Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 185

Federal judge blocks DOGE from accessing Social Security personal information for now

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked Elon Musk ’s Department of Government Efficiency from Social Security Administration systems that hold personal data on millions of Americans.

The decision from U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander in Maryland also requires the team to delete any personally identifiable data they may have. It comes after labor unions and retirees asked for an emergency order limiting DOGE access to the agency and its vast troves of personal data.

They said DOGE’s “nearly unlimited” access violates privacy laws and presents massive information security risks. A recently departed Social Security official who saw the DOGE team sweep into the agency said she is deeply worried about sensitive information being exposed.

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The Trump administration says DOGE has a 10-person team of federal employees at the Social Security Administration, seven of whom have been granted read-only access to agency systems or personally identifiable information.

The administration has said DOGE is targeting waste and fraud in the federal government.

Hollander, though, found that the ends may not justify the means.

“The DOGE Team is essentially engaged in a fishing expedition at SSA, in search of a fraud epidemic, based on little more than suspicion,” she wrote.

Attorneys for the government argued the DOGE access doesn’t deviate significantly from normal practices inside the agency, where employees are routinely allowed to search its databases. But attorneys for the plaintiffs called the access unprecedented.

DOGE has gotten at least some access to other government databases, including at the Treasury Department and IRS.

At SSA, DOGE staffers swept into the agency days after Trump’s inauguration and pressed for a software engineer to quickly get access to data systems that are normally carefully restricted even within the government, a former official said in court documents.

The team appeared to be searching for fraud based on inaccuracies and misunderstandings, according to Tiffany Flick, the former acting chief of staff to the acting commissioner.

Hollander, who is based in Baltimore and was nominated by President Barack Obama, is the latest judge to consider a DOGE related case. The team has drawn nearly two dozen lawsuits, some of which have shed light on staffing and operations that have largely been kept under wraps.

Several judges have raised questions about DOGE’s sweeping cost-cutting efforts, but they have not always agreed that the risks are imminent enough to block the team from government systems.

Associated Press writer Lea Skene in Baltimore contributed reporting.

The top retractable water hoses for hassle-free yard work

Which retractable water hose is best?

A retractable water hose is the best choice for tight spaces or for keeping your garage nice and tidy. Its most innovative feature is the internal spring-loaded mechanisms that distribute the hose side to side in its housing, preventing tangled, unsightly mess. A retractable water hose gives you the reach of a full-length hose and is neatly contained in an attractive casing.

If you’re looking for a durable yet affordable retractable water hose, the GartenKraft Retractable Garden Hose is your best bet. It’s made of sturdy, quality materials and can be wall-mounted to save space.

What to know before you buy a retractable water hoseStorage options

The number one consideration when thinking about buying a retractable water hose is space. A retractable hose stays in a neat casing or it can be coiled up, which makes for a more organized and tidy yard. They are especially helpful in tight spaces or smaller front yards. There are also wall-mounted options for maximum space-saving.

Downsides

By emphasizing making the hose compact, manufacturers sometimes cut corners on hose durability and strength. That being said, there are some sturdy, quality options in retractable water hoses.

Key considerations

In addition to the hose’s durability and length, shoppers may also want to make sure that the casing blends seamlessly into the color scheme and look of their yard. Retractable water hoses come in a range of colors and shapes, with options for most outdoor spaces.

What to look for in a quality retractable water hoseSpace

While saving space is one of the benefits of a retractable water hose, the size and footprint of the hose are among the most important things to look at when shopping for one. In addition to how compact it is, the method of retractability — wall-mounted, ground-based or coiling — will help inform whether the hose will fit the available space.

Durability

For items built to be compact, it’s particularly important to make sure that the retractable water hose you choose can withstand the wear and tear of your climate. For four-season living, be sure to choose a hose that is built of quality materials and can withstand the elements.

Length

Despite the fact that retractable water hoses are meant to be compact and neat, they still need to easily reach every area of your yard. Be sure that the model you’re considering gives you full coverage for your space.

Diameter

The wider the hose, the more water can flow through it. On the downside, more water means a heavier hose to move around. The most common size is 5/8 inches, but it’s best to shop for a hose that can water the area effectively.

