Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 15

49ers’ 5 keys to upsetting the Rams at Levi’s South in NFC West battle

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Business travel is picking up for the 49ers.

Four of their next five games are away from Levi’s Stadium, site of last Sunday’s first loss of the season, a 26-21 turnover-fest against Jacksonville.

Now the stakes jack up with the 49ers’ lone appearance on Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football,” with a 5:15 p.m. visit to the 7-point favorite Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, where the majority of fans are typically 49ers Faithful.

The 49ers are packing light, so to speak: quarterback Brock Purdy and leading wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings have been ruled out because of injuries.

As helpful as a “last-place schedule” may assist the injury-riddled 49ers this season, can “jetlag” be added to their relentless injury list?

The upcoming runway: at the Rams tonight, Oct. 12 at Tampa Bay (4:25 p.m. ET), Oct. 19 vs. Atlanta (5:20 p.m.), Oct. 26 at Houston (noon CT), Nov. 2 at the New York Giants (1 p.m. ET).

“It’s always a challenge when you have more on the road, but that means you get more at home later at some time,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “… Could be a disadvantage, could end up being an advantage”

Historically, it’s rare to play four of five on the road, and even rarer to have that stretch uninterrupted by a bye. Shanahan has experienced it just once as the 49ers’ coach, going 2-3 in that 2020 late-season block while getting booted out of Santa Clara County amid COVID protocol.

The 49ers haven’t had a four-of-five road string this early in a season since 1989, when they opened with five of six on the road en route to a second straight Super Bowl crown.

Here are five ways to open this October tour triumphantly:

1. PASS COVERAGE

Recording no interceptions through four games makes it seem like the 49ers have an atrocious pass defense. The drought is actually 11 games dating back to last November when Isaac Yiadom picked off Seattle.

Playing without Nick Bosa (knee surgery) invites Matthew Stafford to target anyone — including Puka Nacua (the NFL’s leading receiver with 503 yards) and Davante Adams (Palo Alto High, class of 2011). Los Angeles native Deommodore Lenoir is craving his first interception and has allowed seven completions on 11 targets this season.

Nickel back Upton Stout and safety Marques Sigle are eager to get tested by Stafford, but they’ll welcome pass-rush help from fellow rookies Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, C.J. West and, well, anyone. Sunday’s failure to touch Trevor Lawrence was an indictment on the Bosa-less personnel and a scheme that summoned only five blitzes. The Rams’ line can be had, and right tackle Rob Havenstein is doubtful; Jimmy Garoppolo is Stafford’s backup.

2. McCAFFREY’S L.A. STORY

Once upon a time – in Christian McCaffrey’s starting debut for the 49ers – he produced touchdowns via passing, catching and rushing in a 2022 rout of the host Rams.

He’s yet to run for 100 total yards or break anything longer than 15 yards in a game this season. Neither he nor any other 49er has run for a touchdown. But he’s healthy, and his team-high 31 receptions (305 yards, two touchdowns) have helped cover for missing wide receivers. It’s also a bit of a homecoming, as SoFi Stadium is 15 miles south of his offseason home that George Clooney previously owned.

McCaffrey says he’s close for a breakout game. Shanahan agrees. The offensive linemen could have the ultimate say as they need to open up better lanes and block what could be the best defensive front they’ve faced this season.

3. QUARTERBACK ASSETS

Five drops plagued Purdy’s unsuccessful comeback Sunday, when he also doomed things with two interceptions, a last-minute strip-sack fumble at midfield, and the aggravation of his toe injury.

The 49ers must protect the more-patient Mac Jones as he starts again in place of Purdy. Passes must be more accurate, and targeted receivers must be sure-handed and relentless in pursuit of moving the chains and ultimately the ball across the goal line.

With Pearsall (knee) and Jennings (ankle) shelved, that likely thrusts ex-Rams receiver Demarcus Robinson into the starting lineup with Kendrick Bourne. Robinson soared for a nice catch in Sunday’s debut and excelled throughout camp before his three-game suspension. Bourne vowed to redeem himself after three drops against Jacksonville.

