading to unexpected opportunities that encourage you to expand your attributes, skills and expertise and apply what you know to help those who have lost their way. Your numbers are 5, 13, 21, 29, 34, 42, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Rev your engine and start an adventure. Whether you travel, socialize or challenge yourself mentally, physically or otherwise, turn today into one filled with excitement and joy. Let your heart lead the way, surround yourself with your favorite people and pursue your dreams, hopes and wishes. Expand your interests, knowledge and friendships. Romance is in the stars. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take on whatever you encounter and turn a negative interaction into a positive one. Focus on home, family and making the most of what you’ve got. Your gratitude will uplift others and encourage them to take advantage of their attributes and good fortune. Be the forerunner, teacher and conduit to a better future. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Engage in something that will broaden your outlook and encourage you to make changes, upgrades and connections that help you raise your profile and possibilities. What you learn and the skills you master will help guide you in a positive direction that offers long-term benefits. Group events will offer unique and unexpected prospects. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Uncover new possibilities. Focus on what interests and concerns you most, and you’ll discover how to counter what you don’t like and enhance what you cherish. Aim to stabilize your position and secure your financial situation. A budget and a plan will ease stress and permit you to treat yourself to something special. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Put pressure where needed to ensure you get what you want and when. Use positive tactics that motivate rather than deplete those you expect to support and come through for you. Your attitude will determine the outcome. Put a smile on your face, offer a kind word and enjoy someone’s company. Romance is favored. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): An open mind will help you gather and retain information. Learning and substituting whatever works best for you will bring about positive change. Reuniting or getting together with someone with information or insight into something you want will also open doors. Travel, learning and communication are favored. Invest in yourself, and you’ll gain stability. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Build momentum and become the driving force. Don’t sit back waiting for someone else to make the first move. Success takes time, effort and labor. Show everyone how efficient and hardworking you can be, or use your charm and power of persuasion to convince others to do their part while you supervise. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Problems will surface if you are stubborn, possessive or take aggressive action. Turn your attention inward and critique yourself rather than condemning others. Partnerships will work best if you share and play fair. Choose to get along and compromise, or distance yourself until you can. A physical challenge will help dilute tension. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Get to know someone who interests you better. Communication, sharing knowledge and intentions, and making proposals will leave you in a cushy position that offers security and stability, which will lower your overhead. A lifestyle change will add to your appeal and promote romance. Good choices lead to excellent results. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put a halt on plans if you don’t have everything in place. Put your time and effort into preparation and locating the best help you can receive. Listen, ask questions and verify facts before you proceed. A change is only as good as the thought, hard work and labor you sacrifice. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Pay attention to where your money goes. Work with a budget you can live with and a plan addressing your essential needs. Refuse to let changes or comments others make disrupt your plans. Stick to what works best for you and forgo any temptation you encounter. Don’t fear taking the road less traveled. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Refuse to let your cravings take over; they will only lead to indulgent behavior or expenses you cannot afford. Stick close to friends and family who support and look out for you. Things aren’t as they appear. Discipline and focusing on self-improvement, personal growth, health, wealth and overall well-being will spare you grief and regret. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are aggressive, passionate and helpful. You are outspoken and genuine.

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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Tips for handling your finances in a time of economic uncertainty

By ADRIANA MORGA, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Financial markets are volatile. Consumer confidence is at its lowest level in five years. Economists say recession risks are rising.

It all adds up to financial uncertainty for a lot of Americans. Roughly half of U.S. adults say that President Trump’s trade policies will increase prices “a lot,” according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center of Public Affairs Research. And about half of Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the possibility of the U.S. economy going into a recession in the next few months.

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Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial planning app, says it’s a period of uncertainty for everyone, including experts.

“No one has a crystal ball. No one, even the people that do this professionally and have done it very successfully for many years, know what’s going to happen,” he said.

If you’re worried about how economic uncertainty might affect you, here are some expert recommendations:

Take stock of your finances

The first step to preparing for uncertain financial times is knowing your starting point, Watson said. Look at your budget or your debit card expenses so you can understand how much you spend every month.

“Take stock of where you are across a number of different categories,” Watson said.

Looking at the state of your savings and investments can also provide you with an idea of your overall financial health.

Find where you can cut back

The more nonessential expenses you can pause, the more you can save for an emergency.

“Your choice is really to cut now or cut later, so it’s easier to cut now and have a cushion,” Watson said.