How much you can expect to spend on a retractable water hose

The cost of a retractable water hose will vary depending on the length and sturdiness of the materials. Expect to pay from $30 on the low end for a shorter, lighter hose and upwards of $300 for a longer, more durable model with self-retracting capability.

Retractable Water Hose FAQWill a retractable water hose stand up to the elements?

A. As with all garden hoses, the expansion and contraction caused by freezing and thawing can damage the materials over time. However, maintaining proper care, such as draining the hose at the end of the season and storing it in a garage or shed sheltered from the elements, can extend the life of the hose.

Do I need to get the priciest model?

A. Whether you need to buy one of the high-end retractable water hose models depends on your gardening habits. If you plan to use your hose daily and actively move it over long spaces or rocky terrains, you can ensure its long life by buying the sturdiest hose. On the other hand, if you’re only an occasional gardener or your choice of plantings doesn’t require extensive watering, you may be able to opt for a more affordable hose.

What’s the best retractable water hose to buy?Top retractable water hose

GartenKraft Retractable Garden Hose

What you need to know: This hose is sturdy, wall-mounted and comes with its own spray nozzle.

What you’ll love: Sturdy, well-made and strong, this hose stands up to the elements. The retracting mechanism is smooth and dependable, with a lock to stop the hose at any desired length. The included nozzle offers a range of popular settings.

What you should consider: While the retracting mechanism is one of the better ones, it can occasionally jam.

Top retractable water hose for the money

Giraffe Tools AW40 Retractable Hose Reel

What you need to know: This affordable hose reel can be locked at a certain length for your convenience.

What you’ll love: It’s 84 feet long with a 6-foot lead-in hose. It has a nine-pattern nozzle, can rewind automatically and has a convenient carrying handle. You can also mount it on the wall to save space.

What you should consider: The automatic rewinding can be very fast, so it’s not ideal to have around kids.

Worth checking out

Suncast Swivel Hideaway Hose and Storage Bin

What you need to know: A substantive and attractive option, the Suncast works well in larger spaces that need a long hose.

What you’ll love: Beautiful and stately, this retractable hose set looks like a piece of decoration, which elegantly conceals your hose. It has 225 feet of hose capacity, and the patented Easy-Link system ensures a watertight connection between the reel and the hose.

What you should consider: If space is at a premium, this may not be the retractable water hose for you.

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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The best Callaway irons to improve your golf game

Which Callaway irons are best?

Callaway is one of the strongest and most respected brand names in golf despite only existing for roughly 40 years. To put that in perspective, golf has been recognized as a sport for almost 300 years. Even better, Callaway isn’t only for the pros; the company also makes excellent entry-level irons.

The best Callaway irons come from the set for the professionals: the Callaway Apex Pro 24 Irons Set. These irons are designed to enhance and stabilize performances already set by experience, so if you’re new to the sport, this probably isn’t the right set for you.

What to know before you buy a Callaway ironDefinition

Irons deliver higher precision at the expense of distance (the reverse of what woods achieve). Irons accomplish this by utilizing clubheads with large, flat faces at an angle that send the golf ball into a high loft.

Originally, they were made from iron, which gave them their name. These days, however, “irons” are usually made from zinc, titanium, stainless steel and various other metals.

Clubhead designsCavity back: A cavity back has a hollowed-out area on the back of the clubhead. The hollowed-out design gives the edge of the clubhead more weight. The effect of this is twofold: It makes it easier to keep the iron on a straighter swinging path, and it helps keep the trajectory of the golf ball more narrow. For these reasons, cavity-back irons are intended for new and learning golfers.Muscle back: Also sometimes called a blade iron, there is no cavity in this clubhead; it’s a solid chunk of material. The evenly distributed weight along the clubhead gives the experienced golfer an opportunity to greater control both the spin of the golf ball and its overall trajectory. A novice golfer using this clubhead style could quickly grow frustrated.What to look for in a quality Callaway ironShaft

There are two areas of importance when discussing the shaft of an iron: the length and the material.