With George Kittle eligible to come off Injured Reserve after this game, tight ends Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell should seize whatever opportunities they get – and hold onto the ball, which Farrell failed to do for the 49ers’ first turnover against Jacksonville.

4. KYREN CAN RUN

McCaffrey isn’t the only one with a recent touchdown hat trick in this matchup at SoFi Stadium. Rams running back Kyren Williams scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in their 27-24 Week 3 win last season against the visiting 49ers. Williams’ encore saw him run for 108 yards in a 12-6 escape at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 12.

Williams (68 carries, 303 yards) and Blake Corum (23 carries, 120 yards) have yet to break a run longer than 15 yards, like McCaffrey.

The 49ers’ run defense is coming off a dismal effort. It allowed Travis Etinee to run for 124 yards, the fourth most in the Shanahan era since 2017. The 49ers are being outrushed by 27.5 yards per game, which is their worst mark through four games since 2020, according to the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow.

5. X-FACTORS

Nowhere more than SoFi Stadium have 49ers’ fans reliably populated the majority of an away venue. Those voices must carry loud and proud for the 49ers this game to give them an away-game advantage.

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That could irritate the Rams’ offense again into a silent count. The 49ers’ offense, meanwhile, also will have to endure noise, which at least one lineman believes is artificially pumped in, and that claim was echoed by ex-49er long snapper Taybor Pepper on social media this week.

Special teams should not be diminished into “X factor” category, but here we are and they can’t be ignored. The Rams’ kickoff technique is that of a “dirty ball” which is hard to cleanly field and thus messes up blocking schemes. That’s not great if the Rams are scoring a lot to thus kick off, and the 49ers’ return and coverage units remain sub-par.

The 49ers are 2-0 on the road this season, and their 22 away-game wins since 2021 are the third-most in the NFL.

Horoscopes Oct. 2, 2025: Annie Leibovitz, set guidelines for yourself

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kelly Ripa, 55; Sting, 74; Annie Leibovitz, 76; Donna Karan, 77.

Happy Birthday: Set guidelines for yourself to ensure you don’t miss out on something you want to do this year. Being organized and staying on top of requirements, documentation and up-to-date information will help eliminate setbacks. Tailor your demands to suit your needs, and maintain discipline to ensure you get the most for your time, effort and money. Avoid aggressive action without proper preparation. Take control and be transparent. Your numbers are 1, 8, 15, 27, 32, 38, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Incorporate pastimes that bring you joy. Volunteer to help organizations that address matters of concern. Give back to your community, and you’ll connect with people who share your values. Put more effort into developing skills that can help you land a job you feel passionate about. Positive change is within reach. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You may want to reflect before making a move or settling for something that doesn’t thrill you. Look around and consider how you can use your skills more diversely. Reach out to someone from your past who inspired you and catch up. What you discover will encourage you to pursue your dreams. Self-improvement is favored. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A change of plans will bring value and hope into your life. Explore the possibilities, and research how you can use your skills and experience to earn extra cash. An unexpected diversion will point you in a different direction. Look for adventure, and you’ll discover someone or something that motivates you to follow your heart. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Effective money management will be beneficial. Consider selling items you no longer need. Exaggeration and overspending are the enemy; once you turn stuff into cash, you’ll gain insight into minimalism and peace of mind. A lifestyle change will be uplifting, help you get back on track and encourage you to reset your priorities. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Stop fretting and start doing what makes you happy. Life is simple when you don’t complicate matters. Rethink your past and consider what you’d do differently. Learn from your mistakes, and you’ll gain perspective regarding how and where you want to live. It’s up to you to create your opportunities and turn your desires into reality. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make what you do count. Don’t live someone else’s dream when you have your own to pursue. Participate in events that offer insight into something that excites you; you’ll get an inside look at the pros and cons and make connections that can help you begin your journey. Personal growth will lead to new beginnings. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take pride in what you do, and you’ll gain the respect and trust of those you deal with today. A change to your routine will enhance how you spend your time and encourage you to pursue experiences that foster socialization with people who stimulate your thoughts and inspire you to try new things. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Be careful how you handle friends, associates and lovers. Keep an open mind, and give others the same freedom you expect in return. Channeling your energy into self- and personal improvement and adding value to who you are and what you want to become will far exceed your expectations. Stop spinning your wheels; it’s time to evolve. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Limitations are lessons; don’t waste time. Recognize what you are supposed to learn, and adjust your life to complement who you are and what you want. Take responsibility for your happiness, and you’ll discover ways to diversify and make the most out of whatever comes your way. It’s how you use each moment that matters. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Listen, dissect and adjust. Less talk and more thought will help you recognize what’s worth keeping and what you should discard. You have more choices than you realize, and once you head in the right direction, you’ll gain momentum. Acceptance and release will give you the courage to do what’s best for you. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Check documents, sign agreements, set priorities and take care of business. Use your insight and imagination to initiate the changes that bring you happiness. Direct your energy toward spending time with people who inspire you to be the best version of yourself. Don’t give up or give in; be true to yourself. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Give yourself a nudge. Invest time and money in achieving a lifestyle that satisfies your soul. Be brave, say no when necessary and take responsibility for your life. Fear of failure is an excuse, and blaming others or circumstances won’t make you feel better. It’s time to put energy into building a bright and sustainable future. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are intense, astute and compassionate. You are questioning and innovative.