If you’re having difficulty finding where to cut back, Jim Weil, managing partner at Private Vista, a financial planning firm, recommends that you divide your expenses into three buckets: needs, wants and wishes. Wishes are larger expenses that can be postponed, such as a vacation to Europe.

For the time being, cut back expenses from the wishes section until you feel like your finances are in a good place.

Take care of your mental health

Between news about tariffs and job losses, you might feel your anxiety rising. So, it’s important that you protect your mental health while also caring about your finances, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate at Credit Karma. Sometimes, reading too much news that can affect your finances can become overbearing and create more stress than you need.

“It’s good practice to stay informed but you don’t want to let the news cycle consume you,” Alev said.

If you find yourself feeling high levels of stress or anxiety when it comes to your finances, it’s best to contact a professional who can assist you, such as a financial therapist.

If looking for regular mental health services, most health insurance covers some type of mental health assistance. If you don’t have health insurance, you can look for sliding-scale therapists around the country, including through FindTreatment.gov and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America directory.

Focus on what you can control

Rather than worrying too much on the economics of the entire country, Alev recommends that you focus on the aspects of your personal life that you can control in order to feel more confident in case there is a recession.

“Identify any changes that you might need to make to have more of a safety net in place that could give you confidence,” Alev said.

Things you can control include budgeting, creating an emergency fund and cutting unnecessary expenses.

Create an emergency fund

Whether you are worried about your job security or the high prices of goods, it’s best that you sit down and reassess your budget to create an emergency fund. An emergency fund can feel unattainable if finances are already difficult, but having even a small amount of cash saved can make the difference, Alev said.

Ideally, your emergency fund should amount to three to six months of expenses.

Weil recommends you start thinking about any special commitments that you might have in the next year or two, such as college tuition or moving. If you are planning for a large financial commitment in the near future, Weil recommends that you plan to build a larger emergency fund.

Do monthly finance check-ins

Alev recommends regularly adjusting your budget to keep your financial goals on track. Monthly budget check-ins can help identify when you are overspending or if your needs change.

“A budget is only as good as it is to help you actually make decisions, so don’t be afraid to update and adapt your budget as the months go by,” Alev said.

Choose which type of debt to tackle first

Many Americans struggle with debt, whether it’s credit card debt or student loan debt, which limits their ability to save. But, if you want to create an emergency fund while also tackling your debt, it will take some prioritization.

“I would think about different kinds of debt differently,” Weil said, adding that you can place debt in three buckets: short-, medium- and long-term debt.

Weil recommends that you prioritize paying off high-interest debt such as your credit card. By making extra payments or paying over the minimum payment, you will be able to pay it off quicker. Student loan debt and long-term debt such as a mortgage can be tackled with more modest payments while you focus on creating an emergency fund.

If you have credit card debt and you can’t make too much progress in paying it down, Alev recommends you try to eliminate or reduce the amount of credit you use.

FILE – Specialist Gregg Maloney works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)Don’t panic about your investments

While the stock market has had some bad days, it’s best that you are not reactive to the market. If you have investments, especially in retirement vehicles such as your 401(k), it’s best not to make rushed decisions, Alev said.

“You really want to try not to panic. It can be unnerving but most likely, you should have time to make that up,” she added. If you’re closer to retirement, Alev recommends that you look into more conservative investments.

The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

High School track and field: Pacific Grove, King City, Stevenson win team titles

PACIFIC GROVE — Sandwiched in between running laps around a track in two different races, Antony Gabrik turned another event for points into all-league honors.

The Pacific Grove distance ace did what was expected in capturing Cypress Division track titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs. As the season wore on, he became the top 300 intermediate hurdler in the division.

Gabrik was a triple event winner Friday, providing 30 points as the host Breakers brought home a boys team title after outdistancing runner-up North Salinas 161-97.

Upon completion of the 300 intermediate hurdles, Gabrik’s break is a pair of 200-meter sprints before he gets back on the track to tackle the 3,200, which he held on to win in 10:10.91.

Teammate Travis Travaille defended his 100-meter title (11.07) and finished second in both the 200 and long jump for Pacific Grove, while Trenton Maciel captured the high jump.

Keon Ealey was a triple event winner for Seaside with wins in the 200 (22.17) and 400 (50.30), while running a leg on the winning 400 relay team.

Clara Adams began preparation for another podium finish at the state championships, cruising to Cypress Division titles for North Salinas in the 100 (12.22), 200 (25.86) and 400 (62.72).

