Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 178
March 27, 2025
San Jose officials call for more analysis of airport connector proposal
While San Jose remains committed to better connecting residents to Mineta International Airport and the greater Bay Area, changes in ridership, travel patterns and technology have led to calls for a deeper analysis on whether a futuristic-like project that would shuttle travelers between the airport to Diridon Station is the right investment.
The City Council has asked for a more extensive study — financed without new public funds — to determine the demand for service and where riders want to travel before committing more significant financial resources, especially with the city already cash-strapped.
“There’s no question in my mind the project hinges on understanding long-term airport growth needs and securing external funding as the city of San Jose cannot and should not allocate additional funding at this time,” said District 6 Councilmember Michael Mulcahy, who represents the area encompassing the airport. “Our goal is to ensure the SJC to Diridon connector can be competitive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape while supporting SJC’s economic benefits to the region.”
The move comes despite an initial feasibility report that provided a bright outlook for the project.
The project is a more modern transit system consisting of small, autonomous vehicles that could seat up to four passengers operating on its own designated pathway, shielding it from regular road congestion and traffic. It would be built through a public-private partnership that aims to create a safer, more reliable and cost-friendly means to connect the city’s major transportation hubs that sit nearly three-and-a-half miles away from one another.
The base proposal would connect Diridon Station and Terminal B at the airport, while the project could also offer an intra-airport extension that would provide access to Terminal A and the long-term parking lot.
Department of Transportation Director John Ristow said initial estimates placed a price tag of $489 million to $592 million on the base project. A larger project could be in the range of $707 million to $821 million, with the majority of construction costs being funded by public funds, Ristow said.
He estimated private investment would cover 10% or less of the costs.
Despite the high price tag, the connector project has a substantially lower cost-per-mile construction cost than other major projects currently underway in the Bay Area.
While the city selected San Jose Connection Partners, a consortium led by Plenary Americas that includes Glydways, Webcor/Obayashi, HNTB and ACI, in 2023 to help study and potentially develop a system, support for the project goes back for decades.
When Santa Clara County voters passed Measure A in 2000, which established a 30-year half-cent sales tax to help fund transit projects, the connector project was one of several included that received favorable polling.
“Our company is excited about this project because of its strong fundamentals, connecting two major transportation facilities, and we believe in the long-term growth of San Jose and the South Bay region, and that’s going to increase utilization of both those facilities and the need for connection between them,” said Eliot Jamison, Senior Vice President of Plenary Group.
Business leaders have also continued to support the project and touted its economic benefits, in addition to the belief that it will make San Jose an innovative leader in transit solutions.
“The business community sees this as a vital infrastructure investment that will enhance both regional mobility and economic competitiveness for numerous benefits this project will have for San Jose and our region,” Silicon Valley Leadership Group Vice President Dan Kostenbauder said. “It offers a modern, autonomous electric transit solution that will improve connectivity between SJC and Diridon. It’s a public-private partnership that brings private investment into our public transit system, which is smart and fiscally responsible.”
Shelley Doran, a Webcor Builders and Obayashi representative, estimated the project could generate 200,000 hours per year of union labor.
Although San Jose has flirted with building a connector for decades, officials acknowledged that the current conditions are not quite the same to even a few years ago when the city first sent out a request for proposals.
“A lot of things have changed since we started this analysis, from the growth trajectory of the airport to where we were with Downtown West planning,” Mayor Matt Mahan said.
A memo authored by Mahan, Mulcahy, Vice Mayor Pam Foley and Councilmembers David Cohen and Rosemary Kamei cited the airport’s wobbly performance, declining sales tax revenue, high office vacancies and other major transportation projects as factors for the city to consider. They also noted the advances in autonomous vehicle technology, which could creep more into San Jose in the not-so-distant future as Waymo expands.
And while San Jose will move forward with a more scaled-down study, city officials have asked to finance it through grant funds or investments from its private sector partners.
The study has $3.7 million available in previously allocated funds from the city, Measure A dollars and federal grants that can help shave off some of the costs, but San Jose does not want the VTA to shoulder any additional burdens with the BART extension project and restoration of bus services a priority.
“I think we’re at a moment where it’s prudent to get more information but to do it in a way that is extremely rigorous, data-driven and limits the impacts on our already strained budgets,” Mahan said.
Imjin Parkway project in Marina sees Marina Heights Drive open
MARINA – Abrams Drive on the north side of Imjin Parkway in Marina was closed Wednesday and Marina Heights Drive opened, as the Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project settles into its second phase. Imjin Road remains closed at the project site.
The Imjin Parkway project moved into phase two earlier this month with traffic now moving on the newly constructed north side of the parkway as work focuses on the south side on its way to project completion, estimated to be June 2026.
The project is a two-year effort to widen and increase safety on a traffic artery for about 30,000 daily motorists moving between the Salinas area and the Monterey Peninsula. The project affects 1.7 miles of Imjin Parkway from Reservation Road to Imjin Road and will include the construction of four roundabouts and increase the stretch of roadway to four lanes.