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.

“Roots to Horizon” Hartnell Art Gallery to celebrate school legacy

The Hartnell College Gallery’s newest exhibition, “Roots to Horizon,” will open Friday, celebrating three milestones: the 90th anniversary of Hartnell’s Art Department (1936), the 50th anniversary of the Visual Arts Building (1977) and the completion of a two-year renovation.

“Roots to Horizons” highlights generations of Hartnell’s faculty and artists, from founding instructor Leon Amyx to current faculty members, including works by Chris Bassett, Joe Bragdon, Eric Bosler, Robert Butterbaugh, Philip T. Cerney, Maureen Fenton, Georgesse Gomez, J.C. Gonzalez, Johanna Keefe, Jerri Nemiro, Pam Murakami, Eduardo Ramos, Lesha Maria Rodriguez, Gary Smith and Trish Triumpho Sullivan.

Marshall Sharpe, Hartnell’s newest gallery director and full-time art instructor, will also be honored at the ceremony, with his paintings displayed alongside many of his colleagues’.

In addition to this, the event celebrates the completion of renovations made to the Visual Arts Building. The renovations, which took two years to complete, were funded by Measure T bond initiatives, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, an anonymous donor, the Burrell Leonard Art Gallery Endowment as well as other private donors to the Hartnell College Foundation according to a press release by the college.

The event is free and open to the public, with a closing reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony in the brick courtyard on the north side of Building J from 5 to 7 p.m. with drinks and appetizers provided.

Rams’ Jared Verse says he won’t antagonize 49ers’ Trent Williams Thursday night

By GREG BEACHAM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse gets part of his own edge by running a steady stream of trash talk and jokes at his opponents.

But Verse grinningly admits he won’t be quite so verbose when the Rams (3-1) host the San Francisco 49ers (3-1) and their 11-time Pro Bowl left tackle, Trent Williams, on Thursday night.

“I don’t lie down for anybody,” Verse said. “I don’t change up how I am for anybody. But I also am not, you know, dumb. I’d rather let a sleeping giant sleep. I’m not going to wake up nobody that’s minding their business, especially somebody like that.”

Verse admits he struggled against Williams in their only previous meeting last September. He rarely struggled for long stretches at any other point last season on the way to the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

“Trent is one of the best linemen ever,” Verse said. “He’s probably going in the Hall of Fame for a reason. I think he’s been in the league longer than I’ve played football, so he kind of understands it. But I think the biggest challenge he adds is with age, you become more savvy. He’s figured out, ‘OK, I’m not going to take this block head-on. I’m going to manipulate it.’ He’s going to mess with you just a little bit that makes you not be able to make the play, but he’s still that dominant version of Trent that can get right in front of you and stop him in the pass rush.”

Verse has followed up his impressive rookie year with two sacks, six quarterback hits and 17 tackles in the Rams’ first four games. While he trails teammate Byron Young, the NFL co-leader with five sacks, Verse is drawing extreme attention from opponents’ offensive lines, sometimes clearing space for his teammates to capitalize.