Last year the sophomore won the Central Coast Coast Section 200 meter title — the first in North Salinas girls school history — and placed fourth at the state championships in the 400.

Sophia Schultz was a double event winner for Pacific Grove with titles in the long and triple jump. Ally Juarez-Gonzales became Trinity’s first double event champion, collecting individual accolades in the 100 hurdles and 300 low hurdles.

Gabilan Division

The feeling was there were avenues to create 30 more points than projected. In the end, Palma coach Jason Smith estimated that 25 extra points were created.

“We had a good day,” Smith said. “We gave ourselves a chance. But Hollister did what it was supposed to do and picked up points. You can’t be unhappy when you have effort.”

The defending Gabilan Division champion Chieftains didn’t have the depth to keep up with Hollister, who swept the boys and girls team titles at Hollister, securing a 155-118 win in the boys’ division and a 169.5-104 decision over Salinas in the girls’ division.

“We were not able to pull it off,” said Smith, who has guided the Chieftains to seven league boys’ titles over the last decade. “I don’t like to lose. But we didn’t beat ourselves. Hollister was just better.”

Behind triple event winner Osbaldo Godoy, the Chieftains swept the first two spots in the 110 high hurdles and 300 intermediate hurdles, as well as the pole vault.

“We dominated the hurdle events,” said Smith, whose squad scored 40 points in the two events. While we won the sprints, we didn’t win the points battle.”

Smith was referring to Weldon Chisum sweeping the 100- and 200-meter sprints for 20 points, only to see Hollister pile up 25 points with multiple places in the two events.

Yet, Palma found itself tied with Hollister with 101 points with a handful of events remaining. What crippled its chances is it failed to produce a point in the 400, both throwing events and three distance events.

“We won a title before without scoring a point in the distance events,” Smith said. “I had hoped some of the other schools would beat each other up in those events. We just weren’t deep enough to make up those points.”

Chisum, the school record holder in the 100 meters, also ran a leg on the winning 400 relay team, while Sebastiann Ponce finished behind Godoy in both hurdle events.

“Almost all of our kids had personal bests today,” Smith said. “That’s what you want your kids to do at the end. When you throw it all on the line, you can’t be unhappy.”

Hannah Vincent, Golda Demby and Prienna Chavez were all double event winners as the Balers continued their dominance in the girl’s division.

Vincent, a state meet qualifier last year, won the long jump and triple jump, while Demby captured both throwing events and Chavez the 1,600 and 3,200.

Annabella Rodriguez was a double event winner for Salinas with titles in the 100 and 200, while teammate Emma Beck won the 100 hurdles and finished second in the 300 low hurdles, triple jump and long jump.

Bella Ortega cleared 11-feet to win the pole vault title for Carmel.

Mission Division

King City made an argument to return to the Gabilan Division after running off with the Mission Division boys title Friday at Rancho San Juan, defeating runner-up Stevenson 169-115.

John Ruelas was a triple event winner for the Mustangs with titles in the 200 and 400, as well as running a leg on the winning 400 relay team that included 100-meter champion Carson Tidwell.

Izaiah Valencia captured the 110 high hurdles and 300 intermediate hurdles for King City, with Alvaro Garcia sweeping the distance events with titles in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Anna Kosmont was a double event winner for girls team champion Stevenson — 115-101 winners over runner-up Monterey — with titles in the 100 and 200. Angela Ayozie of Alvarez won the shot put and discus.

Santa Lucia Division

Giovanni Ochoa was a triple event winner at the Santa Lucia Division finals for Gonzales, winning the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. Izaak Ocampo of team champion Pajaro Valley swept the 100 and 200 and captured the long jump.

Giselle Zepeda ran off with titles in the 100, 200 and 400 and ran a leg on the winning 400 relay for Soledad. Iris Paten won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 for Pacific Collegiate, with St Francis of Watsonville claiming the girls team title.

The Warriors made a choice on defense. Here’s how Houston has made them pay

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors have two main tasks before they play the Rockets in a decisive Game 7 on Sunday at the Toyota Center: make more perimeter shots to crack Houston’s zone defense and find a way to slow down guard Fred VanVleet.

The Warriors were poor in both areas in Game 6 on Friday. They made just 15-of-49 3-point attempts and saw VanVleet torch them for 29 points in a 115-107 loss to the Rockets in what might have been the final game of the season at Chase Center.

VanVleet had nine points in a dominant fourth quarter, giving Houston a chance to close out the series on its own floor and advance to the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“He’s been a champion. Been there, done that,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said of VanVleet, who led the Toronto Raptors past the Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals. “So I wouldn’t expect anything less than that from him.”

