Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 180

Democrats say EPA illegally canceled hundreds of grants aimed at boosting ‘environmental justice’

By MICHAEL PHILLIS, ALEXA ST. JOHN and MATTHEW DALY

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency illegally canceled grants worth more than $1.5 billion focused on improving the environment in minority communities hit hard by pollution, Senate Democrats say.

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Hundreds of grants were awarded by former President Joe Biden’s administration under a 2022 law that directed the EPA to spend $3 billion on grants to help low-income and minority communities improve their air, water and protect against climate change. Those environmental justice efforts were a major priority under Biden.

President Donald Trump’s administration, however, has cut funding, grants and people focused on environmental justice. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced March 10 that that he was canceling more than 400 “DEI and Environmental Justice grants” totaling $1.7 billion. In a post on X, Zeldin said the cuts were the fourth — and biggest — round of EPA/Department of Government Efficiency cuts.

All nine Democrats on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works signed the letter to Zeldin dated Monday. It demands information from the EPA about the terminated grants and eliminated environmental justice employees, and asks the agency to explain its plans to “combat pollution specifically in marginalized communities.”

“The vast majority of the targeted grant awards were made using funds appropriated by Congress with a statutory mandate that they be distributed to disadvantaged communities,” according to the senators’ letter.

The senators also accused the EPA of violating court orders and rules for terminating grants.

An EPA statement said the terminations will not stop.

“We have received the letter and will respond through appropriate channels. As the Trump administration reins in wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars, EPA will continue terminating assistance agreements in line with terms and conditions,” the statement said.

An internal EPA list of the roughly 400 grantees that was shared with The Associated Press detailed the cuts.

They included a wide swath of recipients for clean air and water initiatives. The Childhood Lead Action Project was granted $500,000 for a lead poisoning prevention program. Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice was granted $474,000 for a community air quality system, while the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection was granted $1 million for a pilot project in communities affected by PFAS contamination in drinking water, as examples.

To carry out the spending in the Inflation Reduction Act, the agency funded several environmental justice grant programs during the Biden administration. Community Change Grants, for example, focused on community-driven projects for places “facing legacy pollution, climate change, and persistent disinvestment,” per the EPA.

“Unsurprisingly, the illegal termination of these grants puts communities at risk and does nothing to lower costs for families,” said Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat.

Trump signed an executive order overturning decades worth of environmental justice policies and purging DEI efforts from the government. Zeldin has in turn dismantled the Biden administration’s climate program and environmental justice work.

“EPA continues to work diligently to implement President Trump’s executive orders,” Zeldin has said.

For example, the agency directed a bank to freeze $14 billion in funding spent during the Biden administration on a green bank to finance climate-friendly projects — a program authorized by Congress. Zeldin accused the nonprofits administering the program of mismanagement and self-dealing and terminated the grants. That move was paused by a federal judge who said the government’s accusations of fraud were “vague and unsubstantiated.”

Senate Democrats are pushing back against the Trump administration’s effort to withhold congressionally authorized spending, called impoundment. They argue Zeldin is violating a promise he made during his Senate confirmation hearing to follow the law.

“The illegal termination of these EPA grants not only violates congressional appropriations law, contractual agreements, and multiple court orders, but it also undermines essential programs aimed at eliminating childhood lead poisoning, reducing toxic air pollution, and mitigating health risks from heat and wildfires,” said Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the committee.

The Washington Post was first to report on the letter.

Last year, the EPA changed the terms and conditions for its grants, eliminating its ability to do policy-based cancellations. An internal EPA Office of General Counsel email obtained by Senate Democrats and provided to The AP says that even though EPA officials knew some grants had this updated language, they were terminated anyway.

Phillis reported from St. Louis and St. John reported from Detroit.

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

Warriors rule out Steph Curry for Jimmy Butler return game at Miami

MIAMI — No matter how much added motivation he had to return to support his new teammate, Jimmy Butler, in hostile territory, Steph Curry wasn’t healthy enough to suit up on Tuesday.

Curry, 37, missed his second straight game with a pelvic contusion. He suffered the injury late last week against Toronto after taking a hard fall on a drive. The Warriors (41-30) faced off against Butler’s former team — and former teammate in Andrew Wiggins — without their best player.

The team is optimistic Curry will play on Friday against New Orleans, but says he is day-to-day.

“It just wasn’t quite there, and we just can’t risk it,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said.

On Monday, Curry participated in Golden State’s practice at Barry University outside downtown Miami. He also went through a post-practice individual workout that would determine whether he was ready to play against the Heat.