From now until April 4, day work on the Imjin Parkway project will include the closure of Abrams Drive on the north side to construct half the roundabout in that location. Abrams Drive on the south side at Imjin Parkway will continue to be temporarily signalized. The signal work installation, while still allowing for traffic flow, was planned for Wednesday.
Additionally, work continues with the placement of concrete curbs along Imjin Parkway from just after California Aveune to Abrams Drive (west) and continuing to Abrams Drive (east), the grinding and removal of existing roadway at Abrams Drive on the north side, as well as earthwork and grading of the roadway section between Abrams Drive (west) just after California Avenue to Abrams Drive (east). Phase two construction also includes the continued earthwork and grading of the roadway section from Preston Drive to Reservation Road, placing underground conduit for fiber and flashing beacon poles at Imjin Road and Marina Heights Drive, the continued installing of irrigation service lines along Imjin Parkway between Marina Heights and Preston drives, as well as the continued environmental monitoring of contractor activities job wide.
No night shift work is scheduled during this time.
The closure of Abrams Drive on the north side of Imjin Parkway is expected to last until late May, and once opened, will be right in/right out movements onto Imjin Parkway.
Traffic control, in place for the safety of all vehicles and workers, is at an enforceable speed limit of 25 mph through the construction zone, while the recommended speed through the roundabouts during construction is 15 mph.
Once phase two is complete, phase three will be miscellaneous roadwork, including demolishing temporary paving, roadway paving and temporary striping, drainage utilities and lighting and grading.
Phase 4 will be final paving — top lift — and striping.
Once the Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project is completed, it will add on-street buffered bike lanes, stormwater treatment areas, retaining walls and a sound wall.
The improvements aim to benefit commuters who travel through the corridor, as well as those who live along Imjin Parkway at Cal State Monterey Bay and the neighboring homes in Marina Heights, Sea Haven and Preston Park.
The city of Marina is the lead agency for the project, which is also the second regional Transportation Agency for Monterey County Measure X project to be built.
Measure X was the November 2016 ballot measure approved by 67.7% of Monterey County voters for the Transportation Agency’s Transportation Safety and Investment Plan.
The Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project’s $40.5 million in funding sources include $2 million from Marina generated from development impact fees, around $18.2 million from Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s Measure X and about $20.2 million from California’s SB1 local partnership program.
To stay informed about the Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project, visit the project website at www.imjinparkway.com or call Edrie De Los Santos, city of Marina, at (831) 884-1212.
Hidden Gems from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale kicked off this week, and shoppers are taking full advantage of discounted items to save big. If you’re a casual shopper and not really sure what you’re looking for, we’ve rounded up the best hidden gems of the big sale for you to check out.
There are tons of neat items to consider adding to your cart that you might not have even known you needed or wanted. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of hot items, including personalized gifts, personal care products, portable monitors, golf rangefinders and more.
Best hidden gems of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale 
If you have a loved one to whom you want to gift something personalized for their birthday, the holidays, or another special occasion, this customizable candle is an excellent idea. It has a cedarwood and mint fragrance, and you can personalize the label with their birthday and Zodiac information, including their sign and elements.
Want a teeth-whitening solution that delivers fast results? The Auraglow Teeth Whitening Kit provides professional-grade teeth whitening via an LED light that activates the molecules in the bleaching gel to work faster, giving you a brighter smile after just a few treatments. Plus, it’s safe for tooth enamel and doesn’t cause any sensitivity issues.
This massager features LED light therapy, which can give your face a firmer feel and healthier-looking skin. The facial sculptor contours to your face’s shape for smooth gliding, and there are seven light colors, each with varying degrees of light therapy. It’s easy to use, and the compact design makes it suitable for traveling.
Kids can make a mess in your car, but with this foldable tray, they can play, eat, and watch their tablet comfortably without causing a disaster in the backseat. It has a dedicated tablet holder, a cupholder, a 16- by 12.5-inch drawing area and six storage pockets for toys, snacks, pencils, markers and other kids’ essentials.
If you have a cat or dog that’s wreaking havoc in your home by shedding hair, this hair remover can lift hair off your upholstery, carpet, or bedding. Unlike traditional lint rollers, this one is designed specifically to lift thick pet hair off soft surfaces. Simply roll it back and forth and press the release button to empty the hair you’ve removed.
It can sometimes be challenging to determine which club to use when you step up to the tee box. However, this rangefinder offers 6x magnification and lets you lock on to your target from up to 300 yards away for an accurate distance reading. It also features an external slope switch that you can toggle on and off based on whether you’re playing recreationally or in a tournament.
This solar-powered power station provides a convenient way to charge devices, appliances, and tools while you’re on the go. It boasts a 1,500-watt AC output and a 3,000-watt surge peak and features several ports for powering various devices simultaneously. It has a 10-year life span, and you can manage charging modes through the Jackery app.
