Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 194

March 11, 2025

Horoscopes March 11, 2025: Anthony Davis, take the path that leads to your destination of choice

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Anthony Davis, 32; Thora Birch, 43; Johnny Knoxville, 54; Terrence Howard, 56.

Happy Birthday: Stop waiting for someone else to make a move. Take the path that leads to your destination of choice. Take the guessing out of your life, define what you want and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the results. Be the one to lead the way and bask in the glory of taking responsibility for your happiness. Put your energy where it brings the highest return. Your numbers are 8, 15, 21, 29, 32, 38, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Do something to help others. Pitching in will make you feel grateful for who you are and what you have and will bring you in contact with people who share your sentiments. Expand your circle of friends and interests, and you’ll discover something you want to pursue. Self-improvement and love are favored. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Impulsiveness will lead to poor choices. Concentrate on one thing at a time, and you’ll accomplish what you set out to do. Timing is everything; thought and planning will make you look like a pro. Put your mind at ease by being proactive and resolving a matter concerning your health or home. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Sit back for a change, and let the dust settle before you begin again. Distancing yourself from a problem or situation will help you gain perspective on how to improve things. Listen to your heart instead of letting someone else bully you. Evaluate what’s important, and do what’s best for you. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): An innovative approach to whatever someone asks you to do will help you surpass expectations. Be cognizant of others, but refuse to let anyone outshine or manipulate you. Put your best foot forward, and put your energy where it counts. Shut out negativity and those trying to lead you astray. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Refuse to let a change of plans unnerve you. Go about your business, finish what you start and set your priorities straight to avoid outside interference. Personal improvements, educational pursuits and being proactive will help you get ahead and establish a routine that encourages success. Implement self-love into your routine. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Visit a destination that offers visual, mental or emotional stimulation. Igniting your senses, giving yourself a chance to dream and putting your life in perspective will help you pave a smooth path forward. Trust and believe in yourself, and you won’t be disappointed. It’s time to live, love and be happy. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take the time to interact with knowledgeable people, and expand your circle of friends and interests. Doors will open, and proposals will spark your imagination and help you prioritize your schedule to ensure you get to explore what draws your attention most. Personal growth, self-love and unique partnerships are favored. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Turn up the volume and put your running shoes on; it’s time to get serious and get things done. Refuse to let emotional situations overrule your plans or hinder your reputation or ability to finish things on time. Stay focused, and you’ll outsmart and outdo anyone who wants to slow you down. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): An open mind, courage and a positive attitude will help you navigate highs and lows. Refuse to let outside influences dampen your day or the things you want to pursue. Live life in the moment, and don’t deny yourself the right to pursue what makes you happy. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Look for alternative ways to stretch your money. Whether you start a sideline business, invest or apply for a higher-income position, you will discover you have more control over your financial future than you anticipated. Put your energy into looking, feeling and doing your best, and you’ll attract positive results. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Home improvements that help to lower your utilities or overall expenses are achievable. Do the work yourself when possible, and oversee any outsourcing to ensure you get your money’s worth. Fixing up your surroundings or updating your appearance will boost your confidence and make you feel good about pursuing prospects. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Move into high gear and make positive changes. Improve how you live, work and handle your money. Chat with experts and people you trust to point you in the right direction. Take the initiative; it will ease your mind and free up time and cash for the things you enjoy doing most. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are progressive, detailed and persistent. You are compassionate and understanding.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.

2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.

3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.

4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.

5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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Published on March 11, 2025 03:00

March 10, 2025

Hield, Payton step up off the bench to help Warriors past Blazers

SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors entered Monday night 12-1 when Buddy Hield scores at least 18 points. When the volatile 3-point marksman is on, Golden State is hard to beat.

When both Hield and Gary Payton II exceed 20 points? They’re world-beaters.

Hield had his best game since the opening weeks of the season, dropping 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting (six 3s) while adding seven assists. Meanwhile, a running hook shot late in the fourth quarter gave Payton a career-high of 26 points, exceeding his previous best set on the last day of the 2017-18 season with the Lakers.