Kerr said that one movement at the very end of his workout “didn’t quite feel right.” The Warriors have two days off — one in Miami and Thursday in New Orleans — before their next game. That would give Curry an entire week of recovery time.

Curry is averaging 24.2 points and six assists per game while leading the NBA in 3s per game. To be eligible for end-of-season awards, he must play five more regular-season games.

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The Warriors are 7-4 without Curry this season and are now especially capable of staying afloat without him now that they have Butler.

Golden State acquired Butler from the Heat at the trade deadline after months of drama in Miami. He requested a trade before the team slapped him with three suspensions.

Butler, a six-time All-Star, led the Heat to three Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals berths. He has downplayed the significance of what it means to return to the Kaseya Center, where a tribute video is expected to play after the Warriors’ pregame introductions.

Still, given how much Butler meant to the franchise and how ugly the divorce ended, the atmosphere will be emotional.

“When we get past all of this, I said this the other night: this league is a league of change,” Butler’s former head coach, Erik Spoelstra, said. “This is a league of emotion. You get past it. Years beyond, you look back at this chapter — that’s what it was, it was a five-and-a-half year chapter. That’s equivalent to when Pat (Riley) was coaching with the Lakers probably like a 10-year chapter. It’s a transient league now. That was a pretty long chapter. There were a lot of different highs and lows with that, but I’ll look back on it fondly.”

Trump administration invokes state secrets privilege in case over deportations under wartime law

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN and LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Monday invoked a “state secrets privilege” and refused to give a federal judge any additional information about the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law — a case that has become a flashpoint amid escalating tension with the federal courts.

The declaration comes as U.S. District Judge James Boasberg weighs whether the government defied his order to turn around planes carrying migrants after he blocked deportations of people alleged to be gang members without due process.

Boasberg, the chief judge of the federal district court in Washington, has asked for details about when the planes landed and who was on board, information that the Trump administration asserts would harm “diplomatic and national security concerns.”

Government attorneys also asked an appeals court on Monday to lift Boasberg’s order and allow deportations to continue, a push that appeared to divide the judges.

Circuit Court Judge Patricia Millett said Nazis detained in the U.S. during World World II received better legal treatment than Venezuelan immigrants who were were deported to El Salvador this month under the same statute.

“We certainly dispute the Nazi analogy,” Justice Department attorney Drew Ensign responded during a hearing of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Millett is one of three appellate judges who will decide whether to lift a March 15 order temporarily prohibiting deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. They didn’t rule from the bench Monday.

A second judge appeared open to the administration’s argument that the migrants should be challenging their detention in Texas rather than the nation’s capital. The third judge on the panel didn’t ask any questions.

The administration has transferred hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador, invoking the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II.

Also on Monday, attorneys representing the Venezuelan government filed a legal action in El Salvador to free 238 Venezuelans who are being held in a Salvadoran maximum-security prison after the U.S. deported them.

President Donald Trump’s administration appealed after Boasberg blocked those deportations and ordered planeloads of Venezuelan immigrants to return to the U.S. That did not happen.

The Alien Enemies Act allows noncitizens to be deported without the opportunity to go before an immigration or federal court judge. Trump issued a proclamation calling the Tren de Aragua gang an invading force.

Ensign argued that Boasberg’s ruling was an “unprecedented and enormous intrusion upon the powers of the executive branch.”

“The president has to comply with the Constitution and the laws like anyone else,” said MiIlett, who was nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama in 2013.

Judge Justin Walker, whom Trump nominated in 2020, seemed to be more receptive to the administration’s arguments based on his line of questioning. Walker pointed to the government’s arguments that the plaintiffs should have filed their lawsuit in Texas, where the immigrants were detained.

“You could have filed the exact same complaint you filed here in Texas district court,” Walker told American Civil Liberties Union attorney Lee Gelernt.

“We have no idea if everyone is in Texas,” Gelernt said.

Walker also pressed the plaintiffs’ lawyer to cite any prior case in which a judicial order blocking “a national security operation with foreign implications” survived appellate review.

Gelernt accused the administration of trying to use the law to “short circuit” immigration proceedings. Plaintiffs’ attorneys had no way to individually challenge all the deportations before planeloads of Venezuelans took off on March 15, he added.

“This has all been done in secret,” Gelernt said.

Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, who was nominated by Republican President George H.W. Bush in 1990, was the third judge on the panel. She didn’t ask any questions during a hearing that lasted roughly two hours.

Boasberg, an Obama nominee, ruled that immigrants facing deportation must get an opportunity to challenge their designations as alleged gang members. He said there is “a strong public interest in preventing the mistaken deportation of people based on categories they have no right to challenge.”

