Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 153

Harvard sues Trump administration to stop the freeze of more than $2 billion in grants

By MICHAEL CASEY and JOCELYN GECKER, Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — Harvard University announced Monday that it has filed suit to halt a federal freeze on more than $2.2 billion in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administration’s demands to limit activism on campus.

Related Articles Person found on ‘elevated surface’ inside Trump Tower in New York is arrested, police say FACT FOCUS: Examining RFK Jr.’s claims about measles, autism and diet as head of HHS Supreme Court appears likely to uphold Obamacare’s preventive care coverage mandate Student loans in default to be referred to debt collection, Education Department says Homeland Security Secretary Noem’s purse stolen at DC restaurant, officials say

In a letter to Harvard earlier this month, the Trump administration had called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university as well as changes to its admissions policies. It also demanded the university audit views of diversity on campus, and stop recognizing some student clubs.

Harvard President Alan Garber said the university would not bend to the demands. Hours later, the government froze billions of dollars in federal funding.

“The Government has not — and cannot — identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation,” said the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court.

“Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvard’s research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress,” it added.

In its lawsuit, Harvard said the funding freeze violated its First Amendment rights and the statutory provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The freeze, according to the lawsuit, was also “arbitrary and capricious and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.

The lawsuit follows one filed earlier this month by the American Association of University Professors demanding that a federal judge declare unlawful and put aside a pending review and investigation of Harvard’s funding.

The Trump administration did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment. Education Department spokesperson Madi Biedermann declined to comment on the lawsuit.

In its letter dated April 11, the administration told Harvard to impose tougher discipline on protesters and to screen international students for those who are “hostile to the American values.”

It also called for broad leadership reforms at the university, changes to admissions policies and the removal of college recognition for some student clubs. The government also demanded Harvard audit its faculty and student body to ensure wide viewpoints in every department and, if necessary, diversify by admitting additional students and hiring new faculty.

Last Monday, Harvard said it would not comply, citing the First Amendment. The following day, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, questioning whether the university should lose its tax-exempt status “if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’”

The university frames the government’s demands as a threat not only to the Ivy League school but to the autonomy that the Supreme Court has long granted American universities.

For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism. A part of that is targeting research funding which has fueled scientific breakthroughs but has become an easy source of leverage for the Trump administration.

“Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world,” Garber wrote Monday to the Harvard community.

“We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion,” he wrote. “That is how we achieve academic excellence, safeguard open inquiry and freedom of speech, and conduct pioneering research.”

Anurima Bhargava, one of the alumni who has encouraged Harvard to take a tougher stand against the administration, praised the filing of the lawsuit.

“The Trump administration continues its reckless and unlawful attack for power and control over Harvard, slashing billions in funding for scientific research and innovation that improves and saves lives,” she said. “Today, Harvard once again refused to accede to the administration’s dangerous and escalating demands.”

The American Council on Education, a nonprofit with more than 1,600 member colleges and universities, applauded Harvard.

“It has been clear for weeks that the administration’s actions violated due process and the rule of law. We applaud Harvard for taking this step and look forward to a clear and unambiguous statement by the court rebuking efforts to undermine scholarship and science,” said Ted Mitchell, the council president.

Gecker reported from San Francisco. Associated Press writer Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed.

FACT FOCUS: Examining RFK Jr.’s claims about measles, autism and diet as head of HHS

WASHINGTON (AP) — In just two months as the federal health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made sweeping changes to the Department of Health and Human Services — and its priorities.

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He’s dismissed 10,000 public health workers, met with state governors who want to restrict unhealthy foods in taxpayer-funded programs and delivered an inconsistent message on vaccines as measles outbreaks across the country have sickened hundreds. Last week, he promised to find some of the causes of rising U.S. autism rates in under six months’ time.

Kennedy’s followers — a contingent of health-conscious moms, Republicans loyal to President Donald Trump and others — have celebrated his “Make America Healthy Again” initiatives. But scientists and public health experts have expressed dismay over some of Kennedy’s statements about Americans’ diets, vaccines, measles and autism. Here’s a look at some of those claims Kennedy has made, with additional context and facts.

Autism

KENNEDY, at a news conference Wednesday: Studies show that autism rates in the U.S. were “1 in 10,000 when I was a kid” compared to a recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that found it to be 1 in 31. He says that is evidence of an autism epidemic in the U.S. and that, “we know it’s an environmental exposure. It has to be.”

THE FACTS: It’s true that in the 20th century, only 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism —- the diagnosis was rare and given only to kids with severe problems communicating or socializing and those with unusual, repetitive behaviors. But the term became shorthand for a group of milder, related conditions known as ″autism spectrum disorders,” and the number of kids labeled as having some form of autism began to balloon.

