Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 156

Judge says detained Tufts student must be transferred from Louisiana to Vermont

By HOLLY RAMER, Associated Press

A federal judge on Friday ordered that a Turkish Tufts University student detained by immigration authorities in Louisiana to be brought to Vermont by May 1 for a hearing over what her lawyers say was apparent retaliation for an op-ed piece she co-wrote in the student newspaper.

U.S. District Judge William Sessions said he would hear Rumeysa Ozturk’s request to be released from detention. Her lawyers had requested that she be released immediately, or at least brought back to Vermont.

The 30-year-old doctoral student was taken by immigration officials as she walked along a street in the Boston suburb of Somerville on March 25. After being taken to New Hampshire and then Vermont, she was put on a plane the next day and moved to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Basile, Louisiana. An immigration judge denied her request for bond Wednesday.

FILE – In this image taken from security camera video, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, is detained by Department of Homeland Security agents on a street in Sommerville, Mass., March 25, 2025. (AP Photo)

Ozturk is among several people with ties to American universities whose visas were revoked or have been stopped from entering the U.S. after they were accused of attending demonstrations or publicly expressing support for Palestinians. A Louisiana immigration judge has ruled that the U.S. can deport Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil based on the federal government’s argument that he poses a national security risk.

Ozturk’s lawyers are challenging the legal authority for ICE’s detention. They asked that she be immediately released from custody, or in the alternative, be returned to Vermont while her immigration case continues.

A lawyer for the Justice Department said her case should be dismissed, saying the immigration court has jurisdiction.

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Ozturk’s lawyers first filed a petition on her behalf in Massachusetts. Initially, they didn’t know where she was. They said they were unable to speak to her until more than 24 hours after she was detained. Ozturk herself said she unsuccessfully made multiple requests to speak to a lawyer.

Ozturk was one of four students who wrote an op-ed in the campus newspaper, The Tufts Daily, last year criticizing the university’s response to student activists demanding that Tufts “acknowledge the Palestinian genocide,” disclose its investments and divest from companies with ties to Israel.

Ozturk’s lawyers say her detention violates her constitutional rights, including free speech and due process.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said last month, without providing evidence, that investigations found that Ozturk engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group.

District Attorney’s office continues prosecuting Salinas street gang

SALINAS – Four members of the self-proclaimed “Murder Squad” have been convicted and sentenced to life in prison and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office is currently prosecuting another seven members of the street gang, the office announced Thursday.

A long-term investigation known as “Operation REDRUM” revealed members of the Norteño street gang in Salinas were engaged in systematic targeting and killing of rival gang members and innocent individuals that had no gang affiliation according to the District Attorney’s Office. The targeting of civilians was referred to as “hunting.” Gang members were often accepted into the gang after hunting or committing a murder, regardless of whether the victim was a gang rival.

“These convictions reflect the strength and dedication of our state prosecution efforts in confronting violent, organized gang activity,” said District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni in a news release. “Our office has worked relentlessly to build strong cases, pursue justice for the victims, and ensure that those who terrorize our communities are held accountable.

“We will continue to lead in prosecuting violent crime and protecting the safety and well-being of Monterey County residents,” said Pacioni.

On Tuesday the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California announced Andrew Alvarado, a member of the street gang, pled guilty in federal court to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.

Alvarado, 34, was indicted with multiple co-defendants in October, 2020. According to court documents, “Murder Squad” falls under the Monterey County Regiment Enterprise affiliated with the Nuestra Familia prison gang.

During the “hunts,” the squad used military-style tactics, traveling in a convoy with a designated shooter vehicle and designated security/spotter vehicle while communicating via a conference call, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Alvarado admitted to participating in six of these hunts between January and May of 2017.

While in the shooter vehicle, members would drive up, exit, fire at victims until their magazines were empty and speed away. The security vehicle followed behind, ready to distract or intercept law enforcement to allow the shooter vehicle to escape, said the news release.

Alvarado admitted that his participation in both shooter and security vehicles resulted in the deaths of six victims and wounding of five victims.

“Each additional ‘body’ increased Alvarado’s status and prestige within the gang,” said the release. Alvarado is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15 and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and $250,000 fine for the racketeering conspiracy and 10 years plus a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to commit murder.