“The public also has a significant stake in the Government’s compliance with the law,” the judge wrote.

Trump and his allies have called for impeaching Boasberg. In a rare statement, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said “impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.”

Just after midnight Monday, Trump posted a social media message questioning Boasberg’s impartiality and calling for him to be disbarred.

During a hearing Friday, Boasberg vowed to determine whether the government defied his oral order from the bench to turn planes around. The Justice Department has said that the judge’s oral directions did not count, that only his written order needed to be followed and that it couldn’t apply to flights that had already left the U.S.

Best Ecco men’s golf shoes for traction and comfort

Which Ecco golf shoes are best?

Most golfers tend to focus on the equipment they’re required to have in order to play the game: clubs, balls and tees. The professionals know that what you wear, especially on your feet, is just as important. For shoes, it isn’t just comfort you need to consider, but traction and grip also help to steady the body during a stroke. When shopping for a golf shoe that has all three key points, look no further than Ecco.

The best Ecco golf shoes are the Ecco Men’s BIOM G3 Golf Shoes. A specialized outsole provides the highest levels of grip and traction across Ecco’s line of golf shoes, while a removable insole allows you to use a custom insole for maximum personalized comfort.

What to know before you buy Ecco golf shoesSpikes

Ecco golf shoes come in two outsole varieties: spikeless and spiked.

Spikeless: Spikeless Ecco golf shoe outsoles use little nubs that extend from the outsole. They still provide some traction on grassy surfaces, but they’re designed to focus on comfort by sacrificing the grip and traction that spiked Ecco golf shoes provide.Spiked: Spiked Ecco golf shoes use plastic spikes that extend roughly one-quarter inch down from the outsole. They can be uncomfortable to walk on for longer periods of time, but they allow a golfer to anchor their stance, reducing or outright eliminating the chances of slipping during a stroke. The newest Ecco spiked golf shoes have increased the comfort levels somewhat, so if you want a spiked outsole, it’s recommended to buy the newest Ecco golf shoe model you can find.Water resistance

All Ecco golf shoes feature at least minor levels of water resistance to combat the moisture present on most golf courses. Ecco uses many proprietary trademarks that relate to how much water resistance a given Ecco golf shoe model might have, like Hydromax for limited resistance or Gore-Tex for fully waterproof Ecco golf shoes. The level of water-resistance should be stated somewhere on the product listing.

What to look for in quality Ecco golf shoesComfort

Ecco golf shoes also use proprietary trademarks to describe the various comfort-focused technologies they utilize, with BIOM and FluidForm being their most popular.

BIOM: BIOM Ecco golf shoes are all about stabilizing your stance for an even stroke by keeping the soles of the shoes and your foot as steady as possible.FluidForm: FluidForm Ecco golf shoes focus on allowing your foot to flex as naturally as possible without affecting the stability of your stance. This is accomplished by splitting the midsole into three sections that band and move independently.Ortholite

Most Ecco golf shoes utilize a removable Ortholite insole. The insole prioritizes comfort and ease of use by allowing you to easily clean the insole separately from the shoe or replace it with a different insole after it wears out or if you prefer a different type of insole.

How much you can expect to spend on Ecco golf shoes

Most entry-level Ecco golf shoes start around the $150 area, especially older versions of current models. Ecco golf shoes around $200 are usually newer models with enhanced features like water resistance and have more color options, while the high-end $250 range of Ecco golf shoes will have the most color options and generally be fully waterproof and/or have special outsoles for extra traction and grip.

Ecco golf shoes FAQHow long do Ecco golf shoes last if used often and properly cared for?

A. Ecco golf shoes are built to last as long as possible. Even if you play a full 18 holes regularly, an Ecco golf shoe should last at least a few years, commonly between 2 and 4. To make them last as long as possible, make sure you’re cleaning them and letting them dry thoroughly after every use and don’t wear them for anything other than a round of golf. Ignoring these care instructions could reduce your Ecco golf shoes’ lifespan to roughly 1 year.

Do I really need to use golf shoes when playing golf?

A. No, you don’t. Golf has no regulations which enforce or restrict a golfer’s chosen footwear. Golfers prefer to use golf shoes because they’re designed specifically for the conditions of a golf course, i.e. some manner of water resistance, extra grip and traction on grasses and comfort-focused construction.

What are the best Ecco golf shoes to buy?Top Ecco golf shoes

Ecco Men’s BIOM G3 Golf Shoes

What you need to know: This Ecco golf shoe model is all about the traction for those golfers who prefer to walk more than ride in the cart.