Since going 6-for-29 on 3-point attempts in the first three games of the series, VanVleet has come alive, going 18-of-27 from beyond the arc.

Part of VanVleet’s success is taking advantage of the Warriors’ strategy of concentrating more on slowing down Jalen Green. While Golden State has all but erased Green since Game 2, when he had 38 points, VanVleet, alongside Alperen Sengun, has picked up the slack, presenting all kinds of issues for the Warriors.

“We like (VanVleet and Green) on the court together for that reason,” Udoka said. “They put one of the better defenders there. Guys are really setting screens, and our pace has been better. So, we’re getting a lot more freedom. Wearing them down a little bit.

“(The Warriors) do what they do. They have switched lineups quite a bit so far. At times, it feels like they are going for defensive lineups and then offensive, and you can only have a little bit of both. Fred’s been aggressive picking on that, and if they do adjust with Jalen, he’ll have some freedom, as well.”

Still, it’s not just VanVleet. While the Warriors had trouble finding a consistent third scorer Friday behind Steph Curry (29 points) and Jimmy Butler (27 points), the Rockets had four players with at least 14 points. Green had 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting,

“One thing about this team is we pride ourselves on our balance, having different guys that can attack depending on how the defense reads us,” said VanVleet, who played his 58th career postseason game on Friday. “So I’ve just been trying to take advantage of the opportunities when they come my way and step up and make shots when it’s in rhythm.

“Obviously, we know who we’re playing, but at the end of the day, you’ve just got to read the game the way that they’re guarding and take what the defense gives.”

The Warriors’ frustration with the Rockets’ zone defense was never clearer than during the fourth quarter, when Golden State was an abysmal 1-for-12 on 3-point attempts.

Udoka said communication has been key for the Rockets to take away time and space from the Warriors on any open shot attempts. VanVleet said not everything always goes as planned.

“Just attention to detail, trying to find the shooters,” he said. “We’ve been experimenting with some things in the zone, and having a big on the back line, and then just morphing and flying around.

“Half the time, we don’t even know what the hell we’re doing out there. So, I’m sure it’s hard to game plan against. But just flying around, having effort, being physical. We know the guys that we want to limit their touches and their shots, make it tough on them, come up with a rebound.”

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When some teams try to use a zone defense against the Warriors, it’s usually a box-and-one set-up. The Rockets have found something they like with the 2-3 zone, and along with VanVleet responding at the other end of the court, they have turned the series around and pushed the Warriors to the brink.

“The thing with the zone is that there are windows to attack, weak spots, obviously,” Rockets forward Steven Adams said. “We just managed to scramble and get to those spots and rotate pretty well, so the window for shots, we keep it very tight.

“On top of that, we do a good job rebounding and keeping them to one shot. That’s a key weakness with the zone. Because usually you’re out of place to rebound. It’s a weird zone. It’s just like a bizarre one, but it works.”

High School track and field: PCAL team scores

Pacific Coast Athletic League track and field championships

Gabilan Division

At Hollister High

Girls’ results

1. Hollister 169.5; 2. Salinas 104; 3. North County 75; 4. Alisal 59; 5. Palma 53.5; 6 Carmel 34.

Boys’ results

1. Hollister 155; 2. Palma 118; 3. Salinas 85; 4. Carmel 61; 5. Alisal 48; 6. North County 28.

Santa Lucia Division

At Greenfield High

Girls results

1. St. Francis 112; 2. Soledad 82; 3. Anzar 77; 4. Pajaro Valley 69; 5. Greenfield 47; 6. Gonzales 41; 7. Pacific Collegiate 33.

Boys results

1. Pajaro Valley 126; 2. St. Francis 118; 3. Soledad 85; 4. Gonzales 61; 5. Greenfield 41; 6. Pacific Collegiate 32; 7. Kirby 15; 8. Oakwood 1.

Mission Division

At Rancho San Juan High

Girls results

1. Stevenson 115; 2. Monterey 101; 3. Rancho San Juan 83; 4. Watsonville 69; 5. King City 66; 6. Alvarez 61.

Boys results

1. King City 169; 2. Stevenson 115; 3. Watsonville 77; 4. Alvarez 54; 5. Monterey 47; 5. Rancho San Juan 33.

Cypress Division results

At Pacific Grove High

Girls

1. Monte Vista 178; 2. Pacific Grove 107; 3. North Salinas 79; 4. Santa Catalina 44; 5. Trinity 35; 6. York 16; 7. (tie) Seaside and Marina 10.