Length: The length of the shaft affects two elements of your swing: its speed and the resulting control of the golf ball. The shorter the shaft of your iron, the less speed you can generate in your swing but the more control you have over your golf ball’s trajectory.Material: The construction of the shaft of an iron is typically made from steel, graphite or a combination of the two. Steel shafts are better for novice golfers as they have very limited flex and give you less overall speed, which makes them easier to control. Graphite shafts are very lightweight and allow a more experienced golfer to generate the extra speed and precision they need to reduce their stroke counts. Different combinations of these materials allow for personal preference on the flexibility of the iron.Grooves

Every clubface has grooves in them, which serve to pull dirt and water away from the surface to give you a cleaner contact with your golf ball. This gives you more control over the shot, so keep those grooves clean.

Loft angle

Each iron has a different angle of its clubface, which is the driving force behind that iron’s lofting ability and maximum distance. Sharper angles loft the golf ball the highest while sending the golf ball the shortest distance.

How much you can expect to spend on a Callaway iron

Golfing is not a low-cost sport, and the cost of Callaway irons reflects that. An entry-level/low-quality Callaway iron is available for less than $100 but if you’re serious about the sport, expect to spend around $200 per iron. Keep in mind that a complete set of irons generally runs between $500-$1,000.

Callaway iron FAQDo Callaway irons maintain their value?

A: Yes. Many golfers purchase used Callaway irons for not much less than they would pay for them new. This also means you can get a great deal of your money back if you decide to look for a different iron and sell the old ones.

How long does a Callaway iron tend to last?

A: Most golfers get a minimum of five years of excellent performance out of their Callaway irons. That said, if you properly care for them, they could last you for at least a decade if not longer.

What’s the best Callaway iron to buy?Top Callaway iron

Callaway Apex Pro 24 Irons Set

What you need to know: Purchase this set if you want the best; there just isn’t a better set of irons Callaway offers.

What you’ll love: The sound of the tungsten head on an excellent stroke is fantastic.

What you should consider: This is not an iron set for the newly initiated, so stay clear unless you really know how to golf.

Top Callaway iron for the money

Callaway Golf Rogue ST Max Individual Iron

What you need to know: These individually sold irons are available at great prices without sacrificing performance.

What you’ll love: It has a wide sole, enhanced offset and a thick topline for high-handicap players. The face cup helps with increased ball speed and consistency.

What you should consider: This iron is not ideal for low-handicap players.

Worth checking out

Callaway Big Bertha OS Iron

What you need to know: The latest model in the Big Bertha line of Callaways, this iron is all about maximum performance.

What you’ll love: A consistent swing is easy to achieve with this iron without sacrificing distance.

What you should consider: This iron is best for those with low handicaps.

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 20, 2025: Spike Lee, put your energy into fitness, diet and anything that stabilizes your life

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ruby Rose, 39; Mikey Day, 45; Holly Hunter, 67; Spike Lee, 68.