What you’ll love: These Ecco golf shoes are fully waterproof and have a removable insole.

What you should consider: Like all Ecco golf shoes, the sizing of this model runs a little larger than what’s listed.

Top Ecco golf shoes for the money

Ecco Men’s BIOM Hybrid 1 Golf Shoes

What you need to know: This is an older version of Ecco’s BIOM Hybrid line that’s perfect for the casual golfer looking to save some money.

What you’ll love: A handful of color options make it easy to match with your usual golfing outfit.

What you should consider: A few reviewers noted that these Ecco golf shoes aren’t as comfortable as other models.

Worth checking out

Ecco Men’s Street Retro Hydromax Golf Shoes

What you need to know: This is a comfort-focused Ecco golf shoe with plenty of style points.

What you’ll love: These Ecco golf shoes are water-resistant and very easy to clean after 18 holes.

What you should consider: There are limited color options.

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

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Horoscopes March 25, 2025: Jenny Slate, be discreet about your beliefs, concerns and plans

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jenny Slate, 43; Sarah Jessica Parker, 60; Marcia Cross, 63; Elton John, 78.

Happy Birthday: Be discreet about your beliefs, concerns and what you plan to do to improve your life. You’ll feel so much better if you are true to yourself and do your best to positively impact what’s happening around you. Dedication, loyalty, good faith and doing what’s right will lead to unexpected opportunities and greater prosperity. Use your skills, experience and intelligence to get things done. Your numbers are 5, 12, 21, 26, 32, 41, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take a direct route and maximize your time. You’ll accomplish the most if you are organized and ready to take on anyone who gets in your way. Be the one to push for change and to convince others to join your team. Lead the way, and you will make a difference. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Look at your to-do list and map out how you plan to eliminate the backlog. Do your best to stay on track and to keep busy. Letting outside influences distract you will lower your self-esteem and cause undue stress. Say no to anyone who tries to redirect or take advantage of you. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Size up situations, and you’ll quickly see who is on your side and who isn’t. Use finesse, high energy and innovative solutions to win favors and get others to see and do things your way. Take control and be the one to bring about positive change, and you’ll gain respect and support. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Be discreet regarding yourself and your agenda. Not everyone will agree with what you want to do, and some will mislead or take advantage of you if you are too accommodating with information. Protect your reputation, be secretive, listen, observe and position yourself for success. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Learn, observe, gain experience and talk to experts. How you use your time and energy will determine how far you get. Connect with those capable of caring for obligations you can’t do yourself. Make your priority marketing, promoting and doing your best to have a positive impact. Self-improvement and love are favored. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Embrace change and learn from experience. Your growth will change how you feel and who you choose to connect with. The choice to simplify your life and let go of the past will positively influence how others respond and the opportunities you receive. Strive for security, stability and personal satisfaction. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Manifest opportunities instead of waiting for a miracle. Trust and believe in your ability to do what’s best for you, and don’t let anyone speak on your behalf. You have more influence than you realize. It’s time to expand your interests and verbalize your plans. Love, romance and equality are on the rise. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Set your sights on something unique, and let your creative imagination lead the way. Refuse to let your emotions dictate your reaction to domestic situations you have no control over. Look at the big picture and the emotional, financial or physical risk, and choose the path that offers the least fallout. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Look for exciting opportunities, but don’t be foolish or trust everything you hear. Verify information and adjust whatever you discover to suit your needs. Put a budget in place that doesn’t inflict financial pain, and use discretion when sharing information with those who like to exaggerate or twist your words. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Trust your instincts over what others tell you. Listening to too many versions of a situation will convolute communication. Consider options, how to make the most of your situation and what’s available. Don’t expect to please everyone; take action once you establish what’s best for you. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep the momentum and the money flowing. You have plenty you can establish and complete if you stay focused and refuse to let what others do or say get in your way. Consider joint ventures or shared expenses to ease stress and simplify life. Strive to improve your comfort and convenience. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Set a guideline, budget and timeline to ensure you don’t take on too much or fall short of your goals and expectations. Your focus and energy are best placed directly on your intentions. Refuse to let anyone intervene or throw you off track. Uncertainty is the enemy. Leave nothing to chance. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are entertaining, intelligent and competent. You are engaging and thoughtful.

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.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

Landen Roupp, Hayden Birdsong both make SF Giants roster — but only one in the rotation

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants’ biggest and one of the last remaining questions of the spring got an answer Monday afternoon: Landen Roupp will round out their starting rotation.