Boys

1. Pacific Grove 161; 2. North Salinas 97; 3. Monte Vista 90; 4. Seaside 83; 5. Marina 57.

 

High School track and field: Cypress Division results

Pacific Coast Athletic League track and field championships

Cypress Division results

Girls

1. Monte Vista 178; 2. Pacific Grove 107; 3. North Salinas 79; 4. Santa Catalina 44; 5. Trinity 35; 6. York 16; 7. (tie) Seaside and Marina 10.

Boys

1. Pacific Grove 161; 2. North Salinas 97; 3. Monte Vista 90; 4. Seaside 83; 5. Marina 57.

 

Four keys for the Warriors to win Game 6 and eliminate the Rockets

SAN FRANCISCO – There was no panic among the Warriors’ veterans on Wednesday night, none of the team’s superstar core seemingly all that concerned with dropping Game 5 of their first-round series against Houston on Wednesday.

After the 131-116 loss that saw coach Steve Kerr yank the starters in the middle of the third quarter, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green calmly assessed the many things that went wrong.

Throughout their public diagnosis, a sense of “we’ve been here before and know what to do” pervaded their statements.

The Warriors missed their chance at ending the series in five games, but are still up 3-2 with a trip back to the Bay on the schedule.

“We turned the page quickly,” Green said. “We just started talking about possible adjustments we can make, things we see, stuff we can get into.”

With Game 6 set for 6 p.m. Friday, here’s what Golden State needs to do to advance to the second round and a showdown with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Stay out of foul trouble

Golden State had four fouls in the first four minutes of play, and got into the bonus at the 7:44 mark of the first quarter. That barrage of fouls helped Houston get to the line 13 times during the fourth quarter, where the usually shaky Rockets made every single one.

And those fouls could not be blamed on youthful inexperience. Green, Butler and 32-year-old Buddy Hield each had one foul, and Curry was called for two.

“I didn’t have them ready to play, clearly,” Kerr said. “We committed three fouls in the first two minutes of the game … We can’t come out with that lack of defensive focus and energy and expect to beat a great team in a closeout game.”

Get to the line

Along those same (free-throw) lines, it would certainly help the Warriors to get a few easy points early in the game. They did not attempt a single foul shot until the middle of the second quarter, when Gui Santos split a pair to make it 54-25 at the 6:53 mark.

This is an area where the team has gotten help from Butler, who said he’s feeling slightly better each day as he recovers from a pelvis injury sustained in Game 2.

Butler averaged a team-high 7.7 free-throw attempts per game in the regular season, and shot 12-of-12 from the stripe in a Game 4 victory. Butler shot just five in 25 minutes in Game 5, but has proven he can draw fouls with the best of them in a much larger sample size.

“We’re fine,” Butler said. “Our confidence is unwavering, and we know we can start out better, and play better.”

Force Jalen Green to beat you

Fresno-area native Jalen Green remains an offensive enigma for the Rockets. At his explosive, athletic and shotmaking best, he scored 38 points on an array of tough jumpers in Houston’s Game 2 victory.

But he has also been held to under 12 points in each of the other four games, the lowlight coming when Buddy Hield locked him up on multiple possessions during Game 4. He has shot just 13 of 42 outside of Game 2, and has been an inconsistent playmaker.

The Warriors could be well served to take their chances with Green gunning out of the pick-and-roll, and not the hot-shooting Fred VanVleet (12 3-pointers made and 51 combined points over the last two games).

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Game 5 was so uncompetitive that it took until late in the fourth quarter, when the Warriors’ reserves made a comeback and forced the Houston starters back into the game, to see either team get a technical.

That has not been the case for most of the series, as Tari Eason, Dillon Brooks and Alperen Sengun have done their best to muddy up the game and try to get into the heads of Green and the Warriors’ vets.

Before and during the series, Kerr has stressed the importance of maintaining poise. The Warriors have done a decent job of it so far, and that will need to continue in Game 6.

A 10-foot microscope reveals big lessons about the tiniest threats to the human body

There’s a technological revolution underway that’s making it faster and easier for scientists to see the molecules that undermine human health — and possibly fight the problem.

The “resolution revolution” involves cryo-electron microscopes, whose ever-improving detectors and software are producing three-dimensional images in unprecedented detail, aiding drugmakers.