Despite a scare in the third quarter, the Warriors (37-28) stiff-armed a young Portland squad that has surprised opponents in the second half. The 130-120 win gives Golden State 10 victories in its last 11 games.

“Buddy was great,” head coach Steve Kerr said postgame. “Moses (Moody) was great. Gary. We got so many contributions from these guys. It was an all-around effort. I feel like when we knock down a bunch of 3s from guys other than Steph, we’re going to be really hard to beat…Ten combined from Gary and Buddy, that doesn’t happen very often so we’ve got to embrace it when it does.”

Golden State Warriors’ Buddy Hield #7 steals the ball from Portland Trail Blazers’ Anfernee Simons #1 in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Jimmy Butler logged his 18th career triple double, pushing the Warriors’ record to 12-1 with him in the lineup. Steph Curry (24 points on 5-for-11 from 3) inched within two 3-pointers of the unprecedented 4,000 mark and Moses Moody added 20. The Warriors shot 21-for-41 from deep overall, overcoming Deni Avdija’s efficient 34-point night.

“I like playing with Jimmy,” Payton said postgame. “Jimmy’s fun to play with.”

The Warriors made six of their first eight 3-pointers against a feisty Portland defense, but the Blazers hung around by slicing to the basket.

Three blocks from Quinten Post — starting in place of Brandin Podziemski — helped clean up some breaches on the perimeter.

Golden State scored 35 points in the first quarter but only led by eight. The Blazers’ defense ranks sixth in the league over the past 15 games, spearheaded by head coach Chauncy Billups and rangy wings like Avdija, Toumani Camara, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson.

But the Warriors’ 3s kept falling, and they stretched their lead even as Curry sat. Hield hit three, Payton chipped in four more — taking advantage of his defenders sagging off of him — and Moody drained a relocation trey off precise ball and player movement.

Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II #0 dunks in the fourth quarter of their NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Threes are better than twos, as the Warriors have known as well as anyone for the past 16 seasons with Curry.

Payton’s four 3s in the first half matched his career high; his 16 points off the bench helped the Warriors enter halftime with a 68-49 lead. At that point, the Warriors shot 12-for-21 from behind the arc. Portland was 5-for-18.

Even 19-point leads aren’t always safe in the modern NBA.

Portland started the second half on a 19-7 run, inching within eight as the Warriors suddenly went cold. Portland drove past Golden State’s initial level of defense consistently and kicked out for outside shots, evening out the 3-point discrepancy. Back-to-back buckets from Moody — thriving in his role as a hustle glue guy — didn’t quell the tide.

Avdija drilled a 3 to cut Golden State’s lead to six. Then Curry sprung loose in transition and stopped on a dime to use Scoot Henderson’s momentum against him for a momentum-stopping third 3 of the night.

After Payton’s seventh field goal of the game, Hield picked Anfernee Simons’ pocket and dribbled into a 3 on the other end. Curry added another 3 as two Blazers haphazardly closed out to Gui Santos in the corner, leaving him wide open.

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 shoots a 3-point basket over Portland Trail Blazers’ Donovan Clingan #23in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. Curry made 5 of 11 3-point baskets, just two short of hitting 4,000 career threes. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

With three minutes left in the third quarter and the Blazers still refusing to concede, Curry launched an off-balanced 27 footer over two defenders. It was the kind of shot only he’d even dare to take, let alone sink.

Hield and Payton each crossed the 20-point mark early in the fourth, with Payton slamming home an alley-oop to bring the Chase Center crowd to its feet. Just like that, the bench put the game away in three minutes with Curry resting.

In Golden State’s current hot streak, they’ve won several games they probably would’ve lost earlier in the season, before Butler arrived. This may have been a backbreaking one, the type of loss that depletes a team.

Instead, the Warriors keep rolling.

“I’m glad that I have the opportunity to be a part of the winning that we’re doing here,” Butler said. “Just playing some incredible basketball. Playing together on both sides of the floor, it’s really fun.”

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 ad Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III #10 double team Portland Trail Blazers’ Toumani Camara #33 in the second quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 walks off the court after their 130