Roupp beat out fellow young right-hander Hayden Birdsong, who will start the year in the bullpen, and left-hander Kyle Harrison, who was behind the eight ball from the get-go due to illness and was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento last week.

Manager Bob Melvin put an end to the three-man competition before the Giants’ first of two exhibition games against the Detroit Tigers at Oracle Park.

“Both of (Roupp and Birdsong) had great springs, so really we could go either way with it,” Melvin said. “Both of them are kind of made to be starters.”

Roupp, 26, posted a 3.75 ERA in four Cactus League appearances while striking out 14 batters and issued only one walk in 12 innings. Birdsong, 23, also appeared in four games with a team-best 0.75 ERA, 18 strikeouts and no walks over 12 innings.

In their final audition on Sunday against the Triple-A River Cats, which didn’t count toward their spring training stats, Roupp got the starting nod and tossed five innings, allowing three walks and one hit — a solo home run — while racking up eight strikeouts.

Birdsong took over in the sixth inning but was derailed by a cracked nail on his right middle finger. While he downplayed the issue at his locker a day later after affixing a temporary nail, it “kind of affected stretching him out yesterday,” Melvin said.

Birdsong was only able to record one out while surrendering three runs in Sacramento. Ultimately, Melvin said, “Roupp pitched a little bit more toward the end.”

Harrison, 23, was sent to Triple-A to continue to get stretched out, and by Melvin’s explanation, it might seem natural for Birdsong to have followed in his footsteps. However, the manager said the decision to carry Birdsong in the bullpen was twofold.

“We want to start with what we think is our best group,” Melvin said. And, he added, “We’re trying to reward guys who had good springs and deserve to be on the team.”

That came at the cost of a roster spot for Sean Hjelle, who was optioned to Sacramento after seemingly carving out a permanent role for himself in the major-league bullpen. Hjelle, 27, appeared in 58 games last season with a 3.90 ERA but had a 6.75 ERA in seven appearances this spring.

“Here’s a guy that was on our team the whole year last year, so that stings a little bit,” Melvin said. “But the message is we’re trying to keep as many guys as we possibly can here and sometimes it comes down to results in spring. Some other guys that are here right now had better springs.”

As it stands, the Giants’ roster — or at least the 13 pitchers they will take with them to Cincinnati — is mostly set. Melvin said he could have the entire 26-man roster finalized by the time the team leaves Wednesday morning, opposed to years past when the group has been in flux up until hours before first pitch on Opening Day.

The starting rotation will consist of Logan Webb, Justin Verlander, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks and Roupp. The bullpen will be made up of Ryan Walker, Camilo Doval, Tyler Rogers, Erik Miller, Spencer Bivens, Randy Rodriguez, Lou Trivino and Birdsong.

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Melvin was impressed with how Roupp handled himself down the stretch last season, posting a 0.89 ERA over 30⅓ innings between the rotation and bullpen between being called up for the final time on Aug. 9 and his final outing of the season, when he was tagged for six runs.

Roupp mostly relied on two pitches last year — his sinker and curveball — but added a cutter and a four-seam fastball this spring that give him a full starter’s arsenal.

He evolved as a pitcher, but when informed of the good news by Melvin, showed he’s the same as ever.

“Pretty stoic,” Melvin said of Roupp’s reaction. “I think I saw a little bit of a hint of a smile. But that’s how he is.”

Notable

Jerar Encarnacion, who fractured his left ring finger in the outfield last week, was set to undergo surgery Monday in Los Angeles, but the operation was postponed due to travel difficulties, the team announced. … Harrison, who was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday, was set to get his work in Monday in an intrasquad game in Sacramento, Melvin said.

Trump administration cancels at least 68 grants focused on LGBTQ health questions

By CARLA K. JOHNSON

A surge of grant cancellations hit researchers focused on the health of gay, lesbian and transgender people last week, as the Trump administration continues to target what it describes as ideologically driven science.

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Last week the U.S. government terminated at least 68 grants to 46 institutions totaling nearly $40 million when awarded, according to a government website. Some of the grant money has already been spent, but at least $1.36 million in future support was yanked as a result of the cuts, a significant undercount because estimates were available for less than a third of grants.

Most were in some way related to sexual minorities, including research focused on HIV prevention. Other canceled studies centered on cancer, youth suicide and bone health.

Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon said the agency is “dedicated to restoring our agencies to their tradition of upholding gold-standard, evidence-based science.” The grants were awarded by the National Institutes of Health, an agency under HHS.