They reveal detail so precise that biologist Andrew Ward, of Scripps Research in La Jolla, California, was able to spotlight the Achilles’ heel of several types of coronaviruses in images that he produced in 2016-17.

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The weaknesses he called out? Spike proteins — the now-familiar elements that allow such viruses to infect cells.

This helped drugmakers to know exactly what to target when SARS-CoV-2 — the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 — emerged in late 2019.

Ward produced an even clearer snapshot of the proteins in 2020, further helping scientists create vaccines.

With additional help from him, effective vaccines were quickly produced.

“That was just the beginning,” said Ward. “Now, this technology is opening doors that help us understand the roots of diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer’s.”

“It routinely lets us see life’s tiniest machines — proteins, viruses and the atoms they combine — with breathtaking clarity,” he added.

The research isn’t widely known to the public, partly because it’s hard to conceive of how any microscope — let alone one that’s 10 feet tall — can flash-freeze moving molecules, exposing their structure and purpose.

Ward offered a simple analogy to explain the matter.

“Imagine walking into a dark room,” he said. “You can roughly tell where the furniture is, and see shadowy outlines of a couch or a table. But once the lights are on, you can visualize color, texture, size and fine details.”

That’s what cryo-electron microscopes do — and with great speed.

Ward could only produce about 200 images per day when he was earning his doctorate at Scripps from 2003 to 2008, when he was using a far less powerful type of cryo-electron microscope. And he had access to it only a day or two each month.

Today, he can generate 1,500 images per second on Titan Krios, the largest and most powerful of Scripps’ seven cryo-electron microscopes.

If you were able to stack up the images he takes during a six-hour period, they would rise as high as Mount Everest, said Ward, who has been collaborating with institutes on SARS-CoV-2, Lassa, HIV, malaria and the H5N1 bird flu.

Lab manager Hannah Turner shows the Titan Krios electron microscope at Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, on Friday, April 11, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

To the unfamiliar eye, the images look bizarre. Some resemble bumpy, frozen lava, others crinkly Christmas wreaths. Still others look like the knotty cords on old landline telephones.

But their importance is understood by scientists, especially those focused on preparing the world for whatever pandemic could come next.

It’s a bit of a fluke that Ward is a rising star at an institute that has helped develop more than 15 FDA-approved drugs and treatments, including Humira, which is used by people who suffer from arthritis.

He was interested in science growing up outside Boston — less so when he entered Duke University as a freshman.

Things quickly changed when he took a work-study job in a campus lab, where cell biologists Michael and Mary Reedy let him tinker. Before long, Ward was helping build the components of microscope cameras and detectors, and was dazzled by what they could do.

“I began to see molecules and atoms,” said Ward, now 46. “It kind of blows your mind to follow things at that resolution.”

Electron microscopes have existed since the 1930s, and they’ve played a vital role in revealing the structure of proteins and viruses and how they work. But the instruments didn’t start to enter their current golden age until roughly 2001, the year Ward arrived at Scripps as a lab technician.

The advancements have come especially quickly over the past decade, starkly improving image resolution and enabling scientists to see individual atoms. Software has also made it easier to see molecules interact with prospective drugs, helping determine which ones should go on to large-scale clinical trials.

The boom, locally and worldwide, didn’t go unnoticed. In 2017, three European scientists won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for helping transform cryo-electron microscopes into indispensable tools to explore the life sciences.

Ward says he’s happy to be in the background. But he has emerged as a leader in the field — mostly through his use of Titan Krios.

“Big Daddy,” as Ward calls it, is highly sensitive. The towering microscope sits on stabilizers to prevent something as simple as a slammed door from producing vibrations that could mess up image-taking. It operates in silence for the same reason.

Lab manager Hannah Turner holds grids, a single one used to hold a sample, placed into the Titan Krios electron microscope at Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, on Friday, April 11, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

In plain terms, the microscope freezes biological samples, then hits them with electron beams that create images.

“Once you see the arrangement of atoms, the connectivity of molecules, you can become an engineer,” Ward said. “You can move things around and manipulate the building blocks of life to make new therapeutics and vaccines that have much higher likelihood of success compared to engineering without blueprints.

“We’ve sped up the process of choosing which one should be a go, or no-go, for clinical trials,” Ward said.

That doesn’t mean scientists are close to flooding the market with new means of prevention.

“The potential vaccines will collectively have to go through five to seven years of trials in humans,” he added. “But we are no longer shooting in the dark or relying on empiricism.

