Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 172

Social Security’s acting leader faces calls to resign over decision to cut Maine contracts

By FATIMA HUSSEIN and PATRICK WHITTLE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner is facing calls to resign after he issued an order — which was quickly rescinded — that would have required Maine parents to register their newborns for Social Security numbers at a federal office rather than the hospital.

Newly unearthed emails show that the March 5 decision was made as political payback to Maine’s Governor Janet Mills, who has defied the Trump administration’s push to deny federal funding to the state over transgender athletes.

In the email addressed to the agency’s staff, acting commissioner Leland Dudek, said, “no money will go from the public trust to a petulant child.” Staff members warned that terminating the contracts would result in improper payments and the potential for identity theft.

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Dudek’s order initially drew widespread condemnation from medical organizations and public officials, who described it as unnecessary and punitive. The practice of allowing parents to register a newborn for a Social Security number at a hospital or other birthing site, called the Enumeration at Birth program, has been common for decades.

Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree, one of two House members from Maine, said Dudek should resign immediately. She characterized Dudek’s actions as retaliation for Mills publicly opposing President Donald Trump.

“If a federal agency can be turned into a political hit squad at the whim of an acting appointee, what checks remain on executive power? Commissioner Dudek’s vindictive actions against Maine represent a fundamental betrayal of public trust that disqualifies him from public service,” Pingree said.

Mills said Wednesday that Social Security is being subjected to “rushed and reckless cuts” and needs leadership that treats it like a public trust. She said that is especially important in Maine, which has a high number of recipients.

“Social Security is not a scheme, as some have said, it’s a covenant between our government and its people. The Social Security Administration’s leadership must act in a manner that reflects this solemn obligation,” Mills said.

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter to Dudek on Tuesday, calling for his immediate resignation and a request that he sit for an interview with the committee.

“The American people deserve answers about your activities and communications in the time between President Trump’s February 21, 2025, public threat to Governor Mills and your February 27, 2025, order to cancel the enumeration at birth and electronic death registration contracts with the state of Maine, and about your knowledge that cancelling these contracts would lead to increased waste, fraud, and abuse,” Connolly said in his letter.

Connolly, in a letter on Tuesday, said Democrats on the House oversight committee obtained internal emails from the Social Security Administration that he says shows Dudek cancelled the contracts to retaliate politically against Maine.

A representative from the Social Security Administration did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment.

Dudek on a March 18th call with reporters to preview the agency’s tighter identity-proofing measures, initially said the cancellation of the Maine contract happened “because I screwed up,” adding that he believed that the contract looked strange. “I made the wrong move there. I should always ask my staff for guidance first, before I cancel something. I’m new at this job.”

He added, “Well, I was upset at the governor’s treatment, and I indicated in email as such, but the actual fact of the matter was it looked like a strange contract.”

“I’m not interested in political retaliation. I’m interested in serving the public.”

Maine has been the subject of federal investigations since Gov. Mills sparked the ire of Trump at a meeting of governors at the White House in February. During the meeting, Trump threatened to pull federal funding from Maine if the state does not comply with his executive order barring transgender athletes from sports.

Mills responded: “We’ll see you in court.”

The Trump administration then opened investigations into whether Maine violated the Title IX antidiscrimination law by allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports. The Education Department issued a final warning on Monday that the state could face Justice Department enforcement soon if it doesn’t come into compliance soon.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins also said Wednesday that the department is pausing federal funds for some Maine educational programs because of Title IX noncompliance.

Whittle reported from Scarborough, Maine.

US revokes visas of Mexican band members after cartel leader’s face was projected at a concert

By MEGAN JANETSKY, Associated Press

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The U.S. State Department revoked the visas of members of a Mexican band after they projected the face of a drug cartel boss onto a large screen during a performance in the western state of Jalisco over the weekend.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who was U.S. ambassador to Mexico during the first Trump administration, said late Tuesday on X that the work and tourism visas of members of Los Alegres del Barranco were revoked.

The visa revocations follow widespread outrage in Mexico over the concert as prosecutors in two states have launched investigations into the projected images, and a larger national reckoning over how to address the rise of a popular musical genre criticized for romanticizing drug cartels.

“I’m a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn’t mean that expression should be free of consequences,” Landau wrote on X. “The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists.”

