Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 179

Panetta works to hear concerns from constituents about federal cuts

MONTEREY – Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, has been trying to give his constituents plenty of opportunities to have their voices heard, holding 13 public forums so far as the response to the Trump Administration’s policies and positions grows louder.

“I’m proud to have held as many town halls and public engagements as I have in such a short period of time,” said Panetta in a press release, “bringing people together, listening to them, and working with them so that we can continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to protect federal services and defend our values.”

Panetta represents the 19th Congressional District, encompassing a large portion of the Central Coast, including the Monterey Peninsula. He has had a series of town halls, listening sessions and roundtable discussions in rapid succession since the beginning of the new presidential administration. His public engagement with constituents has focused on the Trump Administration’s potential cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, federal jobs, federal funding for research, and more.

“Unfortunately we have an administration, you have Elon Musk, and you have DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), that is doing nothing but providing chaos, confusion and uncertainty, and that’s why we have to continue to stand strong, stand up, and step forward when it comes to pushing back on this administration,” said Panetta at a press conference held after a closed-door listening session last week in Monterey. Panetta met and heard from federal employees who have been part of mass terminations by the Trump Administration, as well as those public servants still under threat.

“You had a range of emotions from these employees who are now working,” said Panetta after the listening session. “And that is one of the reasons why they are not here in front of the cameras, but also those who are on probationary status and had been let go.

“… with the confusion that is surrounding whether or not they’re rehired, on administrative leave, or brought back, they just don’t know, so a lot of them felt uncomfortable being here to answer questions with you,” he said, referring to the media.

Panetta has held 13 town halls, including eight public and five virtual town halls. According to an Associated Press story from March 4, House Speaker Mike Johnson is encouraging Republican lawmakers to skip town halls that have been filled with protesters decrying the Trump administration’s slashing of federal government, echoing the president’s claims that the demonstrations are fueled by professional protesters.

Panetta hosted numerous events last week, including a Social Security Town Hall with former Commissioner Martin O’Malley to discuss the Administration’s overhaul of the Social Security Administration and its impact on earned benefits. The event, conducted virtually, allowed participation from thousands of constituents across the district Panetta represents.

In an interview with WBAL News Radio in Baltimore on March 8, O’Malley said, “They (Trump Administration) are paying people to leave early, firing people for cause, even though they have no reason to fire them. The sharp, immediate, and fast reductions of the people that maintain the systems for payments, for claims processing, and everything else that goes into Social Security, I do believe it’s going to crater the agency and lead to a system collapse in the months ahead.”

Panetta also hosted the federal employee listening session in Monterey, a Social Security Town Hall to discuss the threat to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid posed by proposed budget cuts, and a roundtable discussion on the National Institutes of Health that convened leaders and researchers addressing the severe impacts of the ongoing federal funding freeze on scientific progress. The conversation focused on the Administration’s funding freeze, its generational effects on university research and strategies to push back against these setbacks and support future scientific endeavors.

A Medicaid Town Hall was hosted by Panetta to discuss the potential impacts of the proposed cuts to Medicaid.

Federal cuts to Medicaid would have a significant impact on Natividad Hospital in Salinas, given that a substantial portion of hospital revenue comes from Medicaid reimbursements. If proposed reductions – ranging from 30% to 54% – are implemented, hospitals across the country, including Natividad, would face revenue losses, potential staff reductions and increased uncompensated care costs.

Panetta said last week that with all this uncertainty and confusion, there are systems that are working, including the United States’ system of checks and balances.

“We’re winning in the courts and we’ll continue to win as long as we continue to have this fight, and then eventually it’s mobilization,” said Panetta, who will return to Washington this week. “Making sure that people understand how important it is to get out there, make it be known, not just with roundtables like this, but actually letting their representatives know in other areas … they have to push back on their representatives. And basically it comes down to a question of are you more loyal to Donald Trump and Elon Musk and DOGE, or are you loyal to the constituents of your district?

“And that’s the question those representatives are going to have to answer.”

Monterey Bay Aquarium to welcome new resident otter

MONTEREY – The Monterey Bay Aquarium is set to welcome a new resident sea otter in the coming weeks – but first, they are asking the community for help choosing her name.

The newest sea otter is joining the aquarium after being found as a three-week-old pup stranded near San Luis Obispo in February last year. The otter has been deemed unreleasable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to a press release sent out Monday. While she is currently living behind the scenes with other rescued otters undergoing rehabilitation, Aquarium staff are preparing her to join the other resident sea otters: Ivy, Ruby and Selka.

Monterey Bay Aquarium staff name the sea otters to make training easier. Names must be easy for the otters to learn and recognize and must sound distinct from each other. The new sea otter has been described as smart, confident and protective by the sea otter team. The team has chosen three name options which can be voted on:

• Hazel, a name associated with wisdom as the hazel tree is considered the Tree of Knowledge in many cultures, to represent her intelligence.

• Opal, described by the Aquarium as a “colorful name for the playful sea otter,” which is often associated with the gemstone and has many ocean-related references.

• Quinn, which comes from the Old Irish words for “head” or “chief” and matches the otter’s confidence, protectiveness and sassy side.