The term “epidemic” is widely used to describe surges in different health problems — like autism, obesity and gun violence, to name a few. But strictly speaking, “epidemic” is defined as a fast-spreading outbreak of disease, and there’s not good evidence that autism meets that definition.

Health officials have largely attributed growing autism numbers to better recognition of cases, through wide screening and better diagnosis. Last week, the CDC said diagnosis rate is up to 1 in 31 children.

There are no blood or biologic tests for autism; it is diagnosed by making judgments about a child’s behavior. Research has looked at a variety of other possible explanations, including genetics, the age of the father, the weight of the mother and chemicals in the environment.

Prior to his rise to health secretary, Kennedy joined anti-vaccine advocates in claiming childhood vaccines are responsible for autism, but studies by the CDC and others have ruled that out. A fraudulent single study that claimed a link between the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was later retracted by the journal that published it.

Kennedy recently announced a major study into the cause of autism and told an April 10 Cabinet meeting: “By September we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we’ll be able to eliminate those exposures.” But last week, he softened that to having ”some of the answers by September.”

— Mike Stobbe and Devi Shastri

Vaccines

KENNEDY, in interview with Sean Hannity that aired on Fox News on March 11: “There are adverse events from the vaccine. It does cause deaths every year. It causes — it causes all the illnesses that measles itself causes, encephalitis and blindness, et cetera. And so people ought to be able to make that choice for themselves.”

THE FACTS: The measles vaccine is safe and its risks are lower than the risks of complications from measles. There have been no documented deaths from the MMR vaccine in healthy, non-immunocompromised people, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Most people who get the MMR vaccine have no serious problems from it, the CDC says. The most common side effects are mild: a sore arm, fever, mild rash and temporary joint pain or stiffness in teenage or adult women who don’t already have rubella immunity. There is a very small risk of febrile seizures that increases as infants get older, which is why the shot is recommended as early as possible.

Some people can have allergic reactions; people allergic to the antibiotic neomycin should not get the shot, according to the CDC.

— Devi Shastri

KENNEDY, in an April interview with CBS: “We’re always going to have measles, no matter what happens, as the (MMR) vaccine wanes very quickly.”

THE FACTS: The measles vaccine is highly protective and lasts a lifetime for most people. Two doses of the vaccine are 97% effective against the virus, according to the CDC and medical experts worldwide. Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, the U.S. saw some 3 million to 4 million cases per year. Now, it’s usually fewer than 200 in a normal year.

Usually, most measles cases come to the U.S. from abroad. This is why high vaccination rates are important. When 95% or more people are vaccinated, entire communities are considered protected from the virus, which is important for people who are too young or who cannot get the vaccine due to health issues.

— Devi Shastri

Measles

KENNEDY, in a CBS interview posted April 9, discussing death of 8-year-old child in Texas who had measles: “The thing that killed (her) was not the measles, but it was a bacteriological infection.”

THE FACTS: Two children in Texas have died — both from measles complications, according to the Texas State Department of Health and Human Services. The state health department has made clear that the children were not vaccinated and had no underlying conditions. Doctors at University Medical Center in Lubbock who treated the 8-year-old said she died of “measles pulmonary failure.”

Claiming that patients die of complications and not the actual disease that led to them is a tactic that anti-vaccine advocates have used to undermine Texas health experts since the first child died of measles in March — and in other outbreaks before that. It’s also a talking point that Kennedy, who spent 20 years as one of the world’s leading anti-vaccine activists, continues to amplify.

Measles complications can include pneumonia, brain swelling and other respiratory or neurological complications, which can lead to death in 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who are infected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

—-Devi Shastri

KENNEDY, in April 6 in an X post, said two Texas doctors “have treated and healed some 300 measles-stricken Mennonite children using aerosolized budesonide and clarithromycin.”

THE FACTS: Pediatricians note there is no cure for measles: It is a virus that the body has to fight off on its own. The best way to protect against the risks of measles is to get vaccinated to lower the chance of contracting it.

Budesonide is a steroid used in different forms to treat asthma, ulcerative colitis and other conditions. Clarithromycin is an antibiotic; it fights bacteria, not viruses. Neither drug is recommended for treating measles — the use is “risky and unproven” — the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

“There are no miracle cures for measles,” Dr. Sean O’Leary, who chairs the academy’s Committee on Infectious Diseases, recently said in a fact check on the organization’s website. “If your child becomes sick with measles, doctors will do everything we can to care for them, but the truth is we do not have effective treatments against this viral infection.”

—-Devi Shastri

Nutrition and obesity

KENNEDY, at an April 15 event in Indianapolis, said 70% of Americans are obese or overweight, compared to 3% of Americans during President John F. Kennedy’s tenure in the early 1960s.

THE FACTS: Nearly three-quarters of Americans are overweight, including about 40% with obesity, according to recent figures from the CDC. Between 1960 and 1962, about 13% of people in the U.S. had obesity, according to historic CDC data.