Happy Birthday: What you learn through the experiences you encounter this year will push you in a direction that encompasses lifestyle changes. Rethinking how you use your money, talents and connections will encourage you to save more and to distance yourself from those fostering bad habits. Putting your energy into fitness, diet and anything that stabilizes your life and daily routine is favored. The choice is yours. Your numbers are 7, 15, 23, 29, 31, 37, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Tidy up your finances, investments and spending habits. Put debt to rest and pay down outstanding balances that are bleeding you dry. It’s not about how much you have; it’s about how you make use of what you have. Sell off unnecessary items, and turn your stuff into money in the bank. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take uncertainty out of the equation by being blunt about what you want to know, and adjust your life to fit the results. Positive change begins with the facts, a plan and taking the initiative to make things happen. Let go of what’s not working and replace it with something that will. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Partnerships will lead to opportunity. It’s OK to wheel and deal, but if you want it to be an ongoing experience that leads to stardom, you’ll have to include compromise, honesty and a conscience that protects those unable to defend themselves. Talk is cheap if you don’t honor your word with sufficient action. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll have to wager today’s pros and cons when doing business, buying and selling, or handling matters that can influence your reputation. Change is inevitable, but doing what’s right will define the outcome. Physical activity will help put a positive spin on what’s possible and what to avoid. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Put your thinking cap on and prepare to learn. Let your heart lead the way, and social and networking events will become your platform for new beginnings. Expose yourself to new concepts and technology that helps spin old favorites into something new and exciting. Love and romance are on the rise. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Emotions will surface over situations you encounter at home or work. Be ready to look for alternative methods to make ends meet. Having an inkling of the cost of living and a plan to offset and replace something you can’t afford with something doable will help you get ahead. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take a break, and do something that will spark your imagination and give insight into how you can put your attributes to better use. Love, partnerships and interacting more on a social platform will enhance your life and build the confidence you need to go after your dreams. Embrace change. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Stop laboring over the past, and focus on what you can do to build a better future. Put your energy into learning, exercising your rights and making things happen. Refuse to let anyone bully you into doing for them instead of for yourself. It’s your life to live; engage. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Tidy up loose ends, clear the path and start anew. Refuse to let the past hold you back when it’s time to put your best foot forward and find your passion. Opportunity is apparent, but if you don’t take advantage of getting out and discovering the possibilities, you’ll keep spinning your wheels. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Get involved in something that matters to you. The people you meet and the difference you make will change how you feel about your life and what you do for a living. It’s up to you to look for opportunities with a purpose that makes you feel good about yourself and your contributions. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Consider what you enjoy most and turn it into your occupation or favorite pastime. Whether it concerns work, money or morals, satisfying your soul will impact you profoundly and shape your move forward. A makeover that suits your lifestyle will summon compliments. Romance is in the stars. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Discipline and hard work will pave the way to a better lifestyle. Get out, be active and do your best to choose healthy alternatives. Changing your perspective regarding diet, activities and who you hang out with will make a difference to your health and well-being. A professional change looks promising. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are energetic, playful and friendly. You are responsive and effective.

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.

Pro Soccer: Monterey Bay opens US Cup with four goal explosion

SEASIDE — It’s a small sample size. Yet, early indications are painting a promising future — or perhaps present — for Monterey Bay FC as it attempts to erase last year’s horrific season.

Erupting for a season high in goals Wednesday, the Union opened the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 4-0 route of International San Francisco at Cardinale Stadium.

In their last two matches on the pitch, the Union have produced seven goals, which is as many as they scored in their last 11 games of the 2024 season.

Monterey Bay FC (1-1-0) will play its third match in seven days on Saturday when it returns to United Soccer League Championship play, traveling to Orange County (1-0-1). Both franchises’ have USL wins against Oakland.

Last year the Union failed to produce a goal in two matches against Orange County, playing to a draw in one match. They are 0-3-1 in their last four meetings against their Western Conference rivals since sweeping the series in their inaugural year in 2022.

Winning just one of their final 15 USL matches last season, the Union haven’t won back-to-back games since April 13 of 2024, when they knocked off Oakland and Las Vegas.

Dating back to 2022, the Union have won three straight U.S. Open Cup openers. Since its founding season, Inter San Francisco has been extended invitations to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifying tournament four straight years.

Showcasing its depth, Monterey Bay FC saw three different players produce goals for the first time this year including Xavi Gnaulati, who had goals in the 26th and 45th minutes of the match.

Veteran Mobi Fehr collected his first goal 71 seconds into the match, with newcomer Ilijah Paul adding a goal in the second half to put the game out of reach.

Having been a part of the franchise since its inception, Fehr’s goal at 1:11 was the fastest goal in team history, surprising Alex Dixon’s goal at 1:31 in the team’s opener in 2023.

Sam Gomez earned his first start between the pipes for the Union, producing the team’s first shutout this spring. Former Alisal High defender Joel Garcia started on the defensive front, with Carmel product Pierce Gallaway earning a start at midfield.

Which players are leading SF Giants’ key positional battles?

SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Giants will roll into Cincinnati in roughly a week for Opening Day at Great American Ballpark, and a good chunk of the players remaining in major league camp have a good idea of where they’ll start their season. For a select few, their futures remain ambiguous.