Voting began at noon Wednesday and will close Thursday at noon. Those who wish to have a say in the new otter’s name can cast their vote on the .

The new otter will serve as a species ambassador at the Aquarium’s Sea Otter Exhibit and livecam. Additionally, she can help other orphaned pups in the future as part of the sea otter surrogacy program, which the Herald took a deep dive into as part of our 40th anniversary series.

The Sea Otter Program works to help the threatened species recover; sea otters play a role in maintaining healthy marine habitat by helping restore wetlands and protect kelp forests. The Aquarium also recently built the Sea Otter Conservation Center, a new behind-the-scenes facility that expands the program’s on-site capacity, enabling the ability to rescue and rehabilitate more sea otters.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is set to welcome a new resident otter to the raft, but first they are asking for the community to help name her in a 24-hour poll on their website, closing at noon Thursday. (Photo courtesy of the Monterey Bay Aquarium)

Trump administration says it will pull back billions in COVID funding from local health departments

By LAURA UNGAR, Associated Press

Federal health officials said Tuesday they are pulling back $11.4 billion in COVID-19-related funds for state and local public health departments and other health organizations throughout the nation.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago,” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement.

The statement said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects to recover the money beginning 30 days after termination notices, which began being sent out on Monday.

FILE – A sign marks the entrance to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, on Oct. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Officials said the money was largely used for COVID-19 testing, vaccination and global projects as well as community health workers responding to COVID and a program established in 2021 to address COVID health disparities among high-risk and underserved patients, including those in minority populations. The move was first reported by NBC News.

Lori Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County & City Health Officials, said much of the funding was set to end soon anyway. “It’s ending in the next six months,” she said. “There’s no reason — why rescind it now? It’s just cruel and unusual behavior.”

In a related move, more than two dozen COVID-related research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health have been canceled. Earlier this month, the Trump administration shut down ordering from covidtest.gov, the site where Americans could have COVID-19 tests delivered to their mailboxes for no charge.

Although the COVID federal public health emergency has ended, the virus is still killing Americans: 458 people per week on average have died from COVID over the past four weeks, according to CDC data.

HHS wouldn’t provide many details about how the federal government expects to recover the money from what it called “impacted recipients.” But HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said in an email: “The $11.4 billion is undisbursed funds remaining.”

Freeman said her understanding is that state health departments already had the COVID money.

“The funding was authorized by Congress, was appropriated by Congress, and it was out the door, basically, into the hands of the grantees” — states, she said, which decide how to distribute it locally.

Some of the COVID money is used to address other public health issues, Freeman added. For example, wastewater surveillance that began during COVID became important for detecting other diseases, too.

“It was being used in significant ways to track flu and patterns of new disease and emerging diseases — and even more recently with the measles outbreak,” Freeman said.

Under both the first Trump administration and the Biden administration, billions of dollars was allocated for COVID response through legislation, including a COVID relief bill and the American Rescue Plan Act.

At this point, it’s unclear exactly how health departments will be affected by the pullback of funds. But some were starting to look at what it might mean for them. In Washington state, for example, health officials were notified that more than $125 million in COVID-related funding has been immediately terminated. They are “assessing the impact” of the actions, they said.

In Los Angeles County, health officials said they could lose more than $80 million in core funding for vaccinations and other services. “Much of this funding supports disease surveillance, public health lab services, outbreak investigations, infection control activities at healthcare facilities and data transparency,” a department official wrote in an email.

Associated Press reporters Mike Stobbe in New York, JoNel Aleccia in Temecula, California, Carla K. Johnson in Seattle and Amanda Seitz in Washington, D.C. contributed to this story.

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

Top men’s mountain bikes for off-road adventures

WHAT IS THE BEST MEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE?

Few combinations are better than exercise and nature. Improving your physical health while taking in the beauty of the physical world is fun and easy with a mountain bike.

Cycling is a popular pastime, and mastering the trails at your favorite park or course is what mountain bikes are for. There are many different styles of mountain bikes — even electronic bikes so that people of all abilities can enjoy the ride. The best mountain bike is the SB140 CLR GX Eagle AXS 29in Mountain Bike due to its durability and extra smooth ride.

What to know before you buy a men’s mountain bikeWhich type of bike do you need?

Mountain bikes are for off-road riding. If you are regularly hitting the trails, you will need a mountain bike with the design and components to absorb the bumps and jumps on the path. Some people prefer mountain bikes for navigating downtown or a leisurely ride. There also are fat bikes designed for sand and snow. Electric mountain bikes assist with pedaling for those who want a little extra boost.

Which type of frame do you need?

Rigid bikes do not have suspensions. Instead, they rely on spoked wheels and pneumatic tires for shock absorption. Rigid-framed bikes are usually less expensive and have fewer maintenance issues. Hardtail frames have spring suspension on the front of the bike. This improves shock absorption and can be adjusted on some higher-end models. Hardtail frames are common for lower and middle-priced bikes. Full suspension frames have suspension at both ends of the bike, which provides the most control and comfort. Full suspension frames are heavier and the most expensive. They are typically used by competitive mountain bikers.

Which material is best for your bike?