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The controversy broke out over the weekend when the face of Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera layered over flames was projected behind the band, originally hailing from Sinaloa, during the concert. Finger pointing ensued among the band, concert producers and the venue.

Oseguera is the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which has been connected to a ranch authorities say was used to train cartel recruits and possibly dispose of bodies in Jalisco, where searchers found human bone fragments, heaps of clothing and shoes.

The Jalisco cartel is among other criminal groups in Mexico that have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration.

While the image was met by applause during the concert, Jalisco prosecutors quickly announced they were summoning the band to testify in an investigation into whether they were promoting violence, a crime which could result in a penalty of up to six months in prison. The state of Michoacan also announced an investigation into the Los Alegres del Barranco for projecting the same images during a concert in the city of Uruapan.

Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus said that the state would ban musical performances that glorify violence, adding that violators would “face monetary and criminal sanctions.”

“We know that outrage is not enough,” Lemus said. “Of course it’s possible to ban (the music).”

Since, a number of the band’s future shows have been cancelled, one town’s government saying that the show “didn’t have the municipal permissions needed” to carry out the performance.

Pavel Moreno, the band’s accordion player and back-up singer, didn’t respond to questions by fans asking if his visa had been revoked, simply thanking them for support and saying that “everything is fine.”

The band was scheduled to play in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 4. While the event hasn’t been publicly cancelled, ticket sales websites read: “No tickets available for now on our site” for that date.

The dispute coincides with a larger cultural debate in Mexico as artists like Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida and Natanael Cano usher in a global renaissance of Mexican regional music, by mixing classic ballads with trap music. In 2023, Peso Pluma beat Taylor Swift out as the most streamed artist on YouTube.

Many of the artists now topping the charts have come under fierce criticism because their lyrics often paint cartel leaders as Robin Hood-esque figures. Others say that the genre, known as “narco corridos”, expresses the harsh realities of many youths across Mexico.

A number of Mexican states have banned public performances of the music in recent years, the most recent being the state of Nayarit in February. Some of the bans have come as famed artists have received death threats from cartels, forcing a number of them to cancel their performances.

Others, including Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum, have sought a less aggressive approach to addressing the genre. Sheinbaum, who has come out against censoring the music, has suggested instead that the Mexican government push forward initiatives that promote Mexican regional music with more socially acceptable lyrics.

The Mexican leader did harden her language on the topic following the Los Alegres del Barranco concert. In her morning news briefing this week, Sheinbaum demanded an investigation into the concert, saying: “You can’t justify violence or criminal groups.”

Horoscopes April 2, 2025: Michael Fassbender, attitude and gratitude will set the tone this year

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Michael Fassbender, 48; Christopher Meloni, 64; Emmylou Harris, 78; Linda Hunt, 80.