“We can now shine a light — or rather a very powerful electron beam — on the science driving vaccine research.”

Horoscopes May 2, 2025: Dwayne Johnson, put your energy where it counts

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kyle Busch, 40; Ellie Kemper, 45; David Beckham, 50; Dwayne Johnson, 53.

Happy Birthday: Put your energy where it counts. Refuse to let what others do or say cause confusion or distract you from getting the highest return. It’s up to you to pick and choose what makes you tick and brings you joy. Refuse to give anyone the right to decide for you. You are due for a change, but first, ensure you do what pleases you most. Your numbers are 8, 14, 18, 26, 31, 39, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): An emotional challenge will surface if you get into a scuffle. Focus on activities that depend on putting your time and energy toward self-improvement, health and living the life that makes you feel good about yourself. Turn a negative into a positive by choosing peace and love over discord and chaos. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take care of responsibilities before someone criticizes or complains. Efficiency is your key to keeping the momentum flowing and your social plans from being revoked. The less interaction you have with authority figures and institutions, the easier it will be to get things done and move on to more desirable pastimes. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Step outside your comfort zone and expand your mind, friendships and pursuits. Pour your expertise, enthusiasm and energy into getting the perfect balance between work and play. Showing all sides of your personality and your ability to accept a challenge and push forward with a positive attitude will give you a competitive edge. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Think before you say something you will regret. Emotions are rumbling, and calming the storm brewing within isn’t easy when dealing with those who don’t share your beliefs and values. Lock on to what’s important to you and alter your course to ensure you spend more time on personal growth than trying to change others. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Avoid sharing your feelings or taking on an emotional dispute with an associate. Let your actions, discipline and dedication speak for you, and finish what you start before you move on to more enjoyable pastimes. Update your physical appearance to represent how in touch and youthful you are. A personal pick-me-up will feed your ego. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Distance yourself from those creating havoc or confusion. A change will do you good. Study, research and test drive something you are considering or want to pursue. Set parameters you can live with before committing to something requiring cash and contracts. Do your best to secure your position and stabilize your partnerships. 4 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Align yourself with people with something to offer. Joining forces will give you the strength and courage to stand up for your beliefs. An opportunity to travel, learn or expand your interests will open doors to individuals who can clear up any misconception or doubt you have about someone or something you want to pursue. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): It’s time to pin down your next move, desires or lifestyle changes. Get out and see what life has to offer. Engage in events or activities that provide insight into what others think and do to overcome boredom or to harness and employ their gifts, skills and passion. Romance is favored. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Social interaction will lead to unique points of view that can help you fine-tune your thoughts and pursuits to suit your budget and skills. Fix your surroundings to accommodate what you want to work toward, and share your thoughts with someone you love. Take the input you receive to heart. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay attention to what’s happening at home. A domestic shift can be beneficial if you are true to yourself and those you live with. It’s best to handle an emotional issue before it becomes unmanageable. A positive attitude will help you win favors and displace anyone trying to wreak havoc. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A gentle nudge with a smile, compliment and sound alternative will help you gain approval. Concentrate on expanding your interests and making friends. Choose physical activity over getting involved in a no-win situation. Choose to spend and dedicate your time to self-improvement, financial growth and sharing with someone you love. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Streamline your plans and choose your words wisely. Refrain from overdoing it or letting someone take advantage of your kindness and generosity. Choose to do something that eases stress, makes you feel and look your best, and entertains your spirit. A conversation with someone offering alternative suggestions will spark your imagination. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are empathetic, protective and speculative. You are demonstrative and hands-on.

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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Trump denies disaster aid, tells states to do more

By Alex Brown, Stateline.org

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — In the wake of recent natural disasters, state leaders across the country are finding that emergency support from the federal government is no longer a given.

Under President Donald Trump, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied federal assistance for tornadoes in Arkansas, flooding in West Virginia and a windstorm in Washington state. It also has refused North Carolina’s request for extended relief funding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

While it’s not uncommon for the feds to turn down some requests for disaster declarations, which unlock federal aid, state leaders say the Trump administration’s denials have taken them by surprise. White House officials are signaling a new approach to federal emergency response, even as Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem threaten to shut down FEMA altogether.

“The Federal Government focuses its support on truly catastrophic disasters—massive hurricanes, devastating earthquakes, or wide-scale attacks on the homeland,” Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the National Security Council, which advises the president on issues of national security, said in a statement to Stateline.