There are three metals used to make mountain bikes. The lighter the metal, the more expensive it is. Steel is the heaviest and the standard for lower-cost bikes. Aluminum alloy is found in many mid-priced bikes. Carbon fiber is the lightest metal but expensive. If you aren’t racing competitively, steel or aluminum alloy should suffice.

What to look for in a quality men’s mountain bikeWheels

Wheels have changed over time. Some bikes with 26-inch wheels, which used to be the standard, but now there are wheels that measure from 27 to over 29 inches. Larger wheels make the bike faster but also harder to control. The new standard is 27.5 inches. The best wheel for your bike depends on how you plan to use it.

Gears

Beginner mountain bikes usually have five to seven gears, but there are many bikes with more than that. More gears provide more options to make climbing hills easier. Fat bikes can have as many as 30 gears to help move through thicker terrain.

Brakes

Rim brakes, which grab the outside edge of the wheel, are reliable and efficient. They are very common but can struggle when the bike is wet or muddy. Disc brakes are more expensive and fare better with off-road conditions. They can be cable or hydraulically operated.

How much you can expect to spend on a men’s mountain bike

Beginner mountain bikes cost between $200-$500, have minimal features and are primarily intended for leisure. Active bikers should consider mountain bikes between $500-$1,500 that provide most of the options you would need for frequent biking outings. Higher-end mountain bikes made from ultralight carbon and electric mountain bikes run from $2,500 to as high as $10,000.

Men’s mountain bike FAQDo mountain bikes come with a warranty?

A. Yes, mountain bikes have a warranty, but the parameters vary widely by manufacturer. The length of the warranty can be one to 10 years. Some warranties have exclusions, such as if the bike was altered in any way, if you crash the bike or even normal wear and tear. Read your manufacturer’s warranty closely so that you know what is covered.

Do mountain bikes wear out quickly?

A. Even though mountain bikes can take a beating on the trails, they are built for the long haul. When parts fail, the most typical thing to look for are faulty brakes. Look over the pads for excessive wear, as well as the cables and hydraulics.

Check your tire tread regularly, too, for punctures or a needed replacement. 

What’s the best men’s mountain bike to buy?Top men’s mountain bike

SB140 CLR GX Eagle AXS 29in Mountain Bike

What you need to know: Designed for the rider who bikes regularly, this high-quality mountain bike is smooth and efficient.

What you’ll love: Made from lightweight and strong C/series carbon, this mountain bike is built for hills and turns. It features Crank Brothers Enduro Synthesis wheels for good grip in the front and stability in the back and strong brakes for quick stopping. It is highly rated for its durability.

What you should consider: This is one of the higher-priced mountain bikes and is not intended for beginners.

Top men’s mountain bike for the money

Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike

What you need to know: An affordable bike from a leading brand, this bike is perfect for beginners.

What you’ll love: This bike has an alloy crank for steady gearing and twist shifters with a rear derailleur. It features wide knobby mountain tires on alloy wheels intended for all terrains. The seat is easily adjusted.

What you should consider: Assembling the bike can prove challenging for people who are not mechanically inclined.

Worth checking out

Mongoose Dolomite Men’s Fat Tire Mountain Bike

What you need to know: This bike features a sturdy frame with extra-large knobby tires for riding on any terrain.

What you’ll love: The steel frame is designed for bumps, and supersized tires can handle about any off-road trail. There are disc brakes in the front and back with beach cruiser pedals for extra comfort. Seven speeds make it easy to climb hills.

What you should consider: The seat included with this bike is not very comfortable, according to some riders.

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

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The best disc golf driver

Which disc golf driver is best?

Disc golf is far more nuanced than it may seem, requiring a fleet of specialized discs at the highest level of play. Among the most critical types of discs is the driver. It comes in a few varieties that can be used for the longest shots off the tee or for gliding farther down the fairway.

The best disc golf driver is the Discraft Buzzz Elite Z Golf Disc. It’s designed for use by anyone of any skill level and is sturdy enough to last but soft enough for gentle landings.

What to know before you buy a disc golf driverTypes of disc golf drivers

There are two types of disc golf drivers: distance and fairway.

Distance drivers require the most skill to use efficiently, but they can also travel the farthest of any disc. However, they tend to curve during flight rather than stay straight.Fairway, or control, drivers require less skill to keep them gliding straight and far. They’re perfect for beginners in all cases and let pros closely control their game.Flight numbers

Disc golf drivers have a set of four numbers that indicate how a disc flies.

Speed tells how hard you must throw a disc to maintain its intended flight pattern. Drivers typically have speeds of 7-14.Glide tells how long a disc can stay in the air. High glides can go the distance but are the most affected by wind.Turn tells how likely a disc is to bend one way and then hook toward the other way, making an S-curve. The lower the number, the more likely it is that a turn will happen.Fade tells how likely the disc is to curve toward the end of the throw. The higher the number, the more intense it can hook.What to look for in a quality disc golf driverPlastic

Disc manufacturers use a range of plastics to make drivers and frequently use special names, making it easier to examine the material in terms of hardness.