One canceled project at Vanderbilt University had been following the overall health of more than 1,200 LGBTQ people age 50 and older. Most of the money has been spent from the grant funding the project, but it was up for renewal in April, said Tara McKay, who leads Vanderbilt’s LGBTQ+ Policy Lab.

She said the grant won’t be renewed because of the termination, which jeopardizes any long-term results. Still, the Vanderbilt project had already generated two dozen published papers, including work used to train doctors to provide better care to LGBTQ people, increasing the likelihood of cancer screenings and other preventive care.

“That saves us a lot of money in health care and saves lives,” McKay said.

Insights from minority populations can increase knowledge that affects everyone, said Simon Rosser, who studies cancer in gay and bisexual men at the University of Minnesota.

“We now no longer have anywhere studying LGBT cancer in the United States,” said Rosser, who saw his grants canceled on Friday.

“When you decide to cancel all the grants on sexual minorities, you really slow down scientific discovery, for everyone,” Rosser said. Young researchers will lose their jobs, and the field as a whole will suffer, he added.

“It’s a loss of a whole generation of science,” Rosser said.

Termination letters seen by The Associated Press gave as reasons that the research was “unscientific” or did “nothing to enhance the health of many Americans.”

That language felt personal and stinging, McKay said.

“My project’s been accused of having no benefit to the American people. And, you know, queer and trans folks are Americans also,” McKay said.

Associated Press data journalist Kasturi Pananjady contributed to this report.

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

Clipboard: State records rewritten by Monterey High weightlifters

One world record and 10 state records were established by five Monterey High students at the World Association of Bench and Dead Lifters Championships at the Bodyworx in Monterey.

Headlining the list was Ba Thanh (BT) Santiago, who established a new world record in his age and weight class in the deadlift at 408.7 pounds.

Competing at 132 pounds in the 16-17-year-old division, Santiago also set a state record in the bench press (192.7 pounds) and push/pull (601.4 pounds).

Ahman Willis (16-17) rewrote three state records at 181 pounds, deadlifting 451 pounds, bench pressing 253 pounds and compiling 704 pounds in the push/pull.

James Langford (14-15) also set three new state marks in the 165-pound division, deadlifting 407 pounds, bench pressing 198 pounds and push/pulling 605 pounds.

Moonlighting as a weightlifter, UC Santa Barbara-bound softball pitcher Ella Myers (16-17) set a state record in the 148-pound class in the pull/push (407 pounds). The three-sport standout also deadlifted 270 pounds.

Rosie Savukinas (14-15) also established a state record in the 148-pound class in the push/pull (336) and deadlifted 209 pounds.

Jude Lasko (16-17) captured the 165-pound bench press (225) and deadlift (340 pounds) events, while Clive Potter (16-17) won the 181-pound bench press (209 pounds) and deadlift (446).

Emotional win for Main at TCU

Stevenson Tomi Main has won a lot of tennis matches over the last two years, but none bigger than last week.

With the match on the line, Main recovered from a 4-6 loss in the first set, bouncing back to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-2 to lead TCU to a 4-3 win over Texas Tech. Main is a redshirt junior at TCU.

The significance in the win for Main is that her collegiate career started at Texas Tech, before she transferred to UOP for two years, before entering the portal and enrolling at TCU.

A multi-sport athlete at Stevenson, Main left school after her junior season to begin her college career.

A former five-star recruit, Main was 23-15 overall last year at UOP in Stockton, earning All-West Coast Conference second team honors as a doubles player.

In her first season at TCU, the Seaside native is 11-4 overall as the team’s No. 4 singles player – 7-2 in tournaments and 4-2 in duals.

Overall, Main is 20-13, as she has alternated between the Horned Frogs No. 2 and No. 3 double teams this season.

Main, who reached the CCS singles semifinals as a freshman at Stevenson, was ranked No. 9 in the nation in 2018 in the 18-under division.

She also won a Level III pro tournament in Sacramento as an amateur in 2022.

Monterey’s Aldrete has solid spring training

Signed to a minor league contract, Carter Aldrete hit .250 for the Sacramento Athletes during spring training, ripping a double and driving in a run in nine games.

The Monterey High alum, who will report to the A’s Double-A affiliate in Midland, Texas, was flawless at third base for the Athletics, recording 18 putouts and one assist.

Released by the Giants organization after the 2023 season, Aldrete revived his career last year playing in the American Association for the Cleburne Railroaders, an independent team.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Aldrete hit .341 with 21 homers and 74 runs batted in over 100 games, all career highs. He also stole 20 bases in earning all-star honors.