Dark circles can look unflattering, but with this under-eye mask, you can significantly reduce them, giving you a healthier and more youthful appearance. It’s a hydrating mask formulated with sea moss that can help you eliminate dark circles and puffiness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Whether you want a larger screen for streaming your favorite movies or need an additional display to increase productivity, this portable monitor is well worth a look. It’s a 15.6-inch HD monitor with HDR picture-enhancing technology and a fast refresh rate that’s compatible with most smartphones, tablets, laptops and computers.
Make your daily commute more manageable with this electric scooter. It can travel as fast as 15.5 miles per hour, making your daily commute more manageable. Its intuitive controls are excellent for first-time riders, and the high-grade steel frame makes it suitable for various environments. It has thick wheels, RGB lighting effects and a dual brake system for improved safety.
Other hidden gems of Amazon’s Big Spring SaleZulay Kitchen Powerful Milk Frother Wand 38% OFF
RENPHO Eye Massager 42% OFF
THE GYM PEOPLE Thick High Waist Yoga Pants 33% OFF
INIU Portable Charger 36% OFF
CASABREWS 3700 Essential Espresso Machine 23% OFF
HOTOR Trunk Organizer 32% OFF
Gillette Labs Heated Razor Gold Edition 17% OFF
Fullstar All-in-1 Vegetable Chopper and Mandoline Slicer
Nostalgia Snow Cone Shaved Ice Machine 20% OFF
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)MLB predictions: Our team forecasts the playoffs and MVP award
It’s Opening Day, which means we are only seven months from the World Series.
The Giants enter 2025 with a similar roster to last season’s 80-82 crew, with the addition of shortstop Willy Adames and Justin Verlander filling the rotation spot vacated by Blake Snell.
The A’s have abandoned the East Bay, taking the long way to Las Vegas with a stop in Sacramento. They’ve also splashed cash on free agents more than they did in Oakland, adding free agent Luis Severino on a team-record deal and signing Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler to big-money extensions.
Who will still be playing in late October (other than the Dodgers, of course)? We asked that question and more to our team covering the baseball season.
Here’s what our forecasters predicted:
Justice delos Santos, beat reporterAL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Rangers
AL wild cards: Yankees, Orioles, Royals
ALDS winners: Red Sox, Rangers
ALCS winner: Red Sox
NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Dodgers
NL wild cards: Diamondbacks, Braves, Mets
NLDS winners: Dodgers, Braves
NLCS winner: Dodgers
World Series: Dodgers
AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr.
NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani
Evan Webeck, baseball reporterAL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Mariners
AL wild cards: Orioles, Yankees, Athletics
ALDS winners: Mariners, Tigers
ALCS winner: Mariners
NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Dodgers
NL wild cards: Mets, Braves, Diamondbacks
NLDS winners: Dodgers, Diamondbacks
NLCS winner: Dodgers
World Series: Mariners
AL MVP: Julio Rodriguez
NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani
Dieter Kurtenbach, columnistAL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Rangers
AL wild cards: Twins, Orioles, Astros
ALDS winners: Twins, Yankees
ALCS winner: Yankees
NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Dodgers
NL wild cards: Phillies, Braves, Diamondbacks
NLDS winners: Phillies, Dodgers
NLCS winner: Phillies
World Series: Yankees
AL MVP: Gunnar Henderson
NL MVP: Juan Soto
Laurence Miedema, baseball editorAL East: Orioles
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Rangers
AL wild cards: Yankees, Guardians, Mariners
ALDS winners: Orioles, Mariners
ALCS winner: Mariners
NL East: Braves
NL Central: Reds
NL West: Dodgers
NL wild cards: Padres, Mets, Phillies
NLDS winners: Dodgers, Braves
NLCS winner: Dodgers
World Series: Dodgers
AL MVP: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners
NL MVP: Elly De La Cruz, Reds
Best bread box
Whether your bread is homemade or store-bought, it can still go bad if you don’t eat it fast enough. Considering loaves of bread are usually fairly large, this can be a considerable problem, especially in one-person households. Thankfully, bread boxes are available to not only keep your bread fresh for a longer period of time but also add a little touch of design to your kitchen.
The best bread box is the Brabantia Roll-Top Bread Box, which is big enough to hold two or more loaves at once, and the lid magnetically seals for maximum freshness.
What to know before you buy a bread boxHow a bread box worksBread boxes help to control the humidity that surrounds your bread by allowing proper air circulation, far better than the plastic that store-bought loaves come in. This helps to slow both the chances of mold growth and the onset of staleness. You’ll want to make sure the bread box has an airtight seal in order to reap its maximum benefits.
MaterialsBread boxes can be made from many types of materials, but the most common are wood, plastic, stainless steel, enameled metal and ceramic.