Hard plastic is the most durable and glides the smoothest. However, it can be challenging to maintain a good grip.Soft plastic discs are easier to grip and maintain your control, but they fly slower and less far. They also skip less and don’t last as long.Rubber is rarely used, but it can be useful for those who struggle to keep a close grip on their driver. It’s moderately durable, too.Weight

Driver weight is most linked to your skill level.

Light drivers of 150 to 165 grams are better for beginners. It takes less power to control them, and they fly farther distances. However, they are easily affected by wind.Heavy drivers of 165 to 175-plus grams are better for pros. It takes more power to control them, but they’re easier to control and more predictable.How much you can expect to spend on a disc golf driver

Most disc golf drivers cost $10-$15. Players of any skill can use discs in this price range, and they are built to last. The best drivers start at $15 and go up in price the better the material is. Some drivers cost less than $10, but these are entirely meant for beginners.

Disc golf driver FAQDoes it matter if I throw backhanded or forehanded?

A. That depends on your skill level. If you’re starting out and you’re trying to keep your shots straight, you should throw in whichever manner is the most comfortable for you. If you’re trying to develop advanced skills, throwing backhanded and forehanded will help the driver to curve in opposite directions.

How long does a disc golf driver last?

A. That depends on how often you use it and the quality of its design. The average driver can last for years if you treat it properly, and it can actually get easier to use the more you break it in. It will eventually become too broken in to function optimally, and only then will you need a new one.

What’s the best disc golf driver to buy?Top disc golf driver

Discraft Buzzz Elite Z Golf Disc

What you need to know: This driver is a great choice for players of all skill levels.

What you’ll love: It’s designed for midrange throws and comes in three weights. The clean designs and simple curves help maintain this driver’s accuracy in most weather conditions. The plastic is sturdy enough to last but soft enough to prevent damage from errant throws.

What you should consider: You cannot specify what color you want, and instead, you’re just shipped one at random. A few of the more advanced consumers felt the plastic was average.

Top disc golf driver for the money

Westside Discs Origio Burst Underworld Fairway Disc Golf Driver

What you need to know: It’s affordable, effective and sports a rad skull design.

What you’ll love: It has a speed rating of 7, a glide rating of 6, a turn rating of -3 and a fade rating of 1. The flattop profile and narrow rim are designed with beginners in mind to help them maintain control of their throws.

What you should consider: The helmeted skull design isn’t for everyone. It isn’t as sturdy as more advanced drivers — hard landings on concrete can chip the rim.

Worth checking out

Axiom Discs Proton Insanity Disc Golf Driver

What you need to know: It’s a good driver that’s available in whichever weight best suits your experience.

What you’ll love: It comes in five weights, from the ultralight 150-160 gram to the heavy 170-175 gram. Axiom Discs uses a special plastic called “Proton,” which has high durability to withstand even the harshest conditions. It uses aerodynamics and a trademarked GYRO system for accuracy.

What you should consider: Any throws outside standard straight or curved shots are hard to accomplish. The center is clear, making it difficult to find in the grass.

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

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

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

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Horoscopes March 26, 2025: Keira Knightley, rely on your devices and you won’t be disappointed

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Keira Knightley, 40; Kenny Chesney, 57; Martin Short, 75; Steven Tyler, 77.

Happy Birthday: Rely on your devices, and you won’t be disappointed. Avoid snap decisions, impulsive purchases and neglecting situations that could lead to unnecessary costs. Take care of red tape issues, expiration dates and matters concerning how you earn, use and invest your money. Don’t neglect your emotional and social needs. Sign up for things you enjoy doing and participate in life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Respect and love yourself. Your numbers are 6, 9, 17, 24, 32, 41, 49.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Choose the path that leads to self-awareness, personal growth and gratitude. Take an energetic approach to whatever you do, and you’ll drum up enthusiasm and a following that supports and encourages your efforts. Refuse to let emotions take over when making financial choices. Focus on routine, stability and economic security. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Consider your next move and contemplate what’s best for you. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something that doesn’t feel right. Put your energy into adding to your qualifications or picking up skills or knowledge to encourage higher earning potential. Adjust your surroundings to make life easier or less stressful. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take inventory and consider what’s essential and what you can let go of. Hanging on to stuff, emotions and spaces irrelevant to your well-being or lifestyle will detract from what you want or are meant to do next. Pay more attention to your needs, desires and lifestyle. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Turn up the volume and dance to the rhythm of the music. Choose your path and put your energy into what brings the most joy, and you’ll have no regrets. Complaining wastes time if you don’t follow through and adjust your life to suit your needs. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Steer clear of joint financial ventures or taking on someone else’s burdens. You can offer support without paying for someone else’s mistakes. Take more time to explore interests that excite you, and the people you encounter will help you realize your potential. It’s never too late to try something new. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Participate in groups that share your concerns. The people you encounter will help you find your purpose and encourage you to use your skills in new and exciting ways. The friendships you build will change your perspective regarding life, love and happiness. Live in the moment and explore the possibilities. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Look at every possibility before deciding on what you want to do or where you want to go. Be creative, think outside the box and do what suits you best. You don’t have to accommodate anyone but yourself. Set a course that puts a smile on your face and passion in your heart. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A change will do you good. Pick a destination that intrigues you or brings you back to roots that help you remember your dreams, hopes and wishes. Take the time to reach out to people you lost touch with that made you laugh, think and live life to the fullest. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put your wallet in your pocket. You can’t buy love. If someone asks for too much, know enough to decline. Focus on what matters to you and the people who fit into your lifestyle and cherish the same pastimes and beliefs. Invest time and money into yourself and your surroundings. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put more energy and effort into meeting new people or relationships that are meaningful to you. Attend a reunion, chat with old friends and revisit old dreams. You are overdue for a change that will put the sparkle back in your eye and encourage you to set new and exciting goals. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Never say never. Don’t underestimate the power of positive thoughts and the ability to make things happen. Let your innovative imagination take over, and you won’t be disappointed with the ideas that sprout. Turn your thoughts into a reality using your skills and ideas to launch something that brings you joy. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): When uncertainty arises, find a solution. Set your sights on your goal and forge ahead with enthusiasm. The only thing standing between you and what you want is time, patience and a desire to make your dream come true. Trust and believe in your abilities. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, energetic and accommodating. You are appealing and creative.