Pacioni’s office identified four of the convicted gang members, all from Salinas:

Fabian Alvarado was found guilty of the 2016 murder of Mario Puga on the 300 block of The Avenue in Salinas. He was sentenced on Dec. 11 2017 to 57 years to life.Sontos Fonesca was sentenced on July 24, 2020 to 152 years to life for the June 2018 murders of Lorenzo Acosta and Ernesto Garcia-Cruz.Luis Atayde was convicted for the 2017 murder of John Rodzach at the Hebbron Heights Community Center in Salinas. Atayde was sentenced to 50 years to life in March 2022.Neil Aguillon-Palermo, 23, was found guilty and sentenced on May 12, 2022 for a double attempted murder of two Salinas residents on Orchard Street in February 2017. He was sentenced to 64 years to life in prison.

The investigation was led by the Salinas Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Pacioni and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The prosecution was brought by the Violent Crime Strike Force and is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation, which focuses on identifying and dismantling highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations.

Red Dress Day in Seaside sheds light on violence against Indigenous People

SEASIDE – Bringing awareness to violence against Indigenous people, a local organization will focus on prevention, healing and remembrance, during this year’s Red Dress Day.

On May 3, the public is invited to participate in the event at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The Red Dress Day annual commemorative effort will be utilizing traditional holistic Native-Indigenous ways of mediation, reconciliation and achieving well-being, according to the host Supporting Indigenous Communities Group. The holistic program will be presented by nationally renowned teachers and counselors from the Bakersfield American Indian Health Project, according to organizers. Additional activities include a Native-Indigenous memorial ceremony, speakers, traditional storytellers, drummers, dancers, and a Red Dress Art Exhibit.

One in three Native women is sexually assaulted during her life and non-Natives perpetrate 67% of these assaults, according to the Supporting Indigenous Communities Group. An FBI report – Violence Against American Indian or Alaska Native Females, 2021-2023 – provides the most recent data about the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis. Based on 35,000 incidents of violent and sexual crimes against Native American women, the report finds that adults are most often victims of violence, while juveniles make up most victims of sexual offenses. Family members of missing and murdered Indigenous people have brought national attention to the disproportionate rates of violence against Native women and the over 5,000 currently still unsolved cases.

Carbone

“I am grateful that with this Red Dress Day event, we join nationwide and statewide efforts to increase awareness and transparency around this issue of urgent concern,” said Mary Ann Carbone, Sand City mayor and a member of the Chumash people, in a press release. “At the same time, we will celebrate the accomplishments of Indigenous women and people through our cultural traditions – the sacred drum, singers, dancers and storytellers.”

Inspired by the REDress Project in 2010 by the mixed-ancestry Métis artist Jamie Black, Red Dress Day is internationally observed as a commemorative event that honors and brings awareness to the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women. The day serves as a solemn reminder of the disproportionate violence faced by Indigenous communities and calls for justice and systemic change. The color red was chosen based on the belief that it is the only color spirits can see, serving as a powerful visual representation to call back the spirits of the lost.

Factors that contribute to the crisis, according to the Associated Press, include the hindrance of investigations due to complex legal frameworks between federal, state and tribal authorities, as well as historical and ongoing biases that affect the attention and resources allocated to Indigenous cases, and inadequate data collection and reporting mechanisms which impede understanding and response efforts, according to AP News.

In January 2023, California’s Feather Alert became effective and is a statewide emergency notification system designed to assist in locating missing Indigenous people, particularly women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by violence and disappearances. Modeled after systems like the AMBER and Silver Alerts, the Feather Alert aims to rapidly disseminate information to the public to aid in the swift recovery of missing Indigenous individuals.

The system is managed by the California Highway Patrol, which coordinates with local and tribal law enforcement agencies to issue alerts when an Indigenous person goes missing under suspicious or unexplained circumstances.

Horoscopes April 18, 2025: America Ferrera, position yourself strategically

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: America Ferrera, 41; Melissa Joan Hart, 49; Conan O’Brien, 62; Jane Leeves, 64.