Wood: Wood is a popular material thanks to its rustic aesthetics. These boxes are usually large enough for two or more loaves.Plastic: Plastic usually has the benefit of being translucent, allowing you to check the status of your loaves without opening the box. It’s also light and easy to clean.Stainless steel: Stainless steel is a highly durable and elegant material. If you don’t like smudges and fingerprints, make sure your prospective bread box is resistant to them.Enameled metal: Enameled metal makes for a more traditional, farmhouse-style bread box. It’s easy to clean but has a tendency to chip.Ceramic: Ceramic is one of the most aesthetically pleasing options, but it is easily the least durable material.What to look for in a quality bread boxSizeWhile you might think storage capacity is the most important aspect of size, it’s actually better to consider your counter space. Even a smaller bread box can eat up a lot of space, so try to look for an option that fits in best with the available space you have.
ExpandabilityCertain, harder-to-find bread boxes are constructed almost like an accordion, able to be pulled apart or pushed together to adjust to the size of the bread you currently need to store. These options can be a lifesaver for smaller kitchens.
MountabilityIf you really need to save some counter space, you can also shop for mountable bread boxes. These can be attached to the undersides of cabinets or directly to a wall.
How much you can expect to spend on a bread boxBread boxes can be very affordable purchases, but they can quickly become very expensive. Most of them will only cost between $25 and $40, though bigger boxes can cost $50 or more. Designer bread boxes can frequently cost more than $75.
Bread box FAQHow long will bread stay fresh in a bread box?A. Bread will typically stay fresh inside a bread box for about a week, but it will be the freshest during the first half of that week. The bread box itself can add or subtract a few days from the freshness. Other factors also play into this, like whether the bread was homemade or store-bought and the general environment of your kitchen.
Can I just put my bread in the refrigerator?A. You can, but doing so can result in a fairly significant con in addition to a small pro. The downside of storing in the refrigerator is the speeding up of the retrogradation process, meaning it will become less fluffy and moist much faster. The upside is that it slows down the growth of mold. Keep these facts in mind when making a decision.
Can I safely eat moldy bread?A. The short answer is no. The specific mold on your bread may be dangerous to your health, and simply tearing away the mold doesn’t guarantee that all traces of it are gone. For your safety, always trash moldy bread.
What are the best bread boxes to buy?Top bread box 
What you need to know: This bread box is a perfect combination of fashion and function.
What you’ll love: It’s big enough to hold two loaves or more, and the lid is magnetically sealed for maximum freshness.
What you should consider: It’s a bit costly for a bread box and a little lightweight.
Top bread box for the money 
RoyalHouse Bamboo Roll Top Bread Box
What you need to know: This is an excellent, eco-friendly bread box packed with natural resistances to odors, stains, heat and bacteria.
What you’ll love: This bread box has a lovely design that fits in with any kitchen, plus a spacious, two loaf capacity rounds out this selection’s features.
What you should consider: Some have said that certain pieces don’t fit perfectly, which can upset the aesthetics of the bread box.
Worth checking out 
Laura’s Green Kitchen Double Layer Bread Box
What you need to know: This extra-large bread box can hold several loaves and any other baked goods you might have.
What you’ll love: Air vents limit airflow to only what’s needed for maximum freshness, and the two-floor design maximizes counter space.
What you should consider: The magnetic lock can be a little difficult to get to latch the doors closed.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Horoscopes March 27, 2025: Nathan Fillion, put your energy into your home and family
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Fergie, 50; Nathan Fillion, 54; Mariah Carey, 56; Pauley Perrette, 56.