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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SF Giants cap spring with MLB-best 21st win vs. Tigers. Does it matter?

SAN FRANCISCO — Not long into his first spring training as the Giants’ new manager, Bob Melvin was mad. Even though the games didn’t count, his team had played six of them and had yet to enjoy a postgame handshake line. He wanted to win.

“No one’s going to remember it, but we remember it right now, and every game you suit up for, you go out there to win,” Melvin fumed to reporters last February. “So no, (I’m not happy). We need to play better.”

There was no such issue this spring, which the Giants finished off under the Tuesday afternoon sun in the same fashion as most of their previous 30 exhibitions.

Jordan Hicks pitched an efficient five-plus innings, Tyler Fitzgerald smacked a two-run homer and scored a run, and the Giants beat the Tigers, 4-3. In their final tuneup for the regular season, they got to slap hands on the infield grass for the 21st time since they began Cactus League play last month.

“This is the best record I’ve probably ever been a part of with any team in spring training,” Hicks said.

Now, the big question.

Does it matter?

“It’s new territory, but I feel like it’s more about the energy, how everybody’s playing, getting better,” Hicks said. “I feel like we’re making a lot of good progress and moving in the right direction. I feel like the energy is there. There’s something to be excited about in here. We’ve got playoff energy.”

“It certainly lends to a better mood in camp,” Melvin said this week. “It’s never a bad thing to win some games going forward. Especially (because) we have some new guys here, we have a little different style we’re trying to play, we have a new front office. So I think it just lends to a better feeling when you have a good spring.”

There’s typically little correlation between spring success and an awesome autumn, however.

Of the 20 teams to win the American or National League pennant over the past decade, 15 finished the exhibition schedule with a record of .500 or better. Three World Series champions over that time also took home spring training titles, including last year’s Dodgers. The runner-up in last year’s Cactus League, though? The Colorado Rockies, who parlayed that 17-12 record into a last-place finish in the NL West.

And when it comes to the fortunes of the spring training champions, it’s even more random. Take the Cardinals, who won the Grapefruit League in 2022 and went on to win the NL Central; they repeated as spring champs in 2023 but cratered into a last-place finish. Or the Angels; they haven’t made the playoffs since 2014 but have won the Cactus League three times in that span.

Sometimes it is a true sign of things to come, though, such as in 2010, the last time the Giants claimed the Cactus League crown.

Nobody considered them true contenders going into the season but posted a 23-12 record that spring and went on to win the first of three World Series titles in five years.

The 2012 team finished spring 18-15; in 2014, they went 17-10. Maybe you’re thinking there just might be something to this. Introducing the 2017 Giants, who also won 20 games in Cactus League play before limping to a 64-98 record in the regular season, the last time they finished in fifth place.

So, what will it take for these Giants turn it on when it counts?

“Just clean baseball,” Melvin said after their win in the spring finale. “There was an emphasis on the little things, the marginal things. Strike throwing. Situational at-bats. Understanding what that particular at-bat, that particular pitch, that particular time of game — what the scoreboard is telling you.

“But as far as the pitchers go, you look at the numbers across the board. Fewest walks. Getting ahead. It went throughout camp, and the coaches stayed on it. They stayed on the position players about these situational at-bats in close games. You get a lot of close games in this ballpark. If you don’t beat yourself and you’re clean defensively and you do the little things right, you’re going to win a lot of games like that.

“So look, it’s still just spring training. But a lot of the things we did add up to winning baseball games, and we saw it this spring.”

With the exception of Hicks, Melvin penciled in a lineup Tuesday that should resemble the one he hands to the home plate umpire Thursday in Cincinnati.

LaMonte Wade Jr. ripped a double out of the leadoff spot. Willy Adames upped his spring average to .333 with a 1-for-3 performance out of the two-hole. Batting third, Jung Hoo Lee went hitless but proved he was good to go health-wise. Matt Chapman looked like a cleanup hitter, finishing the spring tied for the Cactus League lead in home runs with a .400 batting average.