Happy Birthday: Observe what you are up against and position yourself strategically. Refuse to give away your secrets or intentions, and you’ll avoid outside interference. Ties to your past will lead to emotional decisions that can stand between you and your dreams, hopes and wishes. Let go of what’s no longer useful and embrace what helps you achieve peace of mind and happiness. Take control instead of handing someone else the reins. Your numbers are 3, 10, 22, 26, 33, 41, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Position yourself for advancement. Participate in events that encourage networking, build your brand and influence others to follow your example. Lead the way to the top, using your creative imagination and protecting your rights by dealing with red-tape issues before your arrival and setting standards. Be the forerunner with survival instincts and excel. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Personal change is favored. A new look or living arrangement will boost your morale. Learning something that offers insight into what’s possible and how you can diversify your skills to accommodate today’s market will pay off. Home improvements or lifestyle changes will enhance your outlook and meaningful relationships. Romance is favored. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Emotional spending, poor investments and getting scammed are on the rise. Protect your money, possessions and reputation from underhanded bullies trying to exploit your vulnerability or innocence. Listen, learn and walk away from suspicious offers. Research and only deal with reputable companies and people. Set boundaries and know your limitations. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Advancement or an investment looks promising. Put more credence into work-related matters. Take care of responsibilities accurately and on time to avoid criticism. Make personal relationships a priority. Once you complete your work, make plans with someone you love. Sharing your intentions will bring you closer together. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Question information, offers and those with whom you engage in serious conversations. Verify whatever you hear, and when in doubt, sit tight. Establish where you want to put your time and energy, and instead of stressing over what you cannot do, stay focused on what you can. Prioritize peace and love. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Slow down. Say no to anyone offering ultimatums or trying to talk you into something you don’t need or want. Concentrate on your health and being the best you can be. Reach out and socialize with those who bring out the best in you. Steer clear of excessive people and indulgent behavior. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Stay in touch with people who lift you up. Short trips, classes and applying your energy and input to matters that can help you succeed look promising. Refuse to let emotional or financial issues get you down. Declutter and sell off what you no longer need. Misunderstandings are apparent. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pay attention to where your money goes. Refrain from overspending on entertainment or donations. Avoid impulsive actions, indecisiveness and trying to please too many people. Take control, know when to say no and give yourself time to rest, strategize and redirect your energy toward something positive. Romance is in the stars. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep tabs on your money, possessions and conversations with those close to you. Don’t make promises you can’t keep or give in to anyone using emotional blackmail to guilt you into doing things. Put your time and effort into doing what is in your best interests. Make self-improvement your goal. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay attention. The truth matters. Refuse to believe everything you hear. Question, participate in the conversation and make your voice heard. It’s a take-charge moment and a time to enforce your rights and to head in a direction that gives you the choice and freedom to live life your way. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep your finger on the pulse and your eye on where your money goes. Hit the reset button and put a budget in place that helps you save for something you want to pursue. Take part in an event or activity that can offer information or guide you toward a healthier lifestyle. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Put your emotions and ego on the sidelines. Clear your head, focus on what matters and where you can positively impact the outcome, and avoid dicey situations that can lead to personal or domestic setbacks. Question the information you receive before you implement a change. Take better care of yourself. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are innovative, sensitive and entertaining. You are outspoken and protective.

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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Best rugby ball

Which rugby ball is best?

Not to be confused with football, rugby is a great sport to watch and play, as it is popular among various countries around the world. Rugby is one of the top international sports in the world, but it is also a fun activity to play in the backyard, at the park and in other appropriate areas.

The sport requires and helps develop strength, endurance, agility, speed and stamina. It may look like an intimidating sport at first, but rugby is commonly played on a professional, semiprofessional and recreational level in schools and other leagues around the world. If you’re looking for a hand-stitched and multicolored rugby ball, the Gilbert USA Official Replica Rugby Ball is the top choice.

What to know before you buy a rugby ballPrecautionary equipment

While pads, helmets and other protective gear aren’t typically worn in rugby, it’s best to wear a mouthpiece when playing the sport. Even if you have no intention of getting physical when playing rugby, the sport can get intense, and there are instances where you could be in a pile, get tackled and more. A mouthpiece will help keep your mouth protected when playing and reduce the risk of you losing teeth if you make a high-impact collision with another player. Besides mouthpieces, though, there isn’t much protection equipment that is worn for rugby, but it could help if you wear padded compression shirts under your uniform.

Sizes

The most common sizes of a rugby ball that are used in the sport are size 3, size 4, and size 5. Size 3 is meant for kids under the age of 9 years old, and the size can be useful for beginners who are new to the sport. Size 4 is another size suitable for youth ages but in the 10- to 14-year-old range, as this size is commonly used in middle school and some high school leagues. The official size used in adult tournaments and leagues is size 5. This size is used for those 15 and over, as well as people who are experienced in the sport and want more of a professional feel.