Happy Birthday: Take a deep breath, swallow your pride, be realistic and push forward. Put your energy into your home, family and what’s important to you, and you won’t be disappointed. Don’t feel you must put on a display or share your secrets or intentions. Work quietly and make progress; what you achieve will speak volumes about who you are, what you stand for and what you can do. Your numbers are 9, 15, 22, 29, 33, 44, 47.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Refuse to give in to someone who or something that isn’t in your best interest. Make the effort and advocate on your own behalf. It’s up to you to achieve what’s in your heart and essential to your emotional well-being and prospects. Choose to be efficient, and live life your way. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take nothing and no one for granted. Look inward for answers and discover purpose and peace of mind. Trust your instincts and set standards that encourage the outcome you want to achieve. Make your home a place of peace, comfort and rejuvenation. Build your life on solid ground based on realistic expectations. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Only accept proposals and invites that align with your mental and emotional well-being and if you have the time to fulfill your promises. Your perspective and choices will change, sending easily misinterpreted signals. Be direct, and you’ll spare yourself a lot of grief. Your power will come from doing what’s right. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Do whatever is necessary without complaint, and you’ll outshine any opposition you face. Pay attention to the visual appeal; it will help you gain momentum over anyone trying to outdo you. Last-minute changes will impress someone who can affect the outcome of a decision that influences how you progress. 5 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): To reach your goal, ask questions and participate in conversations or events encouraging growth and understanding. When the time comes to take the next step, doing so privately is favored to allow for tiny but necessary adjustments. Educational pursuits and travel will offer insight into successful marketing opportunities. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Exercise your rights and negotiate on your behalf to ensure you don’t go over budget or get in over your head regarding what you say you can do. It’s best to undersell your skills and overproduce when it’s time to present. A change of scenery will boost your imagination and creativity. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take in what’s happening in your neighborhood or workplace. Observation will offer insight into what’s possible and how to maneuver your way to a position that will benefit you personally or professionally. Put your energy into doing things differently, and you’ll capture the attention of someone who can help you advance. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Mix business with pleasure. Attending reunions, trade shows or anything that brings you in contact with people who specialize in something you want to explore or add to your roster will lead to new possibilities and success. A unique approach to life, love and promoting yourself and your skills will pay off. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put more effort into your surroundings. Let comfort and convenience precede how you handle others and your lifestyle choices. Think big, but don’t underestimate the cost of whatever you plan to do. An enthusiastic performance will capture positive attention that can shape the future. Romance is on the rise. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take in what others say and do, and rearrange your plans and the information you share to ensure you maintain the upper hand when negotiating or determining what you want to do and who you want to work alongside. A wrong move can cause tension between you and someone you love. 4 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your options will mount, allowing you to dream big, but before you follow through, take inventory and decide what you need and want to spend. A change is only good if it doesn’t compromise your life in other areas. Weigh the pros and cons and take the path that keeps stress levels low. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keep your thoughts to yourself. Gather information and consider what’s necessary. Sticking to familiar surroundings will put you in your comfort zone, helping you make doable decisions and a positive difference. Make a physical change, update your look and do your best to get up to speed with trends. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are informative, thoughtful and energetic. You are innovative and curious.
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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March 26, 2025
SF Giants reveal Opening Day roster with one major surprise
Missing the final week in Arizona with a balky back didn’t keep centerfielder Jung Hoo Lee off the Giants’ Opening Day roster, but in somewhat of a surprise, infielder Christian Koss will be on the bench in Cincinnati instead of outfielder Grant McCray or infielder Brett Wisely.
Veteran Sam Huff will open the season as the backup catcher and infielder Casey Schmitt, who is out of options, also made the 26-man roster the Giants released Wednesday night. The Giants will open the season with 13 pitchers and just one left-hander, Erik Miller, in the bullpen.
Koss, 27, has played mostly shortstop in the minor leagues, but also can play second, third and has some outfield experience. The former UC Irvine star played at three levels in the Giants’ minor league system last season after being acquired in a trade with the Red Sox. He arrived known more for his defense, but turned a lot of heads in camp. Koss hit .325 (13 for 40) with a .413 on-base percentage.
Koss and Schmitt provide versatility behind the starting infield of LaMonte Wade Jr. at first, Tyler Fitzgerald at second, Matt Chapman at third and new shortstop Willy Adames. Koss took the 40-man roster spot of catcher Tom Murphy, who was placed on the 60-day injured list with mid-back disk herniation.
Wisley appeared in 142 games with the Giants over the past two seasons with a slash line of .218/.263/.320. He was 13 for 44 (.235) this spring and figured to have an advantage as the lone left-handed hitter among the bench candidates. He was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.
McCray will also open the season in Sacramento. The former third-round pick made his debut with the Giants last season. He appeared in 37 games and hit five home runs, but also struck out 56 times in 130 plate appearances and batted .202. He slashed .239/.375/.391 this spring.
Lee, whose debut season with the Giants lasted just 37 games because of a shoulder injury, missed about a week because of back tightness from what the team said was from sleeping wrong. He returned to the lineup Sunday at Sacramento and had an RBI double in three plate appearances. He played in both exhibition games at Oracle Park against the Tigers and was deemed fit to open the season.
Jerar Encarnacion was placed on the 10-day injured list with a broken left hand (though he’ll require surgery and could miss at least half of the season), leaving the Giants with four outfielders on the Opening Day roster: Lee, Heliot Ramos, Luis Matos and Mike Yastrzemski.
In two other moves, hard-throwing reliever Joel Peguero and catcher Max Stassi were reassigned to Sacramento.
Below is the full roster:
Related Articles Free-agent fans: Options for forlorn Oakland A’s supporters in search of new team These are the keys for SF Giants to compete in the NL West in 2025 How to watch the SF Giants’ Opening Day game at the Reds Despite accolades, SF Giants’ Logan Webb still searches for perfection SF Giants cap spring with MLB-best 21st win vs. Tigers. Does it matter? Pitchers (13)Starters: RHP Jordan Hicks, LHP Robbie Ray, RHP Landen Roupp, RHP Justin Verlander, RHP Logan Webb
Relievers: RHP Hayden Birdsong, RHP Spencer Bivens, RHP Camilo Doval, LHP Erik Miller, RHP Randy Rodríguez, RHP Tyler Rogers, RHP Lou Trivino, RHP Ryan Walker
Catchers (2)Patrick Bailey, Sam Huff
Infielders (7)
SS Willy Adames, 3B Matt Chapman, 2B Tyler Fitzgerald, 1B/DH Wilmer Flores, INF Christian Koss, INF Casey Schmitt, 1B/DH LaMonte Wade Jr.