After leading off with a home run against a lefty on Monday, Heliot Ramos slid down to fifth, followed by catcher Patrick Bailey, Wilmer Flores as the designated hitter and Mike Yastrzemski in right field. And Fitzgerald provided the bulk of their offense from the nine-hole, ripping a two-run home run to left-center in the third inning and scoring the go-ahead run in the seventh on Grant McCray’s single up the middle.

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The next time Hicks toes the rubber will be in Houston, his hometown, where he has never pitched before.

He needed only 63 pitches to complete five-plus innings against the Tigers, pitching to contact while his fastball sat in the upper 90s. He struck out three, walked one and surrendered three hits — but one found the seats, a hanging slider that Justyn-Henry Malloy deposited for a solo home run in the second inning.

Hicks finished spring with a 5.19 ERA overall but allowed only three runs on six hits with one walk over his final two starts, a 2.53 mark.

“At the end it was really good,” Melvin said. “I think he knows that if he throws it over the plate with his sinker and he gets ground balls early in the game, he’s going to have a lot of success.”

Jimmy Butler booed in return to Miami as Heat lock up Warriors

MIAMI — Every time Jimmy Butler touched the ball, he heard it from the Kaseya Center crowd. His dribbles served as percussion to a chorus of boos.

He’d heard that song before, in Philadelphia and in Minnesota after leaving those teams under suboptimal circumstances. But he didn’t make the same level of impact there as he did in Miami.

The same fans who fell in love with him as he carried the Heat to their best years since the Heatles era jeered him. The mercurial superstar publicly beefed with team president Pat Riley — and vice versa — and got slapped with three separate team suspensions this year after he requested a trade. Apparently, despite the perennial postseason heroics, the fans had had enough.

“I’m always painted as the bad guy,” Butler said the day before the game. “Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve always been a problem. So, we’ll take it. I don’t got nothing to say. I’m not mad at being a bad guy.”

No matter how the polarizing wing was received, the Warriors’ loss hurts more. Golden State (41-31) never led in their 112-86 blowout. Steph Currys’ pelvic contusion prevented him from supporting his new teammate and the Warriors’ offense suffered for it. The Warriors starters missed their first 14 3-pointers and the team put out its second-lowest scoring total of the season.

“I see it for what it is — the chapter has ended,” said Butler, who tallied 11 points on 5-for-12 shooting. “A new one has begun. But, like I always say, I’m very appreciative for my time here. For the bonds I built here. When you look down the road, this was a huge part of my career. So I continue to say I’m very grateful.”

Bam Adebayo led the Heat with a monster two-way game, finishing with 27 points and eight rebounds. Andrew Wiggins, the 2022 NBA champion with the Warriors, likewise made an impact on both ends with 10 points, five assists and five rebounds. The Warriors have dropped both of their first two games of their ongoing six-game road, with Curry expected to return on Friday in New Orleans.

“I think Friday, Friday is our biggest game of the year,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “We’ve lost two games in a row, very poor performances. It’s time, we’ve got to bounce back. That’s what good teams do and I’m confident we’ll do that.”

Butler’s former head coach, Erik Spoelstra, said he looks back fondly at the past five-plus years before the trade. In this increasingly transient league, Butler’s chapter with the Heat — two NBA Finals berths and a swath of legendary playoff moments — should, with time, supersede his messy exit.

But that divorce was still fresh on many Heat fans’ minds. Even if it didn’t compare to the infamous “cupcake” game Kevin Durant and the Warriors experienced in Oklahoma City in 2017.

“Miami is a great place to live, so people don’t ever seem too amped up around here,” Kerr said postgame. “They’re living the good life. It really wasn’t that rabid of an environment, it was typical Miami. I think the main part of Jimmy’s return was the Heat were ready. And Spo had them ready.”

There was some curiosity within the Warriors as to whether the Heat would even prepare a video for Butler given how his relationship with Riley soured. The Heat, after all, don’t do anything of significance without Riley’s approval.

Yet there it flashed on the jumbotron, a one-minute ode to Butler’s fierce competitiveness and tendency to rise in the playoffs. Butler watched from the visitor’s bench, acknowledging it to a mix of boos and cheers.

The crowd erupted when Wiggins — the former Warrior — stripped Butler on a fast break early in the first quarter.

“You could sense it on both sides,” Wiggins said postgame. “Always when you play a former teammate or a former team, there’s extra motivation.”

Adebayo was primarily defending Butler, leading a charged-up defense. Miami forced two shot clock violations and a five-second call in the first six minutes of the game.

On Butler drives, at least two Miami defenders would help into the paint, closing off paths to the cup.

“They sent a lot of double teams and I don’t think we adjusted well,” Draymond Green said postgame.

Adebayo was also Miami’s most consistent source of offense. Butler’s only All-Star teammate during his five seasons in Miami, Adebayo beat Draymond Green’s ball pressure with a crossover and dunk before euro-stepping on a fast break.

Like the Chase Center fans were jubilant when Butler notched a game-sealing block last week against the Raptors, the Heat fans went crazy when Kel’el Ware stuffed Butler at the rim.

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Butler started 1-for-6 from the floor as the Warriors fell behind by 17. In the second quarter, Golden State went five straight minutes without a field goal.