Verse heads into this NFC West showdown with the Niners after the best performance of the new season. He had a sack and six pressures in the Rams’ 27-20 comeback victory over the Colts.

He also produced another memorable highlight when the Rams rushed him up the middle from a stand-up position, instead of coming off the edge. With perfect timing, Verse ran over Indianapolis center Tanor Bortolini on the way to forcing an incompletion by Daniel Jones — and only missing a sack because he was tripped, according to Sean McVay.

“That was awesome,” the head coach said. “You talk about timing it up with the play clock going down. It looked like a trip to me potentially, but I thought he was awesome. I think really the last couple of weeks, the energy, the pre-snap demeanor and the vibe that he’s brought to our group, I think he’s been excellent.”

It was the type of spectacular athletic play that Verse makes regularly. He still had to petition the Rams’ defensive coaching staff to put the unusual scheme into the game plan, allowing him to rush up the middle.

“It’s something I enjoy,” Verse said. “I like being in different positions, because it’s not often I get to go up against a center or guard and use my speed, my power, to be able to play them games from a different position. I like that.”

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Verse is one big reason why the Rams are second in the league with 14 sacks while ranking in the top 10 against both the run and the pass. San Francisco quarterback Mac Jones said Tuesday that he thinks the Rams have the best defense in the league.

“I feel we’re definitely getting a lot more respect,” Verse said. “To say we’re the best defense, that could be neither here nor there. I think we’ve got a lot of things to work on, but I’m not really focused too much on being the best defense in the league. … When we’re the best version of us, we can dog anybody.”

Blue Angels grounded for Salinas Airshow

The Blue Angels will not perform in the 44th California International Airshow in Salinas this weekend due to the federal government shutdown show organizers announced Wednesday.

The shutdown halts non-essential government operations, including military demonstration teams. such as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

Salinas’ annual airshow, which will be held Saturday and Sunday, has been preparing to host the Blue Angels for nearly a year with thousands of dollars already spent preparing for their performance.

According to the Salinas Airshow Office early Wednesday, the Blue Angels had been approved to stay one more day in Salinas in hope that the shutdown, which started Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. would end.

At a briefing Wednesday morning, the Blue Angels continued planning with the Airshow Board as if they would still be performing this weekend.

Show organizers emphasized that although the Blue Angels would not be performing, the California International Airshow will go on, starting Friday and running through Sunday at the Salinas Municipal Airport with a number of other performances. Both Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation will demonstrate their Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft for the first time. There will also be a variety of ground acts and other civilian airshow performers for spectators to watch.

The Board of Directors of the California International Airshow said in a press release that “our Board of Directors and volunteers have worked hard to make this airshow a success for our community, and are committed to make sure that still happens.”

More information and tickets can be found at https://www.salinasairshow.com/

High School cross country: PCAL Center Meet results

Pacific Coast Athletic League Cross Country Center Meet Results

At Toro Park (3.01 miles)

Gabilan Division

Boys results

1. Monte Vista 56; 2. Alisal 70; 3. Salinas 90; 4. North County 90; 5. Hollister 98; 6. Marina 104; 7. King City 144,

Individual results

1. Fernando Herrera (Alisal) 15:40; 2. Tomas Rey-Avila (Salinas) 15:48; 3. Leandro Montoya (North County) 16:12; 4. Gavin Beckman (Monte Vista) 16:12; 5. Kevin Azpeita (Marina) 16:17; 6. Owen Beckman (Monte Vista) 16:18; 7. Andrew Parra (Hollister) 16:22; 8. Chris Wing (Salinas) 16:33; 9. Conor Gilliam (Monte Vista) 16:40; 10. Arthur Abila (North County) 16:40.

Mission Division

Boys results

1. Pacific Grove 44; 2. Carmel 53; 3. Watsonville 86; 4. Alvarez 90; 5. Greenfield 93; 6. Stevenson 154; 7. Monterey 175.