Outfielders (4)
Jung Hoo Lee, Luis Matos, Heliot Ramos, Mike Yastrzemski
Turkish student at Tufts University detained, video shows masked people handcuffing her
By JAKE OFFENHARTZ, KATHY McCORMACK and MICHAEL CASEY, Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — A Turkish national and doctoral student at Tufts University has been detained by federal agents without explanation, her lawyer said Wednesday.
Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, had just left her home in Somerville to meet with friends Tuesday night when she was detained by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents, lawyer Mahsa Khanbabai said in a petition filed in Boston federal court.
Video obtained by The Associated Press appears to show six people, their faces covered, taking away Ozturk’s phone as she yells and is handcuffed.
“We’re the police,” members of the group are heard saying in the video.
A man is heard asking, “Why are you hiding your faces?”
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., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo)Khanbabai said Ozturk, who is Muslim, was meeting friends for iftar, a meal that breaks a fast at sunset during Ramadan.
“We are unaware of her whereabouts and have not been able to contact her. No charges have been filed against Rumeysa to date that we are aware of,” Khanbabai said in a statement. Ozturk has a visa allowing her to study in the United States, Khanbabai said.
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., Tuesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo)‘This isn’t public safety, it’s intimidation’Neighbors said they were left rattled by the arrest, which played out at 5:30 p.m. on a residential block.
“It looked like a kidnapping,” said Michael Mathis, a 32-year-old software engineer whose surveillance camera captured the arrest. “They approach her and start grabbing her with their faces covered. They’re covering their faces. They’re in unmarked vehicles.”
Hundreds of people gather in Somerville, Mass., on March 26, 2025, to demand the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, who was arrested by federal agents Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Michael Casey)Tufts University President Sunil Kumar said Wednesday in a statement that the school received reports that federal authorities detained an international graduate student and that the student’s visa had been terminated.
“The university had no pre-knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities prior to the event,” Kumar said.
Kumar did not name the student, but university spokesperson Patrick Collins confirmed that Ozturk is a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Hundreds of people gather in Somerville, Mass., on March 26, 2025, to demand the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, who was arrested by federal agents Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Michael Casey)Democratic U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley called the arrest “a horrifying violation of Rumeysa’s constitutional rights to due process and free speech.”
“She must be immediately released,” Pressley said in a statement. “We won’t stand by while the Trump Administration continues to abduct students with legal status and attack our fundamental freedoms.”
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell called the video “disturbing.”
“Based on what we now know, it is alarming that the federal administration chose to ambush and detain her, apparently targeting a law-abiding individual because of her political views,” she said. “This isn’t public safety, it’s intimidation that will, and should, be closely scrutinized in court.”
Hundreds of people gather in Somerville, Mass., on March 26, 2025, to demand the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, who was arrested by federal agents Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Michael Casey)U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued an order giving the government until Friday to answer why Ozturk was being detained. Talwani also ordered that Ozturk not be moved outside the District of Massachusetts without 48 hours advance notice.
But as of Wednesday evening, the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s online detainee locater system listed her as being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana.
A senior DHS spokesperson confirmed Ozturk’s detention and the termination of her visa.
“DHS and (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) investigations found Ozturk engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization that relishes the killing of Americans. A visa is a privilege, not a right. Glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be terminated. This is commonsense security,” the spokesperson told the AP.
Hundreds of people gather in Somerville, Mass., on March 26, 2025, to demand the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, who was arrested by federal agents Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Michael Casey)‘She’s never spoken badly to anyone’Ozturk was one of four students last March who co-authored an op-ed piece in The Tufts Daily criticizing the university’s response to its community union Senate passing resolutions that demanded Tufts “acknowledge the Palestinian genocide,” disclose its investments and divest from companies with direct or indirect ties to Israel.
Friends said Ozturk was not otherwise closely involved in protests against Israel. But after the op-ed was published, her name, photograph and work history were featured by Canary Mission, a website that says it documents people who “promote hatred of the U.S.A., Israel and Jews on North American college campuses.” The op-ed was the only cited example of “anti-Israel activism” by Ozturk.