Happy Birthday: Attitude and gratitude will set the tone this year. Opportunities are apparent but will require your input to ensure you get the most out of whatever comes your way. A healthy outlook and routine will help you build strength and confidence to advance your long-term plans. Call on those who owe you one, and utilize all your outlets to ensure success and emotional and financial well-being. Your numbers are 6, 14, 22, 26, 34, 39, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Set yourself up for success. Take charge, be part of the team and remain focused on your objective. Ask like-minded people to engage in physical and mental activities, and build lasting friendships with those who share your favorite pastimes. An offer or job change looks inviting. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take care of personal paperwork, expiration dates and investments. How you handle your affairs will affect your lifestyle. Adopt change, and turn it into something that benefits you. Uniquely using your skills will encourage diversity in the workplace. Fix your surroundings to match your mood; it will ease stress and promote success. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): An inquisitive approach will help you make better choices. Communication, educational pursuits and discussing personal matters with those closest to you will help you navigate your way to victory. Be wary of inflated or misleading rhetoric. Trust what’s validated and fits into your lifestyle and plans. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Concentrate on your finances, reputation and meaningful relationships. Refuse to let temptation win or lead to excessive behavior. Walk away from chaos and confusion and toward peace, and you’ll better understand what’s possible and how to make your dreams come true. Trust what you see, not what you hear. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let your creativity flow, and you’ll develop a plan that attracts attention. Participate in groups or events that can turn your idea into something tangible and able to support your efforts. Emotional issues are best dealt with swiftly to avoid unnecessary anxiety and an inflated self-assessment. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Lend a helping hand, but don’t let anyone take advantage of your kindness and consideration. Suggest alternatives and encouragement, but don’t take over. Pay attention to purposeful relationships and do your best not to overlook something meaningful to someone you love. Moderation and an empathetic attitude are your best choices. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Get firsthand information. Participate in your community and the issues that concern you. Your input can make a difference that influences your life, environment and safety. You will gain recognition and become a voice if you step up and do your part. Don’t let anger set in when calm intellectual action is required. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Set a budget, cap your spending and be cognizant of subscriptions and other expenses that can set you back financially. Look for new outlets for your skills, experience and knowledge. It’s time to diversify and separate yourself from any competition. A personal change you make will positively impact your love life. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Focus on being creative and rearranging your living space to better suit your needs. Refuse to let anyone mislead or overcharge you for something you can do yourself or find cheaper elsewhere. Say no to temptation and excessive behavior. Examine what and who matters most to you. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay attention to detail. Joint ventures can be beneficial if solid agreements and designated plans are in place. Put time aside for someone you love or want to spend more time with, and enjoy putting plans in place. Passion, travel, communication and making memories are favored. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take time to reorganize your space. The more efficient you are, the easier it will be to get things done, leaving time to relax and make memories with loved ones. Let your imagination explore new ventures that can help you bring in extra cash. Be a leader, not a follower. 5 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be moderate, stick to a budget and surround yourself with those offering support instead of temptation. Channel your energy into fitness, health and doing things to raise awareness of good lifestyle choices. A social event catered toward sports, the arts or cultural events will be entertaining and enlightening. Romance is favored. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are entertaining, social and curious. You are compassionate and understanding.

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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Steph Curry passes Jerry West on all-time NBA scoring list: ‘I got a little emotional about that’

With each basket, Stephen Curry continues to join more and more rarified air. 

He already owns the all-time record for 3-point makes, recently nailing his 4,000th triple.

That long-range prowess, along with the ability to power inside for layups, drop in floaters and can midrange jumpers, has helped him climb the NBA’s all-time scoring list. 

During Curry’s 52-point decimation of the Memphis Grizzlies in southwest Tennessee on Tuesday night, the 37-year-old guard scored his 25,193rd point and moved past the late Jerry West for 25th on the ladder. 

“I got a little emotional about that because that’s special. What he meant to the league, the world of basketball, to our organization when he worked here … that’s the logo,” Curry said.

Golden State Warriors gaurd Stephen Curry shares a laugh with the late Jerry West, center, in 2012 (Aric Crabb/Staff)

West, who was the model for the NBA logo and was in many ways the original prototype for Curry’s combo-guard archetype as a do-everything scoring dynamo with a sweet shot, was a legendary player for the Lakers in the 1960s and 1970s before helping build two separate dynasties in Los Angeles. 

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After leaving the team in the early-2000s, West worked in the Warriors’ front office from 2011 to 2017.

West embraced the high-volume shooting skills of Curry and Klay Thompson, and was instrumental in building the team’s dynastic roster. 

His son, Jonnie West, is the director of pro personnel for Golden State. 

“I got to talk to him after the game, and share a moment for what it meant to me, my family and the entire West family,” Curry said. 

Curry is now 75 points from passing Reggie Miller (25,279) for 24th on the list. 

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is now just 75 points from passing Reggie Miller (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Democrats’ win in Wisconsin court race also is a big loss for Elon Musk

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI and THOMAS BEAUMONT, Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Judge Susan Crawford preserved liberals’ narrow majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court Tuesday by defeating conservative Brad Schimel, but in a way the real loser of the election was billionaire Elon Musk.

Musk and his affiliated groups sunk at least $21 million into the normally low-profile race and paid three individual voters $1 million each for signing a petition in an effort to goose turnout in the pivotal battleground state contest. That made the race the first major test of the political impact of Musk, whose prominence in President Donald Trump’s administration has skyrocketed with his chaotic cost-cutting initiative that has slashed federal agencies.

Crawford and the Democrats who backed her made Musk the focus of their arguments for holding the seat, contending he was “buying” the election, which set records for the costliest judicial race in history.

“Today Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court,” Crawford said in her victory speech. “And Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale.”