Tyler Herro’s corner 3 at the buzzer gave Miami a 57-40 halftime lead. The Heat held Golden State to 14-for-40 (35%) shooting in the half and forced eight turnovers. By stymying Butler, the Heat short-circuited the Warriors’ offensive engine.

Butler scored six quick points to re-energize the second half and the Warriors defense turned the Heat over five times in the third quarter. Golden State’s bench, with Kevon Looney in the mix to contend with Miami’s frontcourt, cut a 20-point deficit to eight.

Miami’s defense remained stout, though. The Warriors committed five turnovers in the first two-and-a-half minutes of the fourth quarter. They shot 9-for-38 (23.7%) from behind the arc, sorely missing Curry. They’re a top-10 offense with Curry and rank 30th in offensive ratings without him.

The Warriors subbed out Butler, for good, facing a 20-point hole with 7:06 left. The fans didn’t even realize in the moment they’d already seen the last of him for the year.

Butler might’ve been the bad guy to the Heat fans in the arena, but he didn’t antagonize them. The Warriors didn’t give him a chance to. As some of his teammates embraced Wiggins on the court after the final horn, Butler dapped up a couple friends courtside and bolted for the locker room.

“The video was nice,” Butler said. “I won’t say that there’s a lot of emotion. I went into this thing level-headed and wanted to win the game, but it didn’t go the way we planned.”

Lou Trivino, out of MLB since 2022, earns SF Giants’ final bullpen spot

SAN FRANCISCO — Three years since he last stepped on a big-league mound, Lou Trivino will be in the Giants’ bullpen on Opening Day.

Trivino and Spencer Bivens both overcame long odds to claim the final two spots in manager Bob Melvin’s relief corps. The eight-man bullpen group came into clearer view in the past 24 hours, as Melvin announced both pitchers had made the team while Sean Hjelle was optioned to Triple-A.

Trivino, a non-roster invitee, had to be added to the 40-man roster. David Villar, who was out of options, was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Melvin previously managed Trivino in Oakland, when he was one of the top relievers in the American League, and is well aware of his long road back from Tommy John surgery. But while he acknowledged it was “gratifying” to inform the 33-year-old that he made the roster because of those circumstances, “it’s about what makes our team better.

“Nothing was given to him,” Melvin said of Trivino, who struck out 10 and didn’t surrender a run in nine Cactus League appearances. “He came in with an opportunity to make the team and he made it. … I think that’s what he feels best about, coming in here and pitching well and having basically a clean spring.”

Debuting in 2018, Trivino went on to appear in 69 games with a 2.91 ERA as a rookie for Melvin’s Athletics, earned the closer’s role in 2021 and remained in Oakland up until the trade deadline in 2022, when he was sent to the Yankees along with Frankie Montas. He appeared in 25 games with a 1.66 ERA for the Yankees but was diagnosed with an elbow strain the following spring and hasn’t made it back to the majors since.

“You kind of always know it’s going to happen, but when it actually happens, it’s pretty special,” Trivino said of his long road back. “It’s been a long time. You take a lot of things in this game for granted, especially when you’re in the thick of it, but to reflect these past two years and really not be on a big league field again, it’s special and I’m very grateful.”

When he reported to camp last spring, Bivens may have felt even further from stepping on a big league mound. Now 31 years old, Bivens’ journey through the independent leagues has been well documented but makes his ascension over the past year no less impressive. Like Trivino this year, Bivens wasn’t on the 40-man roster last spring and was simply appreciated having a locker in a major-league clubhouse for the first time, Melvin said.

After making his major-league debut last July, Bivens impressed enough — posting a 3.14 ERA in 27 games between the bullpen and starting rotation — that it was only a mild surprise when Melvin named him to the roster following Monday night’s 6-4 exhibition win over the Tigers.

“The story is great, but the performance is what got him to the big leagues and kept him here — and the versatility is something that you don’t often get,” Melvin said. “We saw him go five innings in a start last year, he came in with guys on base at times. He’s basically done everything for us.”

There will be a fair amount of familiar faces from a bullpen that was asked to take down the most innings in the National League a year ago, albeit with a 3.96 ERA that ranked 15th in MLB.

Bivens and Trivino will both be asked to get left-handed hitters out with Erik Miller serving as the only lefty in the group. Ryan Walker will reprise his role as closer. Tyler Rogers, Camilo Doval and Randy Rodríguez return as high-leverage options. Hayden Birdsong, who missed out on the final rotation spot, rounds out the bullpen.

“We’ve got a lot of really, really good arms,” Melvin said. “A lot of talk has been about, you know, only one lefty. But we feel like we’ve got some righties who can get lefties out. We’ve got some power arms. And we’ve got some guys that kind of emerged last year, too. So in that respect, we feel good about where we are and we feel good about the depth of the bullpen, too, that we have in development right now.”

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It was just two springs ago that Villar looked to be the Giants’ third baseman of the future.

That trajectory, however, has not played out, and the 28-year-old corner infielder found himself buried on the depth chart in San Francisco and out of options to be sent to the minor leagues. Casey Schmitt, Brett Wisely, Osleivis Basabe and Christian Koss are likely to be the Giants’ first options when it comes to infield depth.