Related Articles Congressional Republicans target PBS, NPR funding in contentious hearing Panetta works to hear concerns from constituents about federal cuts Appeals court won’t halt order barring Trump administration from deportations under wartime law Trump’s executive order on elections is far-reaching. But will it actually stick? The ‘state secrets privilege’ sounds mysterious. Here’s what it is and how it worksStudents and faculty elsewhere also have recently had visas revoked or been blocked from entering the U.S. because they attended demonstrations or publicly expressed support for Palestinians. President Donald Trump’s administration has cited a seldom-invoked legal statute that authorizes the secretary of state to revoke visas of noncitizens who could be considered a threat to foreign policy interests.
Hundreds of people rallied in a Somerville park to support Ozturk on Wednesday, with speaker after speaker demanding her release and accusing both major political parties of failing to protect immigrants and stand up for Palestinians.
“Free Rumeysa Ozturk now,” the crowd chanted, along with traditional protest slogans such as “Free, free Palestine.” Many held Palestinian flags and homemade signs supporting her and opposing ICE.
Before attending Tufts, Ozturk graduated with a master’s degree from the Developmental Psychology program at Teachers College at Columbia University in New York, according to an alumni spotlight article in 2021.
Reyyan Bilge, a psychology professor at Northeastern University and friend, described Ozturk as a “soft spoken, kind and gentle soul” who is deeply focused on her research and not closely involved in the campus protests.
The two first met at Istanbul Sehir University, where Bilge supervised her thesis, before working together on cognitive research and co-publishing papers. They remained close after Ozturk arrived in the United States to continue her studies on a Fulbright Scholarship at Columbia in 2018.
“Over the 10 years I’ve known her, she’s never spoken badly to anyone else, let alone being antisemitic or racist,” Bilge said.
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Offenhartz reported from New York, and McCormack from Concord, New Hampshire.
Congressional Republicans target PBS, NPR funding in contentious hearing
By DAVID BAUDER, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A House Republican pushing the Trump administration’s government efficiency efforts called for dismantling and defunding the nation’s public broadcasting system following a contentious hearing Wednesday featuring the heads of PBS and NPR.
“We believe that you all can hate us on your own dime,” said Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Coupled with President Donald Trump’s declaration on Tuesday that he would “love to” see federal funding cut off, the nation’s public broadcasting system is facing perhaps the biggest threat to its existence since it was first established in 1967. The broadcasters get roughly half a billion dollars in public money through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Related Articles Turkish student at Tufts University detained, video shows masked people handcuffing her Panetta works to hear concerns from constituents about federal cuts Appeals court won’t halt order barring Trump administration from deportations under wartime law Trump’s executive order on elections is far-reaching. But will it actually stick? The ‘state secrets privilege’ sounds mysterious. Here’s what it is and how it worksRepublicans have frequently grumbled that PBS and NPR news programming leans left, but efforts to cut or eliminate funding usually fade because legislators want to protect their local stations — 336 of them for PBS alone, with those in rural areas most heavily dependent on taxpayer money.
The hearings on behalf of the new administration are one of multiple front on which Trump and his allies are aggressively challenging and in some cases sanctioning the American media, which the president has been sharply critical of for years.
This week alone, he denounced The Atlantic repeatedly for publishing texts from the Signal messaging app among high-ranking defense officials planning a military attack. Trump has also taken action against the Voice of America and other government-funded media and barred The Associated Press from the White House press pool and other events.
An issue that’s not going away quietlyA succession of GOP lawmakers on Wednesday complained bitterly about alleged bias, particularly from NPR stations, making clear it was not an issue that was going away quietly.
Kentucky Rep. James Comer said that as a young farmer decades ago he would frequently listen to NPR broadcasts on his tractor, as it was often his only option. But now, he has podcasts and other things to listen to.
“I don’t even recognize the station anymore,” Comer said. “It’s not news. It feels like it’s propaganda. I feel like it’s disinformation every time I listen to NPR.”
Greene displayed a picture of what she called a “drag queen” that appeared on a PBS program geared to children and complained about documentaries featuring transgender people. PBS chief executive Paula Kerger said the “drag queen” reference was about something mistakenly put on the New York PBS station’s website and never on the air. The transgender people appeared as part of adult programming that reflected the experiences of different Americans, she said.
Democrats characterized the hearing as a distraction from more important issues, like this week’s revelation that a journalist from the Atlantic was included in a text chain of Trump administration officials detailing a U.S. military strike in Yemen. “If shame was still a thing, this hearing would be shameful,” said Massachusetts Rep. Stephen Lynch.
Some Democrats tried comedy. California Rep. Robert Garcia asked if the red “Sesame Street” character, “is Elmo now, or has he ever been, a member of the Communist Party?”
“He’s a puppet,” Kerger said. “But, no.”
Admitting to some past mistakesThe broadcasting leaders acknowledged mistakes.
NPR President Katherine Maher said the radio network was wrong to dismiss what was on Hunter Biden’s laptop as a non-story. After they were repeatedly referenced by Republicans on the committee, Maher said she regretted posting some anti-Trump tweets before she began working for NPR.