What to look for in a quality rugby ballNatural rubber

While synthetic rubber may have better durability, natural rubber has better grip, and that is what is most important when you’re in the middle of a match. Natural rubber rugby balls can be durable as well, but with the technology available today, rugby ball brands have increasingly used synthetic rubber materials for their products.

Hand-stitched

Hand-stitched rugby balls may be more expensive, but they are worth it as the stitching is done precisely without error. Balls that are stitched by machine are more prone to imperfections and can cause the ball to not inflate as well. People also prefer hand-stitched rugby balls because more detail goes into the stitching.

How much you can expect to spend on a rugby ball

Rugby balls can range from around $15-$100. There aren’t too many factors that contribute to the price range, except that official ball replicas, signed balls, souvenirs and hand-stitched ones tend to be more in the $50-$100 range. But you can find rugby balls that can be used for tournament play and other adult matches in the $15-$50 range.

Rugby ball FAQWhat is a rugby ball made out of?

A. Traditional rugby balls consisted of leather materials on the inside (similar to a football) and used a pig’s bladder for the inside. Today, modern rugby balls have an outer shell made out of either synthetic, rubber or polyester materials. These materials provide a much better grip than leather. Modern rugby balls tend to use synthetic or latex materials for the interior and the bladder. Rugby balls were commonly hand-stitched in previous times, and certain brands still use this practice today.

Is a rugby ball bigger than a football?

A. Rugby balls are slightly shorter, being about a centimeter shorter in length than a football. Rugby balls tend to be 27 centimeters in length, and footballs are 28 centimeters. Rugby balls do weigh more than a football, though, as they weigh approximately 1 pound, and a football weighs a few ounces less. The weight differential may not sound like a lot, but you can tell the difference when playing with a football versus a rugby ball.

What’s the best rugby ball to buy?Top rugby ball

Gilbert USA Official Replica Rugby Ball

What you need to know: This officially licensed rugby ball comes in USA colors, allowing owners to represent the national team with the red, white and blue colors.

What you’ll love: The rugby ball comes in a size 5, which is the regulation size, allowing the ball to be used for practices or tournaments. The synthetic latex bladder improves air retention inside the ball, so there won’t be leaks when using the ball.

What you should consider: The ball comes deflated and doesn’t include an air pump.

Top rugby ball for the money

Gilbert Elegant Violence Rugby Ball

What you need to know: This affordable ball has a cool black skull-and-crossbones design.

What you’ll love: It’s a size 5, so it works well for practice or recreational games. The color holds up over time. It’s a solid-quality ball for the price you pay.

What you should consider: It tends to lose air when you use it, so it requires frequent reinflation.

Worth checking out

Gilbert Photon Match Rugby Ball

What you need to know: This durable size 5 ball is made for high-level training and games.

What you’ll love: The hydratec surface allows the ball to repel water. The ball’s durable materials ensure that it will hold up and perform well over time.

What you should consider: It’s a bit expensive. It also requires frequent reinflation.

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

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

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Nearly 90% of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cut as Trump’s government downsizing continues

By CHRIS MEGERIAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is drastically shrinking the workforce and mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, eviscerating an agency created after the Great Recession with the goal of protecting Americans from fraud, abuse and deceptive practices.

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The plan, which is being challenged by an employee union, is the latest step in an extraordinary reshaping of the federal government. Conservatives and businesses have often chafed at the agency’s oversight and investigations, and Elon Musk made it a top target of his Department of Government Efficiency.

Roughly 1,500 employees are slated to be cut, leaving around 200 people, according to an administration official who wasn’t authorized to disclose the figure publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Fox Business first reported the number of layoffs.

Employees started receiving layoff notices on Thursday. Their access to agency systems, including email, ends on Friday evening.

“The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau identified your position being eliminated and your employment is subject to termination in accordance with reduction-in-force (RIF) procedures,” the emails said.

The Trump administration’s plans have been the subject of a legal battle. A federal judge initially blocked what she described as “a hurried effort to dismantle and disable the agency.”

However, an appeals court said Friday that layoff notices could be sent “to employees whom defendants have determined, after a particularized assessment, to be unnecessary to the performance of defendants’ statutory duties.”

On Thursday, the National Treasury Employees Union asked a federal judge to step in by arguing that officials were violating the order.