Will the Giants select Hayden Birdsong, Landen Roupp or Kyle Harrison to be their fifth starter? And what happens to the two starters who don’t make the cut? What about the final spots in San Francisco’s bullpen? Does the bench look any different now compared to the beginning of camp?

With Cactus League play coming to a close, here’s how San Francisco’s key positional battles are shaping up:

Starting pitcherThe Giants had four locks in their rotation before they got to Scottsdale: Logan Webb, Justin Verlander, Robbie Ray and Jordan Hicks. The team said early on that there would be a competition for the fifth starter, and entering camp, Harrison made the most sense to secure that spot over Birdsong and Roupp. Despite dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries last season, Harrison enjoyed incumbent status because his 24 starts and 124 1/3 innings were second on the Giants behind only Webb. The last month, though, has changed the calculus.

Harrison has been playing catchup for the entirety of camp after losing 10 to 15 pounds right before spring training. Birdsong and Roupp have both thrown 12 innings this spring and have been stretched out to throw at least five innings. Harrison, by contrast, has only thrown 6 2/3 innings, his longest outing this spring being three frames. Following Harrison’s outing against the A’s on Sunday, manager Bob Melvin said it “might be hard” for Harrison to get fully stretched out in time for the season.

“We’ll see where we are with him,” Melvin said on Sunday. “He’s a little bit behind everybody. Today, getting him three innings and it seemed like there was a little bit more life in his arm. Like I said, it was a step in the right direction.”

If Harrison is out of the running, that leaves Birdsong and Roupp as the final two candidates. And of those two, Birdsong likely has the edge. Not only does Birdsong have a 0.75 ERA with 18 strikeouts, but the 23-year-old hasn’t walked a single batter during Cactus League play, no small feat for someone who walked an unsavory 13.7% of the batters he faced last season.

Roupp has had a fine spring in his own right. Along with a 3.75 ERA and 14 strikeouts to one walk during Cactus League play, Roupp threw five scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts against Colorado Rockies minor leaguers last week. That said, it’s hard to overlook the combination of Birdsong’s spring performance and last year’s tantalizing strikeout numbers (72 innings, 88 strikeouts).

“It’s been kind of cool to follow,” Melvin said. “Like I said, (Harrison) is probably a little bit farther behind as far as his progression, but Roupp and Birdsong have really been fantastic.”

So, does that leave Roupp destined for Sacramento? Not quite. There’s also the matter of the …

BullpenIf Roupp doesn’t make the team as a starter, the bullpen remains a viable option. Roupp, after all, made last year’s Opening Day roster as a reliever. When asked about Birdsong and Roupp on Wednesday, Melvin said that “one could start, one could relieve as we sit here right now.”

Should Roupp land in the bullpen, the Giants would have to sacrifice — at least in the short-term — keeping him stretched out as a starter. That, in turn, would leave Harrison as the next starter in line should anything happen to the quintet of Webb, Verlander, Ray, Hicks or Birdsong.

Roupp would join a bullpen that will feature closer Ryan Walker, Tyler Rogers, Camilo Doval, Erik Miller, Sean Hjelle and Randy Rodríguez. As for the eighth and final spot? There are several compelling candidates.

Joey Lucchesi, a Newark native, hasn’t allowed a run this spring, can throw multiple innings and would give the Giants a second left-hander. Joel Peguero, a non-roster invitee capable of hitting 101 mph, also hasn’t allowed a run this spring and was just named the Barney Nugent Award winner. Tristan Beck and Spencer Bivens are both right-handers with major-league relief experience. But the true favorite to round out the bullpen is Lou Trivino.

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Trivino, a non-roster invitee, hasn’t pitched in the majors since ’22 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in ’23, but has pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings this spring. It’s also hard to ignore that Trivino has a relationship with Melvin dating back to their respective tenures with the Oakland A’s. Selecting Trivino over Lucchesi would leave the Giants with one lefty in their bullpen to start the year, but San Francisco has not been intent on having two left-handers in its bullpen.

BenchWhile there are many moving parts with the pitching staff, the bench situation is a lot more straightforward.