Elon Musk speaks at a town hall holding a check Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Trump endorsed Schimel as the race turned into a proxy fight over national political issues. The state’s high court can rule on cases involving voting rights and redistricting in a state likely to be at the center of both next year’s midterm elections and the 2028 presidential contest.

But Musk’s involvement dialed those dynamics up to 11: “A seemingly small election could determine the fate of Western civilization,” the billionaire said Tuesday in a last-ditch call to voters on his social media site X. “I think it matters for the future of the world.”

Notably, America PAC, the super PAC backed by Musk, spent at least $6 million on vendors who sent door-to-door canvassers across the state, according to the non-partisan Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. It was a reprise of what the group did across the seven most competitive presidential battleground states, including Wisconsin, which were carried by Trump in November.

But the end results this time were not good for Musk. Despite the millions he spent on Schimel, as of late Tuesday night the Supreme Court candidate was losing by four percentage points more than the other Republican-backed statewide candidate, Brittany Kinser, who also fell short in her bid for superintendent of public instruction.

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Musk’s court race defeat wasn’t only because of crushing Democratic margins in deep blue cities like Madison and Milwaukee. Crawford’s margins were higher in places where the Musk-backed group America PAC had been active, including Sauk County, just north of Madison, which Crawford was carrying by 10 points after Trump won it by less than 2 points in November.

In Brown County, the home of Green Bay where Musk headlined a campaign rally with 2,000 people on Sunday, Crawford beat Schimel. Trump won the county by 7 percentage points last year.

Musk was silent on his X platform in the wake of Crawford’s victory, reposting a message about Vietnam and tariffs but nothing on the Supreme Court contest. The platform was rife with criticism from Trump opponents for his involvement in the race.

“Please send @elonmusk to all the close races!” Jon Favreau, former speechwriter for President Barack Obama, wrote.

“Elon Musk is not good at this,” J.B. Pritzker, Illinois’ Democratic governor and a billionaire himself who donated to support Crawford, posted on X.

Voters definitely had Musk on their minds.

“There’s an insane situation going on with the Trump administration, and it feels like Elon Musk is trying to buy votes,” said Kenneth Gifford, a 22-year-old Milwaukee college student, as he cast his ballot on Tuesday. “I want an actual, respectable democracy.”

Others may not have had their vote decided by the billionaire but were all-too aware of the money pouring into their state.

Jim Seeger, a 68-year-old retiree who previously worked in communications and marketing, said he voted for Schimel because he wants Republicans to maintain their outsized majority in Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, which could be at risk if Crawford wins and the court orders the maps redrawn. But, he added, he was disappointed the election had become a “financial race.”

“I think it’s a shame that we have to spend this much money, especially on a judicial race,” Seeger said as he voted in Eau Claire.

Wisconsin’s Democratic Attorney General, Josh Kaul, sued to bar Musk from making his payments to voters if they signed a petition against “activist judges.” The state Supreme Court unanimously declined to rule on the case over a technicality.

Musk swooped into the race shortly after Trump’s inauguration. Republicans were pessimistic about being able to win the seat. They lost a longtime conservative majority on the state high court in 2023, and Democrats have excelled in turning out their educated, politically tuned-in coalition during obscure elections such as the one in Wisconsin.

Musk duplicated and expanded on some of the methods he used in the final weeks of last year’s presidential race, when he spent more than $200 million on Trump’s behalf in the seven swing states, including Wisconsin.

This time, in addition to the $1 million checks, Musk offered to pay $20 to anyone who signed up on his group’s site to knock on doors for Schimel and posted a photo of themselves as proof. His organization promised $100 to every voter who signed the petition against liberal judges and another $100 for every signer they referred.

Democrats were happy to make Musk a lightning rod in the race.

“People do not want to see Elon Musk buying election after election after election,” Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler said Monday. “If it works here, he’s going to do it all over the country.”

Riccardi reported from Denver. Associated Press writer Meg Kinnard in Washington contributed to this report.

Pro Soccer: Union eliminated from US Open Cup

SEASIDE — Perhaps it can be used as a teaching moment. As dominate as Monterey Bay FC was in the first half, it was completely outplayed in the second half by an amateur team that was just hungrier.