“It is unfathomable that cutting the Bureau’s staff by 90 percent in just 24 hours, with no notice to people to prepare for that elimination, would not ‘interfere with the performance’ of its statutory duties, to say nothing of the implausibility of the defendants having made a ‘particularized assessment’ of each employee’s role in the three-and-a-half business days since the court of appeals imposed that requirement,” the union wrote.

Mark Paoletta, the chief legal officer for the agency, sent a message to employees on Wednesday describing the CFPB’s reduced mission.

“To focus on tangible harms to consumers, the Bureau will shift resources away from enforcement and supervision that can be done by the States,” he wrote.

Problems with mortgages will be the top priority, while issues involving medical debt, student loans and digital payments will receive less attention, according to Paoletta.

The change in focus could benefit Musk’s efforts to offer financial services through X, his social media company. He has long wanted to allow users to make peer-to-peer payments using his platform, and he announced in January that X would be working with Visa.

Such services will now be a lower priority for the CFPB.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat who helped create the CFPB, said in a statement that Trump was preventing the agency from doing “its job of helping Americans who get scammed by big banks and giant corporations.”

She described his plans as “yet another assault on consumers and our democracy by this lawless administration, and we will fight back with everything we’ve got.”

The CFPB was formed in 2010, two years after the financial crisis and subprime mortgage-lending scandal. Officials said that it has obtained nearly $20 billion in financial relief for U.S. consumers since its founding in the form of canceled debts, compensation and reduced loans.

49ers sign exclusive rights free agents Pleasants, Tonges

The 49ers signed two exclusive rights free agents Thursday to one-year contracts — tackle Austen Pleasants and tight end Jake Tonges.

The signings were announced on the club’s “X” account.

Pleasants, 27, was signed late last season when it became clear left tackle Trent Williams would not return. He played three games with 67 snaps at left tackle, sharing the position with Charlie Heck.

Other tackles currently on the roster are Williams, right tackle Colton McKivitz, Jalen McKenzie, Sebastian Gutierrez and Isaac Alarcon. With 11 draft picks, the 49ers are expected to take at least one tackle in the NFL Draft April 24-26.

Alarcon received a six-game suspension Wednesday for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing drugs. He is eligible to stay with the team until the season starts and his suspension begins should he make it that far.

Tonges, 25, played in all 16 games for the 49ers, primarily on special teams, where he had 232 snaps and had two tackles. A Cal product who played four games in 2023 with the Chicago Bears, Tongue played 34 snaps on offense but was not targeted with a pass.

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Aside from starter George Kittle, tight ends on the 49ers roster are free agent Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis and Mason Pline.

Exclusive rights free agents have three or fewer years of service with negotiating rights retained by the team.

 

 

White House proposes eliminating Head Start funding as part of sweeping budget cuts

By JOCELYN GECKER

The Trump administration is asking Congress to eliminate funding for Head Start, a move that would cut early education for more than half a million of the nation’s neediest children and child care for their families.

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The proposal is tucked in a 64-page internal draft budget document obtained by The Associated Press that seeks deep cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Head Start. It is still in a highly preliminary phase as the White House prepares to send Congress its budget request for the 2026 fiscal year.

It is not clear if the proposed cuts will be accepted by lawmakers. While Congress often ignores a president’s budget request, the proposed elimination of Head Start highlights the administration’s priorities as President Donald Trump seeks to overhaul education in the United States.

“The budget does not fund Head Start,” according to the draft. It says eliminating the program is consistent with the Trump administration’s “goals of returning control of education to the states and increasing parental control.”

“The federal government should not be in the business of mandating curriculum, locations, and performance standards for any form of education,” the document says.

Spokespeople for Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment.

Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has vowed to dismantle the Department of Education, has banned diversity initiatives at schools and has frozen funding at several elite universities in an attempt to force change at colleges that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism.

The Head Start program had already been hit this year by layoffs and funding lags, along with a glitch this winter that briefly locked preschool providers out of their federal accounts. The private and public schools that run Head Start classrooms are deeply reliant on federal money, and this year’s funding problems have caused some preschools to close temporarily.

Those closures cut off child care for hundreds of thousands of low-income families, for whom a day without work is often a day without pay.

The National Head Start Association said it was “deeply alarmed” by the administration’s proposal to stop funding the six-decade-old program.

“It reflects a divestment in our future,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the NHSA, in a statement Thursday. “Eliminating funding for Head Start would be catastrophic. It would be a direct attack on our nation’s most at-risk children, their well-being, and their families.”