Tom Murphy will likely start the season on the injured list, leaving the Giants have two main choices for backup catcher: Sam Huff and Max Stassi. Huff, who was claimed off waivers, is already on the 40-man roster; Stassi is a non-roster invitee. Huff has flashed impressive power this spring and has often started on days where Patrick Bailey is off.

Luis Matos, a right-handed hitter, gets the edge over Grant McCray, a left-handed hitter, because Matos can platoon with right fielder Mike Yastrzemski. McCray is also in need of more seasoning with Triple-A Sacramento after striking out in 43.1% of his plate appearances with the Giants last season.

With Huff, Matos and Jerar Encarnacion occupying three of the four bench spots, San Francisco will likely roll with Brett Wisely over Casey Schmitt because Wisely provides the Giants with a left-handed bat off the bench.

No more blackouts: SF Giants games now available on MLB.TV

Bay Area baseball fans can now watch the Giants and A’s directly through MLB.TV, starting this season.

MLB and NBC Sports announced on Wednesday that the league will provide subscribers with a direct-to-consumer package for Giants and A’s games in the clubs’ home markets.

Previously, such games were blacked out.

RELATED: NBC Sports Bay Area is heading to Peacock as an add-on subscription

The new package will include pre- and postgame shows that can be watched on the league’s streaming service.

Packages for the Giants and A’s will start at $19.99 and can be bundled with out-of-market games for $39.99. Games that appear on national platforms will not be available as part of the package.

MLB now has a direct-to-consumer option for 26 of its 30 teams.

“We are excited to partner with NBC to continue increasing the reach of MLB games for our fans,” Noah Garden, MLB Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, said in a statement. “We have been hard at work with our Clubs and RSNs {Regional Sports Networks} to address one of the top issues that baseball fans have had for years, which has been blackouts. This agreement with NBC marks an important step in that effort as we now have nearly 90% of the league with a DTC {Direct to Consumer} streaming option available in their market.”

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The news on Wednesday comes just a day after NBC Sports announced that it would sell a Peacock add-on for NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California without a cable subscription.

Each add-on will cost $17.95 on top of a $7.99 Premium or $13.99 Premium Plus (no ads) subscription to Peacock.

High School basketball: Central Coast all-star rosters

The 12th annual Reggie Stephens Foundation Central Coast All-Star high school basketball game between Santa Cruz County and Monterey County will be held Sunday at Scotts Valley High School.

Girls tip-off, 2 p.m. Boys tip-off, 4 p.m.

Boys

Monterey County roster

Jaeden Chen, Monterey

Jamar Aquino, Monterey

J.J. Roth, Monterey

Warren Blut, Carmel

Simeon Brown, Carmel

Hudson Rutherford, Carmel

Misael Palafox-Silva, Alisal

Soren Roberts, Palma

Andew Hale, Rancho San Juan

Kenji Mellin, North County

Coaches: Greg Daniels, Monterey, July Barredo, Marina

Santa Cruz County roster

Will Schilling, Scotts Valley

Taylor Knox, Scotts Valley

Jacob Sanders, Scotts Valley

Nash Horton, St. Francis

Guerande Houssin, Santa Cruz

Mosiah Cumberbatch, Santa Cruz

Isaiah Ackerman, Aptos

Nick Tovani, Aptos

Ryan Solario, Aptos

Nico Ramirez, Soquel

Coaches: Robert Gomez, St. Francis and Lawan Milhouse, Santa Cruz

Girls

Monterey County roster

Savannah Hardy, Pacific Grove

Lilli Gaona, Pacific Grove

Brooklyn Choates, Monterey

Ashley Torres, North County

Peyton Phillips, North County

Aveena Ducusin, Palma

Frankie Rossi, Palma

Mia Martin, Marina

Savannah Radowicz, Carmel

Azaia Losada-Phillips, Rancho San Juan

Coach: Marquise Pickrom, Pacific Grove

Santa Cruz County roster

Abi Shi, Scotts Valley

Claire Skinner, Scotts Valley

Berkeley Ashby, Aptos

Ana Maurer, Soquel

Addie Payne, Pacific Collegiate

Sophia Cortes, Monte Vista

Maeve Flynn, St. Francis

Brianna Leon, Watsonville

Hailey Brooks, Watsonville

Taylor Dunn, San Lorenzo Valley

Coaches: Zach Cook, Watsonville, Kenedi Walters, San Lorenzo Valley

 

Trump to order a plan to shut down the US Education Department

By COLLIN BINKLEY and CHRIS MEGERIAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Thursday calling for the shutdown of the U.S. Education Department, according to a White House official, advancing a campaign promise to eliminate an agency that’s been a longtime target of conservatives.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity before an announcement.