Two goals in the second half by El Parolito kept their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup dream alive, lifting them Tuesday to a 2-1 win over the Union in front of a sparse crowd at Cardinale Stadium.

The loss snapped a team record four-game winning streak for the Union, who were eliminated from the US Open Cup for a second time in the second round.

El Parolito, who plays in the National Premier Soccer League in the bay area, has beaten three professional teams in the US Open Cup over the last two years by identical come-from-behind 2-1 scores.

This was the franchise’s first win ever over a United Soccer League Championship team.

Monterey Bay FC, who sits in second place in the United Soccer League Championship Western Conference with nine points, will return to USL play Saturday in Detroit.

It will mark the second time this season that the Union — who are riding a three-game winning streak in the USL — have played three matches in a span of seven days.

Since falling 1-0 to unbeaten and Western Conference leader San Antonio in their USL opener, the Union have outscored their last three conference opponents 9-2.

The Union, who opened the US Open Cup tournament with a 4-0 win over Inter San Francisco, scored in the first half on a penalty kick from Xavi Gnaulati — his third goal in the tournament.

Missed opportunities in the first half fueled El Parolito in the second half as it controlled play on the pitch, tying the game minutes into the second half — the first goal the Union defense has given up in the second in half in four matches.

Unable to recapture the momentum, Monterey Bay FC was on the defense in the second half when El Parolito turned a series of attempts into a goal with under eight minutes remaining.

Having won four straight matches on two previous occasions, the Union came into the game having outscored their last four opponents 10-0 in the second half.

Steph Curry scores 52, hits 12 3-pointers, as Warriors rally past Grizzlies

Steph Curry raced past Jimmy Butler, with his hands up and ready for the pass, late in the first half of Tuesday night’s game at Memphis. 

Curry received the pass he wanted and, some 30 feet away from the rim on the right wing, launched a rainbow shot. The ball ripped the net and gave him 32 first-half points, the 22nd time in his career that Curry had scored 30 points in the first half. 

RELATED: Steph Curry passes Jerry West on all-time NBA scoring list: ‘I got a little emotional about that’

It was arguably the most spectacular of his dozen 3-pointers, two off the record former teammate Klay Thompson holds. 

Against a Grizzlies squad that recently fired coach Taylor Jenkins, Curry poured in 52 points in a 134-125 Golden State victory. He also passed Jerry West for 25th on the all-time scoring list after shooting 16-of-31 from the field and 12-of-20 from beyond the arc. 

The Warriors (44-31) are the fifth seed after their third win in a row, now a half-game in front of the free-falling Grizzlies (44-32) and also ahead of Minnesota (43-32) in the play-in tournament slot. Did this game have a playoff feel for the Warriors?

“It felt like one,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told media.

Curry was the star during his 36 minutes of action, but he had help. Jimmy Butler was also uber-efficient and scored 27 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field while making all 12 of his free throws. Draymond Green had a triple-double — 13 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. 

Brandin Podziemski put Golden State up by five with 1:11 left in regulation when he jumped over Grizzlies star Ja Morant (36 points) for a tip-in layup, and then Moses Moody gave the Warriors an eight-point lead on the next possession with a corner 3-pointer. 

The Warriors, who were a perfect 28-of-28 on free throws, salted the game away at the line.

In Curry’s last game at Memphis’ FedEx Forum, he went 0-for-7 from the field and scored just two points in a 51-point loss on Dec. 19. 

It was arguably the worst performance of his Hall of Fame career. 

In the rematch on Tuesday night, Curry didn’t take long to show there would be no such repeat performance against a seemingly-reeling Grizzlies team that had lost six of its last seven. 

He made his first five shots and scored 19 points in the first 12 minutes, one where Golden State set its season high for points in the first quarter with 45. 

The superstar made his first four three-pointers, many drawing cheers from what was supposed to be a hostile Southeastern crowd.

Despite missing forward Jonathan Kuminga and athletic defender Gary Payton II from the rotation, Golden State had no problems carving up Memphis’ defense. 

Golden State put former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. in foul trouble early, with Moody – who expected friends and family from nearby Arkansas to be in attendance – inducing Jackson’s second infraction only three minutes into the game. 

“It’s about being able to perform in front of my people,” Moody said. “They watch me all the time on TV all the way out in California, but I’ve got a lot of people out here today and I had to get a lot of tickets.”