Individual results

1. Jasper Bolante (Carmel) 15:38; 2. Nain Garcia-Ferria (Watsonville) 16:25; 3. Antony Gabrik (Pacific Grove) 16:34; 4. Betinho Zunguze (Pacific Grove) 16:35; 5. Tadeo Ortiz (Pacific Grove) 17:04; 6. Charles Guzzi (Carmel) 17:07; 7. Nate Gregory (Stevenson) 17:30; 8. Daniel Rubio-Garcia (Alvarez) 17:32; 9. Desi Salinas-Holz (Watsonville) 17:33; 10. Yael Hernandez (Greenfield) 17:36.

Gabilan Division

Girls results

1.  Alisal 36; 2. North County 72; 3. Hollister 78; 4. Watsonville 97; 5. Salinas 114; 6. Alvarez 121.

Individual results

1. Prienna Chavez (Hollister) 18:42; 2. Yaretzi Cornelio (Alisal) 19:23; 3. Valeria Pio-Pahua (North County) 19:48; 4. Azucena Sandoval (Watsonville) 19:51; 5. Angelica Murillo (Alisal) 20:06; 6. Victoria Ruiz (North County) 20:18; 7. Lizbeth Gomez Abrica (Watsonville) 20:39; 8. Alondra Rios (Alisal) 21:06; 9. Ana Kaplansky (Hollister) 21:12; 10. Erika Castro (Alisal) 21:55.

Mission Division 

Girls results

1. Marina 64; 2. Pacific Grove 82; 3. Monte Vista 91; 4. King City 111; 5. Stevenson 113 6. Carmel 119; 7. Greenfield 132; 8. Monterey 137.

Individual results

1. Anna Conca (Monte Vista) 19:19; 2. Finley Castro (Monte Vista) 19:44; 3. Alivia Rivera (Marina) 19:52; 4. Lucy Crawford (Monterey) 19:54; 5. Jasmine Jin (Carmel) 20:25; 6. Izoida Ramirez (Greenfield) 21:03; 7. Rosa Pacheco (King City) 21:27; 8. Eleanor Holt (Pacific Grove) 21:35; 9. Jocelyn Olivera (King City) 21:49; 10. Lauren Galicia (Carmel) 21:52.

 

High School cross country: Statements made at PCAL Center Meets

SALINAS — In a few weeks, the stakes will be higher. The pressure will intensify. Statements that were made earlier in the year will be distant memories.

That’s not to suggest that runners did not gain valuable experience, or use Wednesday’s Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan and Mission Division Center Meets at Toro Park as a mid-term to the upcoming cross country finals.

The experience comes from setting foot on the 3.01-mile Toro course for the first time, the site of the PCAL finals on Nov. 1. The race was a gauge for runners chasing time and team goals.

“I think threshold work will be critical from this point forward,” Salinas senior Tomas Rey-Avila said. “I came in looking to win the race. Today wasn’t the day for it. I am proud of what I accomplished.”

Instead, it was Carmel distance ace Jasper Bolante sending a message, getting out early and blistering the course, winning the boys race in 15:38, holding off Alisal’s Fernando Herrera and Rey-Avila.

“I’ve been less focused about my time and more focused on placement,” Bolante said. “It has helped with my mentality. I came in with the thought of winning this race.”

The next step for Bolante is pushing his teammates towards a potential Mission Division title, as the Padres finished second to Pacific Grove, reversing the results from the first Center Meet two weeks ago at Pinto Lake in Watsonville.

The same can be said for Herrera, as the Trojans finished second to Monte Vista Christian for the second time in two Center Meets, falling 56-70.

“The goal was to break up the Monte Vista team,” Herrera said. “We have got some work to do. I think we’ve shown we have the talent. We’ve got a few weeks to focus on winning that championship.”

While there is one more Center Meet at a site yet to be determined, this event had significant meaning because runners got a feel for the challenges of Toro’s hills, its awkward start, and at times — narrow trails.

“I got pushed around a little at the start,” said Bolante, who also won the first Center Meet. “I’m glad I was able to get out early. I have been working on my speed. That used to be a pretty big weakness.”

While time wasn’t a concern for Bolante, he clocked 15:38, which was just two seconds off of what the junior ran last Saturday at the Monterey Bay Invitational at Toro Park.