Trump has derided the Department of Education as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology. However, finalizing its dismantling is likely impossible without an act of Congress, which created the department in 1979.

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A White House fact sheet said the order would direct Secretary Linda McMahon “to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure (of) the Department of Education and return education authority to the States, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”

Trump’s Republican administration has already been gutting the agency. Its workforce is being slashed in half, and there have been deep cuts to the Office for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences, which gathers data on the nation’s academic progress.

Advocates for public schools said eliminating the department would leave children behind in an American education system that is fundamentally unequal.

“This isn’t fixing education. It’s making sure millions of children never get a fair shot. And we’re not about to let that happen without a fight,” the National Parents Union said in a statement.

The White House has not spelled out formally which department functions could be handed off to other departments, or eliminated altogether. At her confirmation hearing, McMahon said she would preserve core initiatives, including Title I money for low-income schools and Pell grants for low-income college students. The goal of the administration, she said, would be “a better functioning Department of Education.”

The department sends billions of dollars a year to schools and oversees $1.6 trillion in federal student loans.

Currently, much of the agency’s work revolves around managing money — both its extensive student loan portfolio and a range of aid programs for colleges and school districts, from school meals to support for homeless students. The agency also plays a significant role in overseeing civil rights enforcement.

Federal funding makes up a relatively small portion of public school budgets — roughly 14%. The money often supports supplemental programs for vulnerable students, such as the McKinney-Vento program for homeless students or Title I for low-income schools.

Colleges and universities are more reliant on money from Washington, through research grants along with federal financial aid that helps students pay their tuition.

Republicans have talked about closing the Education Department for decades, saying it wastes taxpayer money and inserts the federal government into decisions that should fall to states and schools. The idea has gained popularity recently as conservative parents’ groups demand more authority over their children’s schooling.

In his platform, Trump promised to close the department “and send it back to the states, where it belongs.” Trump has cast the department as a hotbed of “radicals, zealots and Marxists” who overextend their reach through guidance and regulation.

At the same time, Trump has leaned on the Education Department to promote elements of his agenda. He has used investigative powers of the Office for Civil Rights and the threat of withdrawing federal education funding to target schools and colleges that run afoul of his orders on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports, pro-Palestinian activism and diversity programs.

Even some of Trump’s allies have questioned his power to close the agency without action from Congress, and there are doubts about its political popularity. The House considered an amendment to close the agency in 2023, but 60 Republicans joined Democrats in opposing it.

During Trump’s first term, former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos sought to dramatically reduce the agency’s budget and asked Congress to bundle all K-12 funding into block grants that give states more flexibility in how they spend federal money. It was rejected, with pushback from some Republicans.

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

John Lynch: 49ers ‘had to clear the requisite room’ ahead of Brock Purdy extension

STANFORD — As 16 players got plucked off the 49ers’ roster in the past week, their financial predicament kept general manager John Lynch from restocking the pond with big-name, big-money free agents.

“It’s terrible sitting on your hands,” Lynch said.

He’s not sitting idle. Lynch attended pro day workouts at the University of Oregon on Tuesday and at his alma mater Stanford on Wednesday. Five weeks remain until an NFL Draft that’s critical to finding the 49ers’ replacements.

“We’re excited about the way this draft stacks up and how our picks are coming together,” Lynch said in an exclusive interview Wednesday with the Bay Area News Group and The Athletic. “The process, this is the fun part.”

Last week was not so fun. Their roster is a shell of their 2023 team’s Super Bowl lineup. Among last week’s roster casualties were defensive linemen Leonard Floyd and Maliek Collins, both of whom were released despite playing every game.