Although saying she is not responsible for editorial content, Maher detailed efforts by NPR to ensure a variety of political viewpoints are represented. NPR’s weekly listenership declined from 60 million to 42 million between 2020 and 2024, according to internal documents published by The New York Times, although Maher said Wednesday those numbers have inched up in the past year.
“I do not believe we are politically biased,” Maher said. “We are a non-biased organization.”
Uri Berliner, a former NPR editor who quit last year after complaining the news outlet had become too one-sided, wrote in the Free Press on Wednesday that NPR should no longer accept taxpayer money so it can “drop the public from its mission statement and embrace the progressive.”
“Don’t try to conceal what everyone knows already,” he wrote.
Republican committee members noted that NPR has cited Wednesday’s hearing in fundraising appeals and Maher was asked whether the system would survive without public money. “It would be incredibly damaging to the national public radio system,” she said.
Kerger emphasized the service that PBS provides to local communities, particularly with its educational programming for children, and said she is worried for the future of its smaller stations.
“This,” she said, “is an existential moment for them.”
After the hearing, the Committee to Protect Journalists called NPR and PBS essential public services for millions of Americans.
“Casting them as propaganda machines undeserving of taxpayer support is a dangerous mischaracterization that threatens to rob Americans of the vital reporting they need to make decisions about their lives,” said Jodie Ginsberg, the committee’s CEO.
David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social
Daily News lawsuit vs. OpenAI, Microsoft to proceed after judge turns back motions
A Manhattan judge rejected a majority of motions by OpenAI and Microsoft to dismiss parts of a lawsuit accusing the tech companies of swiping stories from the New York Daily News, the New York Times and other newspapers to train their artificial intelligence products.
The Daily News, its affiliated newspapers in MediaNews Group and Tribune Publishing, the Times and the Center for Investigative Reporting have accused OpenAI and Microsoft of stealing millions of copyrighted news stories to benefit popular AI products like ChatGPT.
Manhattan Federal Judge Sidney Stein’s ruling Wednesday preserves the core elements of the lawsuit, which will now go forward to trial. While Stein rejected efforts to dismiss claims related to statute of limitations, trademark dilution and stripping content management information from the content in question, he dismissed CMI claims against Microsoft along with a secondary CMI claim against OpenAI, and one other unfair competition claim against both defendants. The judge dismissed additional claims for the Center for Investigative Reporting and the New York Times.
“We get to go forward with virtually all of our claims intact, including all of the copyright filings,” Steven Lieberman, a lawyer for The Daily News and the Times, said. “It’s a significant victory, albeit a preliminary stage of the case.”
A spokesperson for Microsoft declined to comment.
In a statement, a spokesperson for OpenAI said “hundreds of millions of people around the world rely on ChatGPT to improve their daily lives, inspire creativity, and to solve hard problems. We welcome the court’s dismissal of many of these claims and look forward to making it clear that we build our AI models using publicly available data, in a manner grounded in fair use, and supportive of innovation.”
Microsoft and OpenAI don’t deny they depend on copyrighted material, instead arguing that it’s under their rights to do so under the fair use doctrine. Under that doctrine, the use of copyrighted materials are permitted under certain circumstances, including using the materials for educational purposes.
The Daily News and affiliated newspapers filed the suit in 2024, challenging that notion, alleging the companies “simply take the work product of reporters, journalists, editorial writers, editors and others who contribute to the work of local newspapers — all without any regard for the efforts, much less the legal rights, of those who create and publish the news on which local communities rely.”
“This decision is a significant victory for us,” said Frank Pine, executive editor at MediaNews Group. “The court denied the majority of the dismissal motions filed by OpenAI and Microsoft. The claims the court has dismissed do not undermine the main thrust of our case, which is that these companies have stolen our work and violated our copyright in a way that fundamentally damages our business.”
The Daily News brought its suit alongside its sister newspapers, MediaNews Group’s The Mercury News, The Denver Post, The Orange County Register and the St. Paul Pioneer Press; and Tribune Publishing’s Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Pine also addressed recent efforts by Big Tech to lobby the Trump administration to weaken copyright protections.
“OpenAI lobbying the government to loosen copyright laws to make their thievery legal is shameful and un-American. They have a $150 billion valuation for a product they acknowledge could not have been built without the copyrighted content they stole from journalists, authors, poets, scholars and all manner of creatives and academics. Makers pay for their raw materials, and good businesses bolster their communities by creating economies and industries, not by destroying them.”
Microsoft and OpenAI are accused in the litigation of harming the newspapers’ subscription-based business model by misappropriating journalists’ work and providing it for free. The cases allege that the AI models also risk tarnishing reporters’ reputations by sometimes misstating their reporting or attributing it to others.
The papers are seeking unspecified damages, restitution of profits and a court order forcing the companies to stop using their materials to train chatbots.
“We look forward to presenting a jury with all the facts regarding OpenAI and Microsoft copying and improper use of the content of newspapers across the country,” Lieberman said.