“I need to get stronger on the hills,” said Bolante, who edged Herrera by two seconds in a sprint at the finish. “That’s when those guys pulled away. I had to push the downhills to pass them.”

Herrera, who became the first Alisal cross country runner to dip under 15 minutes over a three-mile course on Sept. 21 at an invitational in Irvine, set a goal to break the school record at Toro Park.

“I was shooting for 15:20,” said Herrera, who was timed in 15:40. “I was a little shy. But I still broke 16 minutes. I do feel I am on pace with my constant training, that it will come the next time we are out here.”

Following a recall at the start of the race when a handful of runners tripped, Herrera didn’t get the start he was looking for on the second start, as he got stuck in a crowded field.

“I got trapped in the back,” said Herrera, who did win the Gabilan Division portion of the race. “I had to work a little harder to get out, and it cost me a little bit of energy. Other than that, I felt I did fine.”

Herrera actually led two miles into the race, before falling behind Bolante and Rey-Avila with a little more than 800 meters left in the race.

“I felt good on the hills,” said Rey-Avila, who took third in 15:48. “I was looking to win the race. I was proud of what I was able to accomplish. I just need to focus on my finish.”

With Antony Gabrik, Betinho Zunguze and Tadeo Ortiz finishing third, fourth and fifth in the Mission Division race, the Breakers were able to gain a measure of redemption in beating Carmel by a 44-53 score.

Showing off its depth in the boys Gabilan Division race for the second Center Meet, Monte Vista had four runners in the Top 12, while the Trojans distance crew labored, with no one other than Herrera finishing in the Top 12.

“We need to break up that front four of Monte Vista’s if we’re going to have a chance at a team title,” Alisal coach Steven Munoz said.

Alisal did turn to its depth to capture its second straight Gabilan Division girls Center Meet, as Yaretezi Cornelio finished second behind Hollister’s Prienna Chavez, who ran 18:52.

A state meet qualifier last year as a sophomore, Cornelio was clocked in school record 19:23, helping the Trojans secure a 36-72 win over runner-up North County.

“Today I wanted to be proud of my performance, feel strong overall and hit my times,” Cornelio said. “My goal was to stick with the top girls and not let them get too far away. I just have to give it a little more.”

All five of the Trojans finished among the first 11 spots, with Angelica Murillo finishing fifth, Alondra Rios eighth, Erika Castro 10th, and Betty Camargo 11th.

Chavez ran possessed for the Balers, jumping out early and pulling away from the pack, while Cornelio put together a strong second half of the race to climb from third to second.

The Condors closed the gap from the first Center Meet, with Valeria Pio-Pahua finishing third, dipping under 20 minutes for the first time. Teammate Victoria Rios also cracked the Top 10 in 20:18.

“The reality is this was supposed to be a rebuilding year,” North County coach Francisco Cornejo said. “The idea has been to get better. This meet was a breakthrough meet for us. Hopefully, this gives us a little momentum to finish the season strong.”

Behind Alivia Rivera’s third place finish, Marina secured a 64-82 decision over Pacific Grove in the Mission Division. The junior became the first Mariner girl to dip under 20 minutes at Toro in 19:52.

Both parties blame each other on 1st day of government shutdown as tourist sites close

By WILL WEISSERT and JOSH BOAK

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans and Democrats spent the first day of the federal government shutdown blaming each other for the dysfunction, as iconic sites representing the nation’s core identity — from the Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii — were temporarily closed.

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The Trump administration enlisted Vice President JD Vance for an appearance in the White House briefing room to argue, falsely, that Democrats refused to keep the government funded because they were trying to extend health coverage to people in the country illegally.

Top Democrats countered that they simply want to renew funding for health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act so that insurance premiums won’t spike nationwide for American families.

Neither side said it would budge, but, as the finger-pointing persisted, the economic pain became more likely to spread — potentially putting hundreds of thousands of jobs and basic services at risk.

‘We are going to have to lay people off’

Callers to the White House comment line heard a recorded message from press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating: “Democrats in Congress have shut down the federal government because they care more about funding health care for illegal immigrants than they care about serving you, the American people.” Several federal agencies posted overtly partisan messages on their websites blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

The White House underscored its argument by reviving a deepfake video posted by President Donald Trump of House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in a fake mustache and sombrero, a meme that Jeffries described as bigoted. They played it on repeat in the White House briefing room, though Vance promised that the “sombrero memes will stop” when the government reopens.