Drafted in the 15th round in 2019 out of Arizona State, the right-handed hitting Aldrete hit 47 homers and drove in 194 runs over four minor league seasons, reaching the Giants Double-A affiliate.

Aldrete earned all-county honors in baseball twice at Monterey, quarterbacking the football team to a spot in the postseason as a junior.

Alisal grad gets playing time at Eastern Kentucky

Splitting time between shortstop and first base, Jordan Smith has appeared in 20 games as a true freshman for Eastern Kentucky, starting 17 games.

Smith sports a .928 fielding percentage, having handled 64 out of 69 chances in the field for the 19-6 Colonels.

A member of The Herald’s all-county softball team last year at Alisal, Smith picked up her first two collegiate hits recently, and has driven in two runs in 24 at-bats.

A multi-sport athlete, Smith hit .560 over four years at Alisal, leading the program to its first league softball title last spring and first postseason appearance in three decades.

Local youth wrestler places second at state

Omar Rodriguez will be one to watch in the future, as the 14-year-old finished second at 225 pounds at the State Folk Style Championships for middle schools in Fresno.

A member of the Salinas Valley Wrestling Club, Rodriguez was the highest finisher among any county athletes. He’s won three previous tournaments this season

Teammate Jesus Ruiz – who a won tournament title earlier in the year – also took part in the state championships as a 14-year-old.

Coaches needed

Alvarez is looking for coaches for flag football. Go to brian.vazquez@salinasuhsd.org

Officials needed

Peninsula Sports Incorporate is looking for high school and middle school officials for all sports this season. Varsity officials are paid $100 a game.

There is an immediate need for officials and umpires in the spring for boys’ volleyball, baseball, softball and boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.

Monterey Women’s Basketball League

The Monterey Women’s Basketball League will begin on Saturday at the Monterey Sports Center. A pick-up game will tipoff the season at 2 p.m., with teams being formed after the game. Games will be held each Saturday from 1-5 p.m. Standard fee is $100. Register at montereysportscenter.com

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy resigns after 5 years in the position

By LISA BAUMANN

The head of the beleaguered U.S. Postal Service, Louis DeJoy, resigned Monday after nearly five years in the position, leaving as President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have floated the idea of privatizing mail service.

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DeJoy had said last month he planned to step down but hadn’t set a date. He leaves an agency with an uncertain future. Trump has said he is considering putting USPS under the control of the Commerce Department in an attempt to stop losses at the $78 billion-a-year agency, which has operated as an independent entity since 1970. It has struggled at times to balance the books with the decline of first-class mail.

Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino will take on the role until the Postal Service Board of Governors names a permanent replacement for DeJoy, who became postmaster general in the summer of 2020 during Trump’s first term. He was a Republican donor who owned a logistics business and was the first person to hold the position in nearly two decades who was not a career postal employee.

DeJoy’s tenure was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, surges in mail-in election ballots and efforts to stem losses through cost and service cuts.

“I believe strongly that the organization is well positioned and capable of carrying forward and fully implementing the many strategies and initiatives that comprise our transformation and modernization, and I have been working closely with the Deputy Postmaster General to prepare for this transition, DeJoy said in a statement.

He added that “much work remains that is necessary to sustain our positive trajectory.”

The National Association of Letter Carriers’ president, Brian L. Renfroe, said in a statement Monday that the union stands ready to work with whomever the board selects as the next postmaster general.

“The future of the Postal Service is on the line, and choosing someone with innovative ideas and appreciation for our Constitutionally mandated service is essential,” Renfroe said.

Connie Cameron, right, holds a sign during a demonstration outside of the United States Postal Service in Arlington Heights, Ill., Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A demonstrator holds a T-shirt with a “Not For Sale” sign over the image of a stamp during a demonstration outside of the United States Postal Service in Arlington Heights, Ill., Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A man holds a sign during a demonstration outside of the United States Postal Service in Arlington Heights, Ill., Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

People hold signs during a demonstration outside of the United States Postal Service in Arlington Heights, Ill., Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Madish Shah, center, and Abdul Abderrazzaq, right, hold signs during a demonstration outside of the United States Postal Service in Arlington Heights, Ill., Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Connie Cameron, right, holds a sign during a demonstration outside of the United States Postal Service in Arlington Heights, Ill., Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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The Postal Service Board of Governors said in a statement Monday evening that they had retained global search firm Egon Zehnder to help find the agency’s next leader. There’s no established timeline for when the announcement of the next postmaster general will be made, the statement said.

Earlier this month, DeJoy said he planned to cut 10,000 workers and billions of dollars from the USPS budget and he’d do that working with DOGE, according to a letter sent to members of Congress.