The rise in obesity in the U.S. and other developed countries in recent decades has been well-documented and studied. Experts say there is no single explanation for the increase, but that it stems from a combination of factors, including biological and environmental contributors, an increase in available calories and a decline in physical activity. Changes in the food supply, including the development of high-calorie, cheap ultraprocessed foods have been linked to obesity, but exactly how these foods affect weight gain remains unclear.

KENNEDY at April 10 cabinet meeting regarding food dyes: “We’ve shown now that this directly affects academic performance, violence in the schools, and mental health, as well as physical health.”

THE FACTS: Recent research shows synthetic food colors common in U.S. foods are linked to neurobehavioral problems in children and that the dyes may cause or exacerbate symptoms, particularly hyperactivity. In addition, children may vary widely in their sensitivity to the dyes.

“It is clear that some children are likely to be more adversely affected by food dyes than others,” researchers in California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment reported in 2021.

Those responses have the potential to affect school work and behaviors such as aggression, but to date there is no clear evidence of a direct relationship between food dyes and academic performance, violence or other mental and physical conditions, scientists say.

To date, scientific evidence shows that “most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives,” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the dyes.

KENNEDY on March 28 during a speech in West Virginia to encourage restrictions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: “Twenty years ago, there was no diabetes in China. Today 50% of the population is diabetic.”

THE FACTS: Diabetes prevalence has gone up in China over the past two decades, driven by rising living standards, urbanization and an aging population. About 6.1% of the population had diabetes in 2001-2002, according to a 2005 analysis.

But that has only grown to to 12.4%, according to latest data included in a Lancet report in 2024.

— JoNel Aleccia

AP reporter Amanda Seitz in Washington contributed to this report.

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

FORTAG continues to take shape through Del Rey Oaks

DEL REY OAKS – The Canyon Del Rey segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project through Del Rey Oaks continues to take shape with work in one of the city’s park areas and various streets.

The 1.5-mile Canyon Del Rey segment is the first phase of the FORTAG project and runs from the intersection of North Fremont and Canyon Del Rey boulevards in Del Rey Oaks through Work Memorial and Del Rey parks, under Highway 218 — via a new roadway bridge constructed to carry vehicles using the highway — and into the corner of the Frog Pond Wetland Preserve, back up to Highway 218 at Carlton Drive and on to Plumas Avenue, where it ends at Del Rey Woods Elementary School in Seaside.

This week, FORTAG construction will see continued forming, installing rebar, pouring concrete, removing forms and backfilling for retaining walls and drainage systems in the Work Memorial Park area in Del Rey Oaks, continued grading, forming, installing rebar and pouring concrete for sidewalks, ramps and valley gutters along Plumas Avenue between Noche Buena and Highland streets in Seaside. There will also be continued grading, forming, installing rebar, pouring concrete, removing forms and backfilling for sidewalks, curbs and gutters, ramps and retaining curbs along Carlton Drive, continued drainage system improvements along Work Avenue between Saucito Avenue and Carlton Drive, and continued clearing and rough grading in the Frog Pond area.

Access to Work Memorial Park, the Butterfly Garden and tennis courts will be restricted during construction. The Frog Pond Wetland Preserve is closed for the remainder of stage one construction and is expected to reopen in October. Work Avenue between Saucito Avenue and Carlton Drive, including the island, will be closed through August.

Construction of the Canyon Del Rey Segment of the FORTAG project is being done in phases and different areas of the project will be affected at different times. As the project moves forward, residents and businesses will be provided additional notifications in advance of bridge foundation work (pile driving) and work that restricts driveway access. Construction is expected to last through August 2026.

Work hours are 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. The contractor’s plan is to limit the majority of work from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. When needed, night work hours are from 9 p.m. – 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, unless authorized for specific operations with advance notice.

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County, the lead agency on the project, is working with Caltrans District 5, the cities of Del Rey Oaks and Seaside and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District to complete the Canyon Del Rey segment of the FORTAG project.

The Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway is proposed as an approximately 28-mile continuous 12-foot-wide paved bicycle and pedestrian trail with an open-space buffer on both sides. FORTAG will connect to the existing Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail and will provide connections to unpaved trails in the Fort Ord National Monument.

The northern loop of FORTAG encircles Marina, following a 13-mile route that includes 3 miles of the existing Coastal Rec Trail. The southern loop of FORTAG encircles Seaside and bisects Del Rey Oaks, following a 15-mile route that includes four miles of the existing coastal trail system.

The route includes spurs connecting with existing and planned bike/pedestrian infrastructure.

Several sections of the paved trail will link to nearby unpaved trails.

For information about the FORTAG project or to sign up for updates, visit https://www.tamcmonterey.org/fort-ord-regional-trail-greenway-canyon-del-rey or email 79829@publicinput.com.