Jeffries responded with a meme of his own superimposing an image of Vance with a fat head and curly, long hair. “JD Vance thinks we will surrender to the Republican effort to gut healthcare because of a Sombrero meme. Not happening Bro,” Jeffries wrote in a post on X.

Vance said he couldn’t predict how long the shutdown might go on, but also said he didn’t believe it would be lengthy because some moderate Senate Democrats might soon vote with GOP colleagues to restore funding.

“Let’s be honest, if this thing drags on for another few days or, God forbid, another few weeks, we are going to have to lay people off,” Vance said.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said that Trump has refused to negotiate in good faith and that the claims of Democrats closing the government for immigrants in the country illegally is a lie.

“Donald Trump says it loud and clear: He is using the American people as pawns, threatening pain on the country as blackmail,” Schumer said.

Roughly 750,000 federal workers were expected to be furloughed, with some potentially fired. Many offices were being shuttered, perhaps permanently, as the Republican president vows to “do things that are irreversible” to punish Democrats.

The White House’s key policy priorities, including an aggressive deportation agenda, may continue with few disruptions. But education, environmental and other services may eventually sputter. The economic fallout could further imperil an already weakening job market, as a jobs report Wednesday by payroll processor ADP showed that private employers cut 32,000 jobs last month.

The Trump administration has also begun targeting funding projects in Democratic states.

White House budget director Russ Vought announced Wednesday a hold on roughly $18 billion in payments to build the Hudson Rail Tunnel and the Second Avenue subway line in New York City, two projects dear to Schumer. He later announced that almost $8 billion in green energy projects would be withheld for 16 states, all states represented by two Democrats in the Senate.

Mixed polling

The last government shutdown came in late 2018 and early 2019, during Trump’s first administration. It centered on a fight between both parties over funding for a wall along the Mexico-U.S. border and lasted more than 30 days. But Congress had already passed separate funding measures then that ensured that shutdown only partially affected government services, and wasn’t as widespread as this one might be.

Trump took most of the blame for the last shutdown, with an AP-NORC poll conducted during it, showing about 7 in 10 Americans said Donald Trump had “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of responsibility.

This time, about two-thirds of registered voters in a recent New York Times/Siena poll conducted before the shutdown said the Democrats should not allow the government to halt even if their demands were not met.

Still, Republicans as the party in power could also face blowback. About one-quarter of registered voters in that poll said they would blame Trump and the Republicans in Congress if a shutdown happened, while about 2 in 10 said they would place blame on congressional Democrats. About one-third said they’d blame both sides equally.

Shutdown starts taking hold

Federal courts will remain fully operational at least through Oct. 17, and potentially life-saving forecasting by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its National Weather Service haven’t been disrupted.

But tours of the Liberty Bell were scrapped, and St. Louis’ Gateway Arch and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston closed. Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii began Wednesday shuttered, though officials were working with nonprofit partners to get it reopen.

At Acadia National Park in Maine, which gets 4 million visits a year, would-be hikers in search of trail maps checked empty receptacles outside the closed visitors center. With no park rangers in sight, Jim Feather of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and his wife were unsure about trying to tackle Cadillac Mountain, with its panoramic views of the North Atlantic coast.

“It’s frustrating that they’re playing politics in D.C.,” Feather said. “Their job is to pass a budget. And if they’re not doing their job, what are they doing down there?”

Associated Press writers Lindsay Whitehurst and Darlene Superville in Washington, Jennifer Kelleher in Honolulu, Alexa St. John in Detroit and Robert F. Bukaty at Acadia National Park contributed to this report.

US takes a stake in another company, this one is operating a massive lithium mine in Nevada

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN

The U.S. government is taking a minority stake in Lithium Americas, a company that is developing one of the world’s largest lithium mines in northern Nevada.

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The Department of Energy will take a 5% equity stake in the miner, which is based in Vancouver. It will also take a 5% stake in the Thacker Pass lithium mining project, a joint venture with General Motors.