USPS workers, including mail carriers, have gathered over the past week to protest the cuts and the plan they say will dismantle the service.

Critics of the plan fear negative effects of the cuts will be felt across the country. Democratic U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly, of Virginia, has said in response that turning over the service to DOGE would result in it being undermined and privatized.

USPS employs about 640,000 workers who deliver mail, medicine, election ballots and packages across the country, from inner cities to rural areas and far-flung islands.

The USPS has been largely self-funded since 1970. The bulk of its annual $78.5 billion budget comes from customer fees, according to the Congressional Research Service. Congress provides a relatively small annual appropriation — about $50 million in fiscal year 2023 — to subsidize free and reduced-cost mail services.

Warriors’ Jimmy Butler takes high road about Heat exit

MIAMI — Jimmy Butler insists that not only is his return Tuesday night to Miami’s Kaseya Center just another game for him, but he also harbors no ill will toward his former franchise.

Asked specifically about Heat president Pat Riley, Butler demurred.

“I got no thoughts,” Butler said. “I don’t got nothing to say to nobody. No hard feelings. I’m in a better place now for me. Continued success to those guys over there.”

Butler and the Warriors practiced at Barry University on the afternoon before the anticipated matchup. He has previously had return games after leaving Chicago, Philadelphia and Minnesota, so he knows what to expect.

“This is basketball,” Butler said. “It’s very simple. I don’t have all the emotions that everybody thinks I’ll have. It is what it is. I realize that I had some great years here, I built some incredible bonds with some individuals in the organization, in the city, hell, in the state of Florida.

“But I’m going there to hoop. I’m going there to play basketball. Ain’t nothing nobody say, ain’t nothing nobody do is going to get me out of character. Nobody got me out of character when I was going through what I was going through this entire season with the suspensions. It’s just another day for me.”

Before Miami traded Butler to the Warriors, the Heat suspended him on three separate occasions for conduct detrimental to the team. Riley had publicly called out Butler for his lack of availability after last season’s first-round exit and the Heat declined to offer Butler a contract extension despite his role in leading the team to two NBA Finals.

Butler said that even if Riley had offered him an extension this past summer, he was already at the point of no return.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler stands on the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The Warriors arrived in Miami on Sunday, with a pair of off days on both sides of the Heat game on Tuesday. Butler hosted several friends — old and new — at his BIGFACE coffee shop in the Design District for an afternoon of dominos and sun. He chased around his kids and linked up with soccer star Paul Pogba in the evening for his birthday party.

The Warriors are 16-3 with Butler in the lineup and could get Steph Curry back for the Heat game; the superstar point guard is listed as questionable after missing the Atlanta game with a pelvic contusion.

The Butler trade turned Golden State’s season around, and the Heat have gone 5-17 since he departed.

No wonder he feels like he’s in a better place. Even if his exit came with a lot of noise.

“I’m always painted as the bad guy,” Butler said. “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. It’s all the way everything’s portrayed. Some people talk to the media, some people don’t. I’ve never been one to tell my side of the story to almost anybody. Let everybody think that this is what happened. We’ll ride with it. Then in like a year’s time, it’s going to be someone else’s fault besides mine.”

It’s unclear if the Heat have prepared a tribute video for the six-time All-Star given how things ended for him with the franchise. Butler said he’d watch it if they showed one, but it doesn’t really make a difference to him if they don’t.

“It’ll be a charged atmosphere,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “I’m sure it’ll be emotional on many levels. I know Jimmy’s just going to lock in and play, and he’s very capable of that. But there’s no getting around the fact of what he meant to this team, this organization, this city. That will come out tomorrow.”

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There won’t be a tribute video for Andrew Wiggins until next year, when the Heat come to Chase Center. The Warriors parted with Wiggins — a 2022 NBA champion — to acquire Butler.

Wiggins is fresh off a 42-point gem against Charlotte, helping the Heat snap a 10-game losing skid. The game before that, he went off for 30, including a 20-point quarter.

“We’re all thrilled to see Wiggs,” Kerr said. “Wiggs is one of my favorite guys. … He’s beloved in our locker room and throughout the Bay. It’ll be great to see him and hopefully he doesn’t have 42 against us.”

The main spotlight, though, will be on Butler. After practice, dozens of fans waiting outside by the team bus swarmed Butler as he headed toward the parking lot. They took photos and asked for autographs.

If that was any indication, the reception at the Kaseya Center might be a tad warmer than Butler — and some of the Heat media corps — may anticipate. He’ll be ready for the scene either way.