At one point down by 17, Memphis, led by interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, fought back and cut the deficit to 58-56 with 5:37 left in the first half. 

Grizzlies bigs Jackson Jr. (6-foot-10), Santi Aldama (7-0) and Zach Edey (7-4, 300 pounds) pounded Golden State – sans 6-9 Kuminga – inside. They combined for 50 points.

That size continued to give Golden State issues in the second half. Jackson drove right through the Warrior defense with six minutes left in the third quarter to give Memphis an 85-84 lead. 

The teams battled back and forth after that point, but the Warriors came out on top. 

The Warriors finish their six-game road trip with a showdown with the No. 4 seed Lakers in Los Angeles on Thursday. After that, the Warriors will face third-seeded Denver at Chase Center on Friday. 

SF Giants clinch winning road trip behind Webb’s first gem of year

HOUSTON — Logan Webb is a different pitcher now than he was last year. He’s tweaked his mechanics. He’s upped his cutter usage. He’s altered his changeup.

But at his core, he remains the Giants’ ace of staff.

Webb turned in the first of many quality starts as the Giants (4-1) beat the Houston Astros (2-3) on Tuesday night at Daikin Park, 3-1, allowing one earned run over seven innings with six strikeouts, the only blip on his line being a solo home run.

“The more you throw in this game, the more you have to adapt,” Webb said. “I wish I had a pitch that I could just throw by people, but I have to try and do some other things. I feel good mixing it up. I think that’s the goal. I’m going to keep doing it.”

As far as mixing it up, Webb continued employing a five-pitch mix after doing so in Cincinnati, relying primarily on his sinker (43 pitches) and sweeper (24) while mixing.in changeups (14) four-seam fastballs (seven) and cutters (12). The cutter, in particular, continues to be an emphasis, a pitch he used to strike out Astros’ slugger Yordan Alvarez in the first inning.

“It’s just a different look for me,” Webb said.

What isn’t different is Webb’s identity as a groundball pitcher. Webb induced three double players, none of which were bigger than the one in the sixth inning. Following Chas McCormick’s one-out single, Webb got Jose Altuve to hit into an inning-ending, 5-4-3 double play, letting out a roar of emotion and slamming his right hand into his glove. It was a satisfying slice of vengeance for Webb, who allowed a solo homer to Altuve in the fourth.

To get through seven innings, Webb was tasked with facing the heart of Houston’s order for the third time. Webb allowed the tying run on base as Isaac Paredes hit a leadoff single, but Webb proceeded to strike out Alvarez and Christian Walker, then get Yainer Diaz to hit an inning-ending ground out.

“Guys like him, they’re smelling the finish line,” Melvin said. “He knows that’s probably going to be it for him as far as seven innings go, which nowadays is kind of a miracle. He knows where he is and he knows how to finish games and he knows he has a groundball anytime he needs one. A couple times today, he needed a groundball and got some double plays. Very aware of the situation and knew he was probably coming out pretty quick. Seven innings, we’ll take it.”

Following Webb’s departure, Tyler Rogers wiggled out of a critical situation of his own. With two outs in the eighth, Rogers gave up back-to-back two-out singles that set the stage for Altuve, who’s more than capable of changing the complexion of a game with one swing. Daikin Park roared in anticipation of another big hit from Altuve, but Rogers induced an inning-ending pop out and escaped without allowing a run.

The person to catch that pop up was Casey Schmitt, who played first base for the first time in about six years after pinch-hitting for LaMonte Wade Jr. With Jerar Encarnacion out for roughly two months after undergoing surgery last Friday, Schmitt will start at first base against left-handed pitching. That includes tomorrow, when Houston sends lefty Framber Valdez to the mound.

“I’ve been taking ground balls during (batting practice), working on the picks, thinking about where to go in situations and stuff like that,” Schmitt said.

Schmitt wasn’t the only one experiencing something new on Tuesday as Christian Koss, a surprise addition to the Opening Day roster, made his major-league debut. Koss contributed to the win on both sides of the ball, helping turn all three double plays and scoring on Willy Adames’ two-run double after drawing a walk.

“You dream about this growing up,” Koss said. “It’s kind of been waiting to set in and I finally got in there today.”