Horoscopes April 21, 2025: Andie MacDowell, participate with kindness, not anger

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Tony Romo, 45; Rob Riggle, 55; Andie MacDowell, 67; Iggy Pop, 78.

Happy Birthday: Participate with kindness, not anger. Only change what’s necessary, and hold on to what’s meaningful. Trust your instincts and work privately on self-improvement and positively impacting those you encounter. Be the one to start a movement and make a difference. Let go of insecurities and replace them with strength, courage and willpower; much can and will be accomplished. Put your energy to good use. Your numbers are 4, 16, 21, 25, 34, 42, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep an open mind, and your ideas will flow and prospects flourish. Cold calls and positioning yourself for success will broaden your scope and encourage you to find new outlets for your skills. A change in how you earn and handle your money looks promising. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Uncertainty is the enemy. When in doubt, ask questions, research and look for a way to revise issues to suit your needs. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, so don’t give up or give in; follow your heart and make things happen. A change of attitude will broaden your perception. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Listen carefully; the information you receive will reveal what’s possible and what isn’t. Go directly to the source when something appears questionable. It’s up to you to get your information straight before making decisions that affect your next move. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and do things differently. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Say no to excess and yes to a healthy lifestyle. Learn from your mistakes, and consider what’s important to you. Brainstorm and discover a unique way to use your talents. Finding your niche in a fast-paced world requires ingenuity. Don’t be afraid to try something new. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Push forward with thought, planning and curiosity. It’s never too late to change, upgrade or expand your circle of friends. Your thirst for knowledge will lead to serious considerations and adventure. Live in the moment, reach for the stars and choose simplicity over excess, and see what transpires. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): It’s up to you to bring about change. Dig in; discipline and determination will help you reach your goal and leave a lasting impression on those you encounter. Opportunity knocks, but take nothing for granted or let others decide for you. Engage and control the outcome. Self-improvement is favored. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Shake things up and see what happens. Your ability to move mountains with your charm, connections and shows of appreciation will contribute to your success. Speak up and share your innovative ideas, and the input you receive will fortify your chance to show off your skills, insight and eligibility to succeed. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put emotions aside and focus on self-improvement and changes that make your life less chaotic. Network or take on a project or activity that challenges you to look and feel your best. Walk away from people and situations you have no control over, and concentrate on what’s in your best interest. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Think before you spend, and you’ll avoid falling short. Generosity won’t buy you what you want. Take better care of your home and physical well-being, and forego taking on more than you can handle. You’ll make the best impression if you finish what you start and live up to your promises. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Establish your position and what you want to achieve, and you will open communication with people who can offer insight into what you can and cannot do to achieve your goal. Knowledge and making key connections to those in a position to help will get you where you want to go. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Channel your energy wisely. The temptation to squander your time or cash will leave you at a loss. Consider how you can accomplish the most and situate yourself accordingly. Emotions will surface, leading to heated discussions if you aren’t careful. A practical attitude and concentrating on your goal will pay off. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Work alone. Letting others interrupt or talk you into unnecessary spending and add-ons will complicate your goals. Changing your surroundings will offer inspiration. Working at a cafe or library or improving your space will help you be more productive. Put personal and health care first. Please don’t overdo it or take a risk. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are instinctual, proactive and dedicated. You are resourceful and expressive.

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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Warriors’ defense stifles No. 2 seed Rockets in NBA playoff-opening win

Steve Kerr’s simple gameplan boils down to one point of faith.

“If it’s a halfcourt game, I really think our defense can get it done this series,” the Warriors coach said Sunday night.

The Warriors backed up Kerr’s well-earned confidence by holding the higher-seeded, homecourt Houston Rockets to their lowest scoring output of the season in a 95-85 win in Game 1 of what is shaping up to be a bruising first-round Western Conference playoff matchup.

The Rockets’ rebounding edge allowed them to take 11 more shots and they still couldn’t match the Warriors’ scoring output, thanks to a Golden State defense that held them to 39.1% shooting from the field and only six 3-pointers on 29 attempts (20.7%).

“I think, overall, we just flew around,” said Draymond Green, named one of three finalists for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award earlier in the day. “We didn’t give up any easy looks. We followed our defensive gameplan. Just make them take tough shots.”

The Rockets’ aggressive, often literally hands-on approach to guarding Stephen Curry garnered attention after they held him to 3 points in their final regular season meeting, but it was the Warriors’ physicality that caught Houston coach Ime Udoka’s attention.

With it being the first postseason game for Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson and many others on the Rockets’ young roster, Udoka said he didn’t believe “the moment” got to them “but I would say (the Warriors’) physicality at times, just going after guys.”

Segun was the only Rocket in double figures until midway through the fourth quarter and finished with 26 points — the only Houston player with more than 11 — but even he acknowledged afterward that, “I think we were ready … I will say, I think we were nervous a little bit.”