“The bottom line is you’re always looking years out,” Lynch said. “As we forecasted, we obviously have some big things coming our way, and you have to clear the requisite room to be able to do that.”

The biggest thing on the horizon is a contract extension they’re negotiating for quarterback Brock Purdy, who figures to join other quarterbacks making at least $50 million annually.

Lynch kept private any updates on extensions for Purdy, as well as tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner. “We never talk (publicly about contracts) but we love all those guys,” Lynch added.

Even with those guys, the 49ers failed in last season’s push to return to the Super Bowl, instead getting waylaid by injuries and personal tragedies en route to a 6-11, last-place finish.

“You don’t want to get to a point where you have to do things to keep your roster afloat. You want to have that flexibility,” Lynch added. “That’s the one thing people should realize: We’ve been really blessed and fortunate that ownership has allowed us to go and last year we had such a good roster that we double-downed and said ‘Let’s go for this thing.’

“We pushed kind of all the chips in knowing at some point you’d have to have the reset, and this was the year.”

Aside from re-signing Kyle Juszczyk (two years, $8 million) only days after releasing him, the 49ers’ biggest commitments have been to tight end Luke Farrell (three years, $20 million), wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (two years, $9.5 million), and quarterback Mac Jones (two years, $7 million). Siran Neal, a special-teams ace and cornerback, signed a two-year deal Tuesday, after one-year deals last week landed linebacker Luke Gifford, cornerback Tre Brown, long snapper Jon Weeks, and safeties Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant.

“We like the adds we made,” Lynch said. “It’s not the biggest names, like years past, but we like the guys we’ve added to our team.”

Jones’ addition comes four years after the 49ers conducted a flood of Zoom interviews with him ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, only to use the No. 3 pick on Trey Lance. Lynch indicated Wednesday that the 49ers are somewhat set at quarterback with Jones and Tanner Mordecai backing up Purdy.

So far, 16 players have signed elsewhere, including a handful of starters and fan favorites: linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, cornerback Charvarius Ward, guard Aaron Banks and running backs Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell.

Asked specifically about a late push to keep Greenlaw from signing with Denver, Lynch said: “We’ve all seen when healthy what a fabulous player he is. He’s a difference-maker. Really grateful to Dre for all the contributions he made to the Niners. Special player. It’s hard to see guys like that leave but it’s part of this business. You can’t keep them all.”

Lynch signaled the 49ers’ roster reshuffling a month ago at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, noting they needed to throttle back from their cash-spending ways and “reset” and “recalibrate” to a younger corps.

So what in the heck happened with Juszczyk? Released Tuesday, Juszczyk tested free agency and circled back Saturday on a deal that became official Wednesday. Lynch said the new deal offers “some clarity so we’re not doing this every year with him. The guy’s been a tremendous player.”

Juszczyk visited the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday and spoke with other teams.

“It worked out. He was able to go see what was there. Sometimes you have to go through that process to know how much this place meant to him,” Lynch said. ” We did what we could do at the end and we met at a place we were both happy. We’re thrilled to have him back. He’s been a big part. The opportunity to have a guy like that up on the (franchise’s) 10-year Wall, it meant something to us and to him.”

The 49ers have yet to sign any projected starter in what’s been a cost-conscious, slow-playing approach to free agency.

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Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan are entering their ninth season as the 49ers’ brass, and this is the second draft in which Tariq Ahmad and R.J. Gillen have served as co-directors of player personnel, in the wake of Adam Peters’ departure to become Washington’s general manager.

“I’m real proud of our staff. It means we’ve acquired a lot of talented people when our backups are making $15 million and turned down more money to take that offer,” Lynch said. “Our scouts should take a bow because they’ve done a really nice job acquiring talent.

“Maybe that lets you know how good of a roster I believe that we did have,” Lynch added. “That’s the past and now we move forward. We have to rely on the fact of going back to work.”

Eleven picks await in the draft, starting at No. 11 overall.

Added Lynch: “I love the draft, because I like to say it’s the greatest representation of our organization coming together and gaining consensus on players and it’s a great opportunity to kind of refuel your team, and that’s what we’re looking for.”