Head Start is more than just a preschool program, Vinci said. It provides meals and health screenings and helps level the playing field for children who might otherwise fall behind before starting kindergarten. Many Head Start children are in foster care or are homeless.

FILE – Family Educator Lisa Benson-Nuyen, addresses her students in a circle in the Northern Lights classroom at the Meadow Lakes CCS Early Learning, a Head Start center, Monday, May 6, 2024, in Wasilla, Alaska. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

A lag in funding to Head Start since January has caused some Head Start preschool classrooms to close. The federal government has distributed $1.6 billion for Head Start from Jan. 1 through Tuesday, compared with $2.55 billion issued during the same period last year, according to the office of Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., which has been analyzing a federal database. Murray said the Trump administration had “slow-walked” funding appropriated by Congress.

“This administration believes we cannot afford to help families get preschool or help kids get basic health services, but we can afford trillions of dollars more in tax breaks for billionaires,” Murray said earlier this week. “It’s offensive and just plain wrong, and let me be clear: Democrats won’t let a proposal like this go anywhere in Congress.”

“But that doesn’t mean Head Start and so many other programs aren’t under grave threat — because Trump has proven he’ll ignore our laws and do whatever he can to break these programs on his own,” Murray said.

Head Start operates in all 50 states. Parents who otherwise would not be able to afford child care rely on it when they work or go to school. Supporters say that underscores the importance of Head Start to the economy and at-risk children alike.

While Head Start has enjoyed bipartisan support since its creation under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, some Republicans have emphasized its shortcomings and criticized efforts to increase funding. And Project 2025, the policy blueprint created by the conservative Heritage Foundation, called for eliminating Head Start altogether.

AP Education Writers Cheyanne Mumphrey and Moriah Balingit contributed.

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

Former Pentagon spokesman tied to online DEI purge was asked to resign, official says

By TARA COPP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot was asked to resign this week, a senior defense official told The Associated Press on Thursday, in the latest shakeup for the Defense Department following firings and other changes under President Donald Trump.

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Ullyot was one of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s initial hires for the communications office and oversaw some of its most highly visible but controversial moves, including a broad edict to the military services to strip away online images and other content considered a promotion of diversity, equity or inclusion.

That directive, given under a wide-ranging Trump administration effort to purge so-called DEI content from federal agencies, led to public outcry when images of national heroes like Jackie Robinson were briefly removed.

Ullyot’s departure is the fourth this week among Hegseth’s former inner circle. Three other senior officials were escorted from the building this week after being implicated in an ongoing investigation into information leaks: Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg; Darin Selnick, Hegseth’s deputy chief of staff; and Dan Caldwell, an aide to Hegseth.

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – MARCH 06: Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot listens as U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth answers a reporter’s question while meeting with UK Defense Secretary John Healey at the Pentagon with members of their respective teams on March 6, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Healey is meeting with Hegseth to discuss a possible peace plan for Ukraine. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

It was not immediately clear what leaks led to the departures. Caldwell and Selnick had worked with the defense secretary during his time leading the nonprofit Concerned Veterans for America.

Under Hegseth, the communications office has made significant changes to how it works with Pentagon reporters, including removing many news outlets from their longtime workspaces and not yet holding weekly briefings.

Ullyot was transferred out of the communications office in late March following the blowback from the Pentagon’s purge of Robinson and a bungled public affairs response. Also, in his emailed responses to journalists, Ullyot referred to himself as the Pentagon press secretary. But Hegseth had hired Sean Parnell to speak for him from the Pentagon’s podium.

In an emailed response to the AP on Thursday, Ullyot said he told Hegseth when he was hired he “was not interested in being number two to anyone in public affairs” and that the understanding was always that he would stay only for about two months to help get the communications office up and running. When no other suitable position was found for him, Ullyot said he decided to resign.

But a senior defense official familiar with the decision said that wasn’t the case and that Hegseth’s office had requested that Ullyot resign.

Ullyot, who shared his resignation letter with AP, disputed the official’s account, calling it “flat out false and laughable.”

Ullyot’s resignation Wednesday was not tied to the inquiry into the unauthorized disclosures. Two other U.S. officials said Carroll, Selnick and Caldwell were placed on leave in that investigation.

All three officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details that have not been made public.

The departures follow a purge of senior military officers, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown; Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti; National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command director Gen. Tim Haugh; and Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, the U.S. military representative to the NATO Military Committee.

SF Giants split series on afternoon featuring hot heads, high tempers

PHILADELPHIA — The game had ended, but there were words left to be said.