Worth noting

Heliot Ramos hit his third home run of the year, battling back from an 0-2 count to pull a 108.3 mph line drive into the Crawford Boxes. With the homer, Ramos became the third Giants player to begin a season with an extra-base hit in five straight games, joining Willie Mays (1971) and Felipe Alou (1963).

Democratic-backed Wisconsin state schools chief Jill Underly wins reelection over GOP-backed rival

By SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin voted Tuesday for Jill Underly to remain as the state’s top education official during President Donald Trump’s second term, choosing the Democratic-backed incumbent over a Republican-supported critic.

Wisconsin voters also decided to enshrine the state’s voter ID law in the state constitution.

Both contests had sharp partisan divisions, though they have drawn far less spending and national attention than the race for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Here’s a look at the two races:

Union-backed incumbent defeats GOP-backed voucher advocate

Underly, the Democratic-backed state education chief, defeated her Republican-aligned opponent, Brittany Kinser. Unofficial results showed Underly with almost 53% of the vote with 85% of votes counted statewide.

“Tonight, we celebrate a victory not just for our campaign, but for every educator, family and most importantly – kids – across our great state,” Underly said in a statement.

Kinser’s campaign did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

FILE – This photo released by the Brittany Kinser campaign shows education consultant and candidate for Wisconsin Department of Instruction secretary Brittany Kinser. (Brittany Kinser campaign via AP, File)

Underly will guide policies affecting K-12 schools as Trump moves to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Her second term comes at a time when test scores are still recovering from the pandemic, Wisconsin’s achievement gap between white and Black students remains the worst in the country and more schools are asking voters to raise property taxes to pay for operations.

Wisconsin is the only state where voters elect the top education official but there is no state board of education. That gives the superintendent broad authority to oversee education policy, from dispersing school funding to managing teacher licensing.

Underly, 47, had the support of the teachers union in the general election after failing to secure it in the three-person primary. She also was backed financially by the state Democratic Party.

Underly, who was first elected as state superintendent in 2021, ran as a champion of public schools. Kinser supports the private school voucher program.

Underly’s education career began in 1999 as a high school social studies teacher in Indiana. She moved to Wisconsin in 2005 and worked for five years at the state education department. She also was principal of Pecatonica Elementary School for a year before becoming district administrator.

Kinser, whose backers included the Wisconsin Republican Party and former Republican Govs. Tommy Thompson and Scott Walker, previously worked for Rocketship schools, part of a national network of public charter institutions. She rose to become its executive director in the Milwaukee region.

In 2022 she left Rocketship for City Forward Collective, a Milwaukee nonprofit that advocates for charter and voucher schools. She also founded a consulting firm where she currently works.

Kinser tried to brand Underly as being a poor manager of the Department of Public Instruction and keyed in on her overhaul of state achievement standards last year.

Underly said that was done to better reflect what students are learning now, but the change was met with bipartisan opposition including from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who was previously state superintendent himself. Evers did not make an endorsement in the race.

Longtime voter ID law enshrined in the state constitution

Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly elevated the state’s photo ID requirement from state law to constitutional amendment under a proposal approved by voters.

Unofficial results showed the amendment passing with almost 63% of the vote with almost 90% of ballots counted.

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The Republican-controlled Legislature placed the measure on the ballot and pitched it as a way to bolster election security and protect the law from being overturned in court.

President Donald Trump trumpeted the measure’s approval on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling it “maybe the biggest win of the night.”

“It should allow us to win Wisconsin, like I just did in the presidential election, for many years to come!” he said.

Trump narrowly lost Wisconsin to Joe Biden in 2020 but defeated Kamala Harris last November election to claim its 10 electoral votes.

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, who is leading Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal government, also noted the outcome on his social media platform, X, saying: “Yeah!”

Democratic opponents argued that photo ID requirements are often enforced unfairly, making voting more difficult for people of color, disabled people and poor people.

All Voting is Local, a nonpartisan voting rights organization, warned that placing the photo ID mandate in the constitution will make it harder to vote.

“We should not be purposefully leaving eligible voters behind by setting up additional barriers to the ballot, but unfortunately, those in the Badger State have one more step to take before voting,” Sam Liebert, the organization’s state director, said in a statement.