Villar set the league on fire with eight home runs over the final month of the 2022 season but hasn’t reached those heights since, slugging six total homers while batting .170 with a .589 OPS over sparse opportunities the past two seasons.

“I hope he gets a big-league job and I hope the change of scenery is good for him because there’s still a talent level there,” Melvin said. “There’s a tremendous amount of power, he can play first and third. Sometimes you get bogged down in an organization and it doesn’t feel like there’s an avenue, so hopefully it’s better for him.”

Republicans look to rein in courts, judges as Trump rails against rulings

By LISA MASCARO

WASHINGTON (AP) — Angry over the crush of court rulings against the Trump administration, Republicans in Congress are trying to slap back at the federal judiciary with proposals to limit the reach of its rulings, cut funding and even impeach judges, tightening the GOP’s grip on government.

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House GOP leaders say all options are under consideration as they rush to rein in judges who are halting President Donald Trump’s actions at a rapid pace. In many cases, the courts are questioning whether the firings of federal workers, freezing of federal funds and shuttering of long-running federal offices are unlawful actions by the executive branch and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

In perhaps the most high-profile case, Judge James E. Boasberg ordered planeloads of deported immigrants to be turned around, raising the ire of Trump, who called for his impeachment, and billionaire Musk, who is funneling campaign cash to House Republicans backing impeachment efforts. The president calls the judges “lunatics.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that “desperate times call for desperate measures” without mentioning impeachment.

“We do have authority over the federal courts, as you know,” the Republican speaker said. “We can eliminate an entire district court. We have power of funding over the courts, and all these other things.”

Not yet 100 days into the new administration, the unusual attack on the federal judiciary is the start of what is expected to be a protracted battle between the co-equal branches of government, unmatched in modern memory. As the White House tests the judiciary, trying to bend it to Trump’s demands, the Congress, controlled by the president’s own Republican Party, appears ready to back him up.

It all comes as the Supreme Court last summer granted the executive broad immunity from prosecution, setting the stage for the challenges to come. But Chief Justice John Roberts warned more recently that “impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.”

Democrats are warning against what they view as an assault on the judicial branch, which so far has been the only check against Trump and DOGE’s far-reaching federal actions. Threats against the federal judges, already on the rise, remain of high concern.

“It is outrageous to even think of defunding the courts,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, reacting to the House speaker’s claims. “The courts are the bulwark against Trump, and the Republicans can’t stand it.”

House GOP leaders met Tuesday with Rep. Jim Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, which will hold a hearing on the issue next week. The House is also expected to vote on a bill from Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., that would limit the geographic reach of certain federal rulings, to prevent temporary restraining orders from being enacted nationwide.

Jordan said he also spoke Saturday with Trump during college wrestling championships in Philadelphia.

“All options are on the table,” Jordan said late Monday. “We want to get the facts. Gather the facts.”

Since Trump took office, and with Musk, on a mission to dramatically reduce the size and scope of the federal government, the administration’s tech-inspired move-fast-and-break-things ethos has run up against the constraints of federal law.

An onslaught of court cases has been filed by employee groups, democracy organizations and advocacy groups trying to keep federal programs — from the U.S. Agency for International Development to the Education Department — from being dismantled.

Judges have issued various types of restraints on Trump’s actions. Trump’s first administration alone accounted for 66 percent of all the injunctions issued on presidential actions between 2001 and 2023, according to data from a Harvard Law Review piece circulated by Republicans.

The legislation from Issa had no support from Democrats when it was approved by the Judiciary Committee last month. A similar bill was introduced Monday by GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, of Maryland, the top Democrat on the Judiciary panel, said Trump is being hit with injunctions because he is “engaged in terrible, irresponsible and lawless violations of people’s rights.“

“We are winning in court,” Raskin said in a video address. “We’ve got make sure we defend the integrity of the judiciary.”

When it comes to actually impeaching the judges, however, top Republicans have stopped short of backing what would be a severe action.

Impeachments are rare in Congress, particularly of judges, but several rank-and-file House Republicans have proposed legislation to launch impeachment proceedings against various federal judges who have ruled in ways unfavorable to the Trump administration.

Musk has rewarded House Republicans who signed onto impeachment legislation with political donations, according to a person familiar with information first reported by the New York Times. The person was granted anonymity to discuss the matter.

Republicans are particularly focused on Boasberg, the chief judge of the district court in Washington, D.C., who Jordan said is in a “somewhat unique in that, you know, his decision was crazy.”

The judge is weighing whether the Trump administration defied his order after the planes of migrants landed in El Salvador, turned over to that country’s notorious mega-prison system. The Trump administration had invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a war-time authority used during World War II against Japanese Americans, for the deportations the judge said lacked due process.

Any impeachment effort would also require backing from the Senate, where GOP leaders also panned the effort.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., echoed the advice of Roberts in allowing normal legal procedures to play out.

“At the end of the day, there is a process, and there’s an appeals process, and you know, I suspect that’s ultimately how this will get handled,” Thune said.

Associated Press writers Leah Askarinam and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.