Green, who averaged 21.0 points per game during the regular season, was held to 7 on 3-of-15 shooting, while playoff veteran Fred VanVleet went 4-of-19 from the field and 2-of-13 from distance. Jabari Smith Jr., who scored 11 points off the bench, said it wasn’t just a poor shooting night.

“Our spacing was a little thrown off tonight,” he said. “They were crowding the paint a lot on us. We’ve just got to figure out ways to counteract that. They were packing the paint, trapping Jalen (and) Fred, kind of funneling everything. They were trying to make us make the extra pass and we weren’t making it tonight.”

The Rockets ranked in the bottom third of the NBA in 3-point attempts in the regular season, and Kerr joked that it “felt like 1997 out there” with their physical, inside-the-arc style of play. They averaged 113.4 points per game, 13th-most in the NBA, but earned the No. 2 seed with their defense.

“They rough you up, they grab, they hold,” Green said. “They’re an extremely physical team and you have to give them credit.”

The Rockets’ defense ranked seventh in the NBA over 82 games. The Warriors’ has been the best since Jimmy Butler III arrived.

Green was asked if the win was any more satisfying given the circumstances.

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“We just want to win the game,” he said. “We understand that in order to win, you have to defend at a high level. They’re the No. 2 seed because they defend at a very high level. … But overall, Steph Curry usually finds a way.”

Curry finished with 31 points, Butler added 25 and the Warriors now hold homecourt advantage.

They knew the Rockets were going to get their offensive rebounds — and they did: 22 of them — but they could minimize their possession advantage by playing clean basketball. Houston outrebounded the Warriors by 16, took 11 more attempts from the field and six extra shots from the foul line but also turned the ball over 16 times to the Warriors’ 11.

“Our defense is big time, and we’re going to count on that,” Kerr said. “We need to recognize that we don’t need to take chances in this series. We need to be clean in our execution and transition. We don’t need to dribble through traffic. We don’t need to throw lob passes to try to get a dunk. We’ve got to be rock solid.”

Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler hold off scrappy Rockets as Warriors win Game 1

HOUSTON – In the week leading up to Sunday’s first-round series opener between the seventh seeded Warriors and host No.2 seed Houston, much was made about how the Rockets had held Steph Curry to just three points on 1-of-10 shooting in their April 6 matchup.

Had the uber-athletic Rockets figured out the game’s greatest shooter? The answer ended up being a resounding “no” in Golden State’s tight 95-85 Western Conference victory that ripped home court advantage away from Houston.

When hounded by Amen Thompson and the same Houston wings who had vexed him at Chase Center, Curry schooled the young Rockets in the rematch en route to 31 points.

He burned defenders on back-cuts, sank soft floaters over their bigs and nailed five high-arcing 3-pointers, including a jaw-dropping fadeaway from the corner midway through the third quarter. 

“I started getting to the basket, taking on their pressure and taking it on from there,” Curry said after his 59th game scoring at least 30 in the postseason. “Obviously made some tough ones from the outside.”

But not even Curry at his incendiary best was enough to pull away from the Rockets, at least right away. 

It took a late surge by Jimmy Butler, who scored seven of his 25 points in the final two minutes, to clinch the win that helped the Warriors improve to 22-5 in Game 1s in the Steve Kerr era. . 

“I love the organized chaos, because nobody knows what to expect, not even myself, not even coach,” Butler said about playing with Curry.

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) dunks during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The Rockets played tight man-to-man defense on the Warriors’ star scorers, and had bigs Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams park themselves in the paint while daring Golden State’s corner shooter to make them pay.

The Warriors struggled to generate offense early, falling behind 19-12 before Curry began to find cracks in the Rockets’ defense. He made two layups late in the quarter to help Golden State pull to 21-18 after one period.

The teams battled it out in the second quarter as well, but Curry made two late 3-pointers and Butler canned a tough basket over Sengun to key a 9-0 half-ending run to put the Warriors up 47-34 at halftime.

Golden State led by as much as 23 midway through the third quarter, but Houston did not go quietly into the Texas night. A 7-0 run highlighted by a drifting Alperen Sengun triple against an expiring shot clock kept Houston in the game. 

Curry ended the run with a pull-up midrange jumper, but the Rockets continued to cut into the lead thanks to several big offensive rebounds by Steven Adams. 

Houston grabbed 22 offensive rebounds to Golden State’s six, with those second and third chances keeping the home team in the game. The Warriors’ once-formidable lead was cut to 69-60 at the end of the third quarter. 

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a lay up against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Curry pushed the lead back to 72-62 with another deep 3-pointer early in the fourth. After Houston answered and cut the lead to just four, Gary Payton II knifed inside for two layups to give Golden State breathing room with eight minutes remaining. 

Houston answered right back with a Jabari Smith Jr. triple. Houston cut the lead all the way down to 76-73 when Thompson made a midrange shot over Curry. 