Wisconsin voters won’t notice any changes when they go to the polls. They will still have to present a valid photo ID just as they have under the state law, which was passed in 2011 and went into effect permanently in 2016 after a series of unsuccessful lawsuits.

Placing the photo ID requirement in the constitution makes it more difficult for a future Legislature controlled by Democrats to change the law. Any constitutional amendment must be approved in two consecutive legislative sessions and by a statewide popular vote.

Wisconsin is one of nine states where people must present photo ID to vote, and its requirement is the nation’s strictest, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Thirty-six states have laws requiring or requesting that voters show some sort of identification, according to the NCSL.

SF Giants can’t wait to get their hands on trendy “torpedo bats”

HOUSTON — Just about every year, a new trend sweeps across Major League Baseball.

In 2023, it was the sweeper. In 2024, it was the splitter. In 2025? It’s the “torpedo bat.”

The torpedo bat became the talk of baseball after the New York Yankees hit 15 home runs — including nine on Saturday  — over three games against the Milwaukee Brewers. The bats, true to the name, feature a torpedo-like shape and are custom-made, designed to ensure the densest part of the bat is where a hitter makes the most contact.

And, yes, despite the abnormal look, the bats are completely legal.

“I’ve always thought that baseball’s been behind the curve in terms of technology and creating the right equipment for every player,” said Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski. “It’s always been up to us to try bats and see if we like it — and even if you like it, you don’t know if it’s the right performing bat for you. It’s good to see there’s genuine thought being put into what equipment we’re actually using.”

The bats are the invention of 48-year-old Aaron Leanhardt, who earned his bachelor’s in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and his doctorate in physics from MIT. Leanhardt, currently the Miami Marlins’ field coordinator, developed the bat during his time with New York, where he served as the team’s lead analyst last season. The Yankees, unsurprisingly, are leading the torpedo bat charge.

As things stand, there are roughly 20 players this season using torpedo bats and more are experimenting due in part to the Yankees’ outburst. Elly De La Cruz, whose Reds lost twice to the Giants in their opening three-game series, tried the bat out on Monday and proceeded to go 4-for-5 with two homers, a double and seven RBIs.

In the coming months, the bats could make their way into the Giants’ clubhouse.

“At some point, I’ll try it out just to give it a shot,” infielder Tyler Fitzgerald said. “It’s a trendy thing right now. If the Yankees don’t put up 20 runs in that game, this isn’t even a discussion. Anything to give the hitter a little more of an advantage, I’m all for.”

“I’m definitely going to look into it and figure out what’s right,” Yastrzemski said. “But I’m not just going to go in blindly. I’m going to go and find the data and decide if that’s something I even should try before I do that. I don’t really feel like I’m in a position right now where I need to go searching for something that I don’t need to be looking for right now.”

That list will not include first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr., who prefers to roll with the model he’s used for years.

“I’m honestly not really that interested in it,” Wade said. “It makes sense, but I like my bats. My bats are made for me as well.”

Despite the torpedo bat’s legality, there’s been no shortage of detractors claiming the bats provide an unfair advantage.

With the obvious caveat that the season is young, several players who use torpedo bats have had strong starts to their seasons. Entering Tuesday, the Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm, Paul Goldschmidt, Austin Wells and Cody Bellinger all boast an OPS of at least 1.000.

According to Major League Baseball Rule 3.02, bats “shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.” The torpedo bat meets both criteria. Given they’re textbook legal, Yastrzemski doesn’t see the bats as unfair, but rather the latest means of using technology to find an edge.

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“Whether it’s using Edgertronic cameras to see a specific grip on your pitch or throwing weighted balls, using different density bats, using different types of wood, there’s always somebody trying something new,” Yastrzemski said. “Unless the league came out and said that they weren’t going to allow it, I can’t see it being unfair in any way.”

Justin Verlander laughed when asked about torpedo bats and said he didn’t know enough about them to comment, but Robbie Ray described the bats’ construction as “an interesting thought” that makes sense. For all the early success that Chisholm, Goldschmidt, Bellinger and others have experienced, Ray sees a way where hitters could end up being disadvantaged.

“I feel like you’re going to see it even out, because those balls that you hit off the end of the bat are no longer hitting more barrel,” Ray said. “Yes, it might help you get to those pitches that you don’t normally get to, but I think you’re also going to hit some weaker balls that you normally might get away with.”