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Hughes said state and local governments “often remain an impediment to their own community’s resilience.” He called on states to take on a more extensive role.

“States must have adequate emergency management staff, adoption and enforcement of modern building codes, responsible planning and strategic investment to reduce future risk, commonsense policies that prioritize preparedness over politics, disaster reserve funds to handle what should be routine emergencies, pre-negotiated mutual aid and contingency contracts that speed up recovery, and above all, an appetite to own the problem,” the statement said.

State emergency management leaders say the federal retreat from disaster response has upended a long-established system.

“This is very unusual,” said Karina Shagren, communications director with the Washington Military Department, which oversees the state’s emergency management division. “This is the first time in recent memory that we have hit all the indicators to get FEMA’s public assistance program and we’ve been denied.”

Michael Coen, who served as chief of staff at FEMA during the Obama and Biden administrations, said the president has “broad discretion” to approve or deny disaster requests, regardless of whether they meet specified conditions. If Trump intends to curtail federal support, Coen said, he should give states clear guidelines.

“They should have a dialogue with the states, so the states aren’t spinning their wheels making requests that are going to get denied,” Coen said.

He added that states need guidance if they’re expected to build emergency management programs to take on what the feds once handled. Not all states, Coen said, have the capacity to replicate those functions. And disasters are expected to increase in frequency and severity because of climate change.

“Having that capability in every single state instead of having one FEMA is not the best use of tax dollars to prepare for the worst day,” he said.

Historically, FEMA has coordinated the federal response during emergency situations. In the National Security Council statement, Hughes said Trump has promptly authorized “life-saving emergency support to states during and in the immediate aftermath of disasters.”

But the agency’s larger role has focused on recovery after disasters, assessing damage and distributing funding to help communities rebuild. Now, some communities are finding that support is no longer a sure thing.

Issaquah, Washington, was among the cities hit hard by the “bomb cyclone” that ripped through the state last November. Severe winds killed two people in the state, knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of residents and caused millions in damage, state officials said.

A city of about 40,000 residents in the Cascade foothills, Issaquah’s costs from the storm totaled $3.8 million — covering road repairs, removal of 800 tons of tree debris and overtime pay for first responders. Mayor Mary Lou Pauly said the city has seen four events since 2020 that qualified for federal disaster aid, with no previous denials. If Washington is unable to win its appeal with FEMA, she said, Issaquah will take a financial hit to its reserves, leaving it more vulnerable to future storms.

“We put a lot of investment in being resilient,” Pauly said. “When you get to a number like $3.8 million, that is too big of a number for us to be able to rebuild without assistance. Our residents pay federal taxes, and this is what they think they pay them for, this is what they expect their national government to do. They do not want me to set property taxes 100% higher.”

Pauly echoed Coen’s view that FEMA should give states a clear outline of the role it will play.

“What we all want to know is what are the rules of the game?” she said. “If the criteria has changed, then why aren’t we getting told about it?”

Washington state leaders said they were shocked when FEMA denied their request for $34 million to help repair roads, utilities and power systems. Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson said the state’s application met all of the “very clear criteria to qualify.” He has vowed to appeal the decision.

“We were really relying on that funding,” said Shagren, of the Washington Military Department. “If the appeal is denied, our local jurisdictions will have to prioritize which projects they can move forward with and which they don’t. They’re going to be impacted greatly. This wasn’t some small storm.”

Other states also have been surprised by FEMA denials. Arkansas suffered 14 tornadoes in March, triggering a request for a disaster declaration from Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. But the feds told state leaders to handle it on their own.

“[I]t has been determined that the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies,” the federal government’s denial read, according to Arkansas Times.

Sanders has appealed that decision, saying the disaster caused “widespread destruction” that requires federal help.

In West Virginia, state leaders asked for disaster aid to cover 14 counties that were struck by flooding in February. But FEMA denied individual assistance to seven of those counties. Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a statement that he is looking at options to appeal, but praised the Trump administration for its “strong support” following the floods.

Democratic leaders in the state have called on Morrisey to demand more help from the feds, WOWK reported.

Meanwhile, FEMA has said it will no longer match 100% of North Carolina’s spending to recover from September’s Hurricane Helene. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein said the cost share was crucial to the state’s efforts to rebuild.

“The need in western North Carolina remains immense — people need debris removed, homes rebuilt, and roads restored,” Stein said in a statement, according to NC Newsline. “I am extremely disappointed and urge the President to reconsider FEMA’s bad decision, even for 90 days.”

Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org.

©2025 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.