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But the Warriors went on an 8-2 run to go up 84-75 and retake some level of control with 3:23 left. 

Butler and Curry closed things out from there in a game that was just as gritty as the last showdown between the teams. 

Golden State won the regular-season series 3-2, but the Rockets smothered Curry and the Warriors 106-96 in the last matchup of the season. 

Sunday’s game had a markedly different outcome as Kerr won his 100th playoff game as Warriors head coach. 

The teams will play Game 2 on Wednesday night.

Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by Fred VanVleet #5 of the Houston Rockets during the third quarter in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors walks off the court following the 95-85 win against the Houston Rockets in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

 

 

Warriors’ Draymond Green among three finalists for NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year

HOUSTON – Warriors big man Draymond Green is a finalist for the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year award.

The NBA announced Sunday before the Warriors’ series opener against the Rockets that Green was in the running for the award alongside Cleveland’s Evan Mobley and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels.

Green, 35, averaged 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in the regular season. He was named the Western Conference’s Defensive Player of the Month for March.

During Green’s strong play in March, Warriors coach Steve Kerr compared Green to two of his former Chicago Bulls teammates during the 1990s.

“You can see the parallels, the length, the physicality, and ultimately it’s up here, it’s the brain, and Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen were the two smartest defenders I’ve ever been around, and Draymond is amazing in that regard,” Kerr said.

The versatile big man is an eight-time All-Defensive team selection and won the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year award.

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He has long been viewed as a top defensive player for his ability to guard both on the perimeter and near the rim. This season he has taken on more minutes as a center, eventually taking over the starting role in the middle as the Warriors have struggled to find solutions at the spot.

Green has publicly politicked for the award in recent months in press conferences and interviews and via his own platform on his podcast.

“When I look around the league, I don’t see many players impacting the game on the defensive end the way I do, Green said. “I don’t see many players completely throwing off other teams’ offenses the way I do.”

SF Giants end road trip with whimper as Walker blows save against Angels

The fate of the Giants’ season wasn’t going to be determined by how they performed on this 10-game road trip against the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Angels. A lot of ball still remains. But the cross-country swing did serve as an early litmus test, one that tasked them with facing two of baseball’s best teams.

For all their excellent play in New York and Philadelphia, the trip ended with a whimper.

Closer Ryan Walker inherited a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning but blew the save, allowing four runs as San Francisco lost to Los Angeles, 5-4, on Easter Sunday at Angel Stadium, forcing the Giants to settle for a 5-5 road trip.

“You’re going to have some bad days. Unfortunately, it happened today,” manager Bob Melvin told reporters in Anaheim.

Walker, who converted all five of his saves entering play after going 10-for-10 on save chances last season, stepped on the mound with a comfortable 4-1 lead. But it was quickly apparent Walker didn’t have his typical command. He walked Mike Trout to begin his outing on a payoff sinker that appeared to clip the zone but was called a ball by home plate umpire Laz Diaz. Then ex-Giant Jorge Soler singled, bringing the tying run to the plate.

Logan O’Hoppe singled to load the bases, then Walker drilled Zach Neto to gift the Angels a run and shrink the lead to 4-2.

Jo Adell then played the hero, pulling Walker’s 1-2 sinker to left field, and the Angels began to fly. Soler scored easily. Kevin Newman, pinch-running for O’Hoppe, did as well. Third base coach Eric Young Sr. waved home Neto, who scored the game-winning run with a headfirst slide that barely beat San Francisco’s relay. The Giants challenged the call, but it was upheld.

Walker’s blown save cost Justin Verlander his first win with the Giants after the 42-year-old turned in a vintage outing, allowing one earned run over six innings with six strikeouts. Five starts into his tenure with San Francisco, Verlander remains stuck on 262 career wins.

“I feel like I’ve been trending in the right direction,” Verlander told reporters in Anaheim. “It was nice to give us a better chance to win today.”

Verlander entered play with a 6.75 ERA, the worst mark in the starting rotation, but retired the first nine batters he faced before allowing a leadoff double to Taylor Ward to start the fourth. The right-hander only needed 31 pitches to complete the first three innings but labored through a 33-pitch fourth inning, managing to put another zero on the board despite the Angels loading the bases.

“It’s one of those situations where (Angels starter) Yusei (Kikuchi) was pitching well,” Verlander said of getting out of the jam. “You got the bases loaded, and even though it’s the fourth inning, you kind of know the game’s on the line right there. So, it felt great.”

The Giants scored the game’s first run in the top of the fifth when Willy Adames drove in Heliot Ramos with a single, but the Angels got that run right back when Neto homered on Verlander’s first pitch in the bottom of the fifth.

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San Francisco retook the lead in the sixth on catcher Sam Huff’s first homer with his new team, a two-run shot that gave the Giants a 3-1 lead. Adames added an insurance run in the seventh with another RBI single to extend the lead to 4-1.