Thacker Pass is considered crucial in reducing U.S. reliance on China for lithium, a critical material used to produce the high tech batteries used in cell phones, electric vehicles and renewable energy. Both Republicans and Democrats support the project and narrowing the production gap. China is the world’s largest lithium processor.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement that the deal with Lithium Americas “helps reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries for critical minerals by strengthening domestic supply chains and ensures better stewardship of American taxpayer dollars.”

Thacker Pass is expected to produce 40,000 metric tons of battery-quality lithium carbonate per year in its first phase, enough to help power 800,000 EVs.

The equity stake in Lithium Americas is the latest example of the direct intervention by the Trump administration with private companies. The government is getting a 10% stake in Intel through the conversion of billions in previously granted government funds and pledges. The administration spent $400 million of taxpayer money in July on MP Materials stock to make the U.S government the biggest owner in the Las Vegas rare earths miner. Trump also made a deal with Nvidia and AMD to give the U.S. government a 15% cut of revenue from selling certain chips to China.

Lithium Americas said Wednesday that it reached a non-binding agreement in principle with the DOE to advance the first draw of $435 million on the federal loan. The DOE has agreed to defer $182 million of debt service over the first five years of the loan.

FILE – An “Access Restricted” sign is displayed at the Lithium Nevada Corp. mine site at Thacker Pass, April 24, 2023, near Orovada, Nev. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)FILE – Construction continues at the Lithium Nevada Corp. mine site Thacker Pass project, April 24, 2023, near Orovada, Nev. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)Show Caption1 of 2FILE – An “Access Restricted” sign is displayed at the Lithium Nevada Corp. mine site at Thacker Pass, April 24, 2023, near Orovada, Nev. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)Expand

The White House and Canada’s Lithium Americas seemed to be moving forward with the deal late last month, as both parties agreed on changes to an approximately $2.3 billion federal loan that could allow the project to move forward to extract the silver-white metal used in electric vehicle batteries. GM has pledged more than $900 million to help develop Thacker Pass, which holds enough lithium to build 1 million electric vehicles annually.

Dan Ives, an analyst with Wedbush, called Thacker Pass is a “massive opportunity” for the U.S. to reduce its reliance on China and other foreign adversaries for lithium.

“Despite having some of the largest deposits, the U.S. produced less than 1% of the global lithium supply but this deal helps reduce dependence on foreign adversaries for critical minerals strengthening domestic supply chains and ensuring better stewardship of American taxpayer dollars with lithium production set to grow exponentially over the coming years,” he wrote.

Shares of Lithium Americas spiked more than 30% Wednesday.

CSUMB ranks highly on U.S. News & World Report 2026

SEASIDE – Cal State Monterey Bay scored highly in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, released last month, with mentions in five different categories. Three degree programs also made national rankings.

U.S. News evaluates over 1,700 colleges and universities, based on a set of 17 criteria, including graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, affordability and outcomes for graduates, when determining their rankings.

CSUMB ranked second among regional universities in the West for social mobility, which measures how well schools enroll and graduate students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Social mobility is a key component of our mission and is critically important to the student population we serve, many of whom are first-generation college students from underserved communities,” said CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones in a press release.

The university also ranked seventh for top public universities and tied 11th with the University of Redlands for regional universities, which included private schools. CSUMB again tied with Redlands for best colleges for veterans, ranking eighth. U.S. News ranked CSUMB 32nd in best value schools.

The nursing, computer science and psychology degree programs made national rankings.

“We continue to place very high in these kinds of rankings,” Quiñones said in the press release. “We may be a smaller school, but we are strong.”

CSUMB was also recently included in rankings by Washington Monthly and Money magazines. The school ranked 48th in the nation on Washington Monthly’s 2025 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars list in August. Money magazine gave CSUMB 4.5 out of five stars in its Best Colleges in America ratings in July.

“These rankings reflect our values,” Quiñones said in the press release. “CSUMB students have access to excellent academic opportunities, empowering them to advance in their lives. Our commitment to lifting people up through education not only makes our Otter raft stronger, but also our region, and beyond.”