As the Giants (13-6) walked back to their clubhouse following a 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) to split a four-game series, a scrum of players and coaches found themselves engaged in a spirited conversation with home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. The back-and-forth lasted roughly two minutes. Then, both sides went their separate ways.

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On most days, this scene would’ve been abnormal. On an afternoon where Giants starter Jordan Hicks beefed with the Phillies — after allowing five runs over seven innings — and Cuzzi took exception to a perceived slight from San Francisco center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, one final kerfuffle felt strangely apropos.

“The umpire had a sensitive game,” Lee said through team interpreter Justin Han.

Cuzzi’s confrontation with the Giants derived from a misunderstanding in the top of the ninth inning. Lee took a 1-1 pitch from the Phillies’ Jose Alvarado for a strike, then adjusted his helmet. Cuzzi thought Lee was arguing the call since he saw Lee tap his helmet, which is how hitters challenged calls during spring training.

“Anybody that watches the Giants games knows that every pitch, I adjust my helmet. It’s every pitch,” Lee said. “I told him, ‘I don’t speak English.’ Umpire said something. I kept on saying, ‘I don’t speak English.’ I think that’s what happened.”

“We’re not letting them tap their heads,” crew chief and third base umpire Dan Bellino told the pool reporter after the game. “That would be arguing balls and strikes. So, it’s the same as arguing balls and strikes. I’m not saying that’s what he was doing or not. Phil was telling him, ‘Hey, you can’t tap your head right after a pitch that you disagree with because it looks as though you’re arguing balls and strikes.’ But, obviously, with the language barrier there, I don’t know if Lee really understood what he was saying. I think that was part of the miscommunication.”

When Cuzzi approached the Giants after the game, Lee reiterated that he doesn’t speak English and didn’t understand what was going on. According to Lee, Cuzzi told him that it was bad timing and left shortly after.

Why had it been bad timing? That answer lies in the previous eight innings.

In the bottom of the second, Hicks hit Trea Turner with an errant 100.9 mph sinker. Turner wasn’t happy. Turner’s teammates weren’t happy. Philadelphia’s bench had some words for Hicks, who was already a bit perturbed after allowing five runs in the first inning. Soon enough, Hicks would be even more upset.

In the fourth, Hicks fired a 100 mph sinker to the Phillies’ Alec Bohm. Cuzzi granted Bohm time right as Hicks was beginning to throw. Hicks expressed displeasure with Cuzzi granting Bohm time, and the two exchanged words before Hicks stepped back on the rubber. Hicks induced a double play on the very next pitch, but was still frustrated. So much so that third baseman Matt Chapman went to the mound to calm his pitcher.

“(Chapman) said, ‘We need you to be in this game. We need you to go deep in this game today,’ ” Hicks said. “Trying basically just to not get me tossed. I appreciate him for that because he’s good at defusing situations.”

The situation wouldn’t be defused for long. After striking out Bryson Stott to end the inning, Hicks chirped with the Phillies second baseman as he walked off the field. Hicks again had words for the Phillies upon completing the seventh, and Cuzzi stepped in to intervene.

“I was chirping with the dugout and their side, and he was trying to be in the middle of it,” Hicks said. “I don’t know. I wasn’t talking to him at all, so I didn’t want him in my face. I kind of just walked away and defused the situation. It was pretty much all game, back and forth everywhere.”

Added Chapman, who hit a two-run homer: “He’s a competitive guy. He really means well. I think Phil, sometimes, can get a little bit hot. So, it was two guys kind of clashing a little bit — both of them are a little hot headed. I’m glad nothing bad came out of it and he was able to stay in the game. We saw how huge that was for us. I love the competitive spirit, but glad things didn’t get out of hand.”

Hicks ended his day with a pedestrian line score — five earned runs and seven innings on a career-high 105 pitches — but the outing was impressive in that the right-hander provided length after throwing 33 pitches in the first inning. From the second inning onwards, Hicks channeled anger into premium gas.

Entering play, Hicks had touched triple digits on two occasions during his time with the Giants. Against the Phillies, Hicks hit at least 100 mph on 16 pitches, 13 of which were after the first inning, and topped out at 101.7 mph.

“We’d have been in a little trouble if we had to go (to the bullpen) early in the game,” said manager Bob Melvin. “His pitch count was going to potentially be a little bit higher in the first. I’m glad he got through it.”