That three-run lead appeared to be enough, especially after Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers pitched scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, respectively. Ultimately, it was not.

The Giants will now return for what will be an emotional two-series homestand. They’ll begin with the Milwaukee Brewers, the team that Adames played for from 2021-24 before signing a franchise-record seven-year, $182 million deal with the orange and black. On Saturday, with Bruce Bochy’s Texas Rangers in town, the Giants will celebrate the career of Brandon Crawford, who announced his retirement this offseason.

A California environmental law makes it ‘too damn hard’ to build. But do Democrats have the will to reform it?

OAKLAND — For years, this lot just south of the West Oakland BART station has sat vacant, surrounded by RVs and broken-down vehicles.

This was supposed to be housing — a 222-unit tower with 16 apartments set aside for low-income renters. But soon after Oakland’s planning commission signed off on the project, the decision was appealed. A coalition of trade unions, using the California Environmental Quality Act, demanded that the developer conduct more studies to assess the soil’s contamination levels — a process that could hold up construction for months.

The developer, Scott Cooper, said the unions offered to drop the appeal — if he agreed to use more expensive union subcontractors. He declined.

The appeal proceeded. Ten months later, Cooper finally won — but in that time, interest rates spiked, making the project financially unappealing.

“They killed it,” Cooper said. “Right now, the project should be complete.”

The California Environmental Quality Act, better known as CEQA, passed in 1970. It was meant to require governments to study any environmental harm a development might cause and take steps to lessen it. But over time, critics say, the law has become a powerful tool for obstruction, letting almost anyone file lawsuits or appeals that can hinder construction of critical public infrastructure and housing — including projects that would help advance the state’s environmental goals.

Each year, 200 CEQA lawsuits are filed in California. Most of these target housing. That total doesn’t include cases that don’t make it to court, like the West Oakland tower. They can still delay a project with lengthy studies and additional government approvals.

In recent years, legislators have poked holes in CEQA, adding exemptions for certain types of affordable housing. But this year, lawmakers are proposing the most sweeping reforms yet.

A bill by Oakland Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, AB 609, would exempt most housing built in existing neighborhoods from required environmental reviews. Another, SB 607, proposed by San Francisco Democrat Scott Wiener, would raise the famously low bar for those looking to challenge such environmental reviews.

“It’s been politically fraught to engage on CEQA in a really meaningful way, because there’s been interest groups that like to keep it exactly the way it is,” Wicks said. “The result of the status quo is that it is too damn hard to build anything in California.”

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Wicks and Wiener see an opening where they didn’t before.

Democrats view the November election as a wake-up call. Some within the party say its focus on process and coalition-building has come at the expense of meaningful action, especially on housing, for which the state is 2 million units short.

“We have to show that Democrats can get things done,” Wiener said.

But to overhaul CEQA, Democrats may risk crossing some of the core members of their coalition — groups like trade unions and environmentalists that have been stalwart defenders of the law.

“People say, ‘Nothing gets built,’” said Jennifer Ganetta, legal director for Communities for a Better Environment, one of the many environmental groups that has lined up to oppose the bills. “But what about the projects that are built, and they’re better because we had CEQA?”

Trade unions are especially resistant to reform — they often use CEQA as a cudgel to extract concessions from developers. As a result of their intervention, nearly every CEQA exemption bill passed so far has come with a major provision: to get the exemption, a developer must hire union-affiliated workers, or pay their laborers higher wages and provide health benefits.

Developers say that increases their costs significantly. Few have taken advantage of the exemptions, a report by the pro-housing group YIMBY Law found.

For Cooper’s project in West Oakland, using union labor would have increased building costs by around $10 million. “If we’re in a housing crisis, shouldn’t we want to build as much housing as possible for as cheap as possible?” he asked.

But solving the housing crisis shouldn’t come at the expense of workers, the trades argue.

“We’ve made projects better because of our members exercising the laws as they were designed,” said John Dalrymple, a representative for a coalition of Bay Area trade unions. “None of these projects were stopped because of our interventions.”

Wicks’ bill may be heading for a showdown in Sacramento with the unions as early as this week: Unlike previous CEQA reform bills, hers does not currently include a prevailing wage provision.

The trades are likely to negotiate for one, and their significant influence in the Legislature suggests they’ll get it.

During the last two election cycles, the State Building and Construction Trades Council and its affiliated unions donated over $24 million to lawmakers in the two chambers. In the last election cycle, the trade unions’ political action committees donated $8 million to California legislative candidates — more than any other groups, including Uber, the oil and gas companies and law enforcement unions.

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But certain factors have aligned this year that could undermine the union’s power. The Legislature saw enormous turnover, welcoming more new members than at any time in the last 10 years. Wicks has also ascended in rank — this year, she was appointed chair of the powerful Assembly Appropriations Committee — the place where legislators decide if a bill lives or dies.

Wicks is relatively independent from the trades, compared to some of her Democratic peers. The associated unions donated just 8% of her total campaign chest in the last two election cycles, whereas they made up 25% of donations to other Bay Area lawmakers, including newly elected Sen. Jesse Arreguín of Berkeley and Assemblymember Liz Ortega of Hayward.

The State Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents hundreds of thousands of construction workers, declined to state a position on Wicks’ or Wiener’s bills. The Nor Cal Carpenters Union did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

For now, lawmakers are working to ensure the trade unions don’t feel isolated. When asked whether he worries the trades could block his CEQA bill, Wiener said they’re “major stakeholders” who will continue to “have a seat at the table.”

Beyond the trades, Wiener and Wicks are also meeting resistance from advocates for the environment and local control, who say that the proposed reforms would give community groups fewer opportunities to raise concerns about a project and result in less transparent environmental review.

“CEQA has lots of things that keep it from being too burdensome,” said Stuart Flashman, who has brought several CEQA lawsuits on behalf of environmental groups.

The result of the interest groups’ intervention may be another CEQA exemption bill that Democrats weigh down with provisions to appease all of them.

Robert Selna, a land use attorney who represents developers in environmental cases, worries that won’t be enough to spur more housing.

“You can do everything you want around the edges of CEQA,” Selna said. “But CEQA reform is necessary in order to solve the housing crisis.”

Warriors stay on message to open playoff series vs. Rockets, NorCal native named award finalist

HOUSTON – The Warriors have heard all about the Houston Rockets’ plan to make their first-round Western Conference playoff series a physical grind. 

The Rockets have made no secret that they intend to make Golden State fight for every dribble and inch of space during a best-of-seven matchup that begins in Texas on Easter Sunday. 

Golden State (48-34) is the No. 7 seed, while Houston (52-30) is the No. 2 seed and beat the Warriors three out of the five times they met during the regular season. 

With known Warriors foils such as Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet on the other side, Golden State’s veterans have repeatedly said that maintaining a level head is a key to success in the series. 

“It’s money time and it’s the playoffs, so you have to lock in,” Gary Payton II said. “We have a lot of guys that have been in these situations with the playoffs, so we need to follow their lead, stay composed and not get too hyped up.”

Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney were part of the dynastic Warriors teams that beat Houston in four playoff series between 2015 and 2019. 

While Payton was not around for those storied series, he still has a tested strategy for maintaining his cool if heated moments arise during the series. 

“Smile, just smile and be grateful for these types of moments,” Payton II said. “Have fun with them, and at the end of the day, it’s just basketball, but it’s meaningful basketball, so that’s the best part about it.”

The Warriors stressed the importance of hitting the glass, since Houston led the league in both total rebounds (48.5 per game) and offensive boards (14.6).

Much of that can be credited to having the 6-foot-11 twin-tower lineup of Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams under the rim, along with 6-foot-7 freak athlete Amen Thompson from Oakland, who is capable of flying above the pack.

Moses Moody said that the Warriors’ perimeter players – not just bigs Green, Looney and Quinten Post – will need to put in work on the glass for the Warriors to be effective. 

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“It’s going to be aggressive, but it’s the playoffs, so you just have to play hard and put it all on the line,” Moody said. 

Fortunately for Golden State, the Rockets are far from an offensive juggernaut. 

While Houston led the league in shots attempted per game at 93.4, it was 21st in overall field goal percentage, 21st in 3-point shooting accuracy and last at the free throw line at just 73.8%.

If the Warriors do not turn the ball over and rebound well, that would eliminate many of the easy looks Houston relies on to keep its attack afloat. 

“They play with a lot of pressure, so like (Payton) said, hit the singles and don’t try to hit home runs,” Moody said. “Don’t try to win the game in one play, and just take it possession by possession.” 

Former Bay Area star in running for Rookie of the Year 

NorCal native and former Sonoma State star Jaylen Wells was listed as a finalist for the prestigious award on Sunday evening. 

The Grizzlies’ versatile 6-foot-8 defensive wing played in 79 games and averaged 10.4 points per game as the team’s top perimeter stopper. 

Wells went to Folsom High near Sacramento, and was named the Sacramento Bee’s 2021 high school Player of the Year. 

He played two seasons at Sonoma State – a program that played its last season in 2025 after the school cut all athletic programs – before transferring to Washington State as a junior. 

Before playing in the Rising Stars game at Chase Center, Wells reflected on returning to the Bay Area. 

“This means everything,” Wells said. “It’s a full-circle moment being so close to Sonoma State, being around family and being so close to home.

“… My agent was telling me that a year and a half ago, I was playing against Cal Poly Pomona, and no offense to them, but now I’m playing against Luka Dončić. It kind of puts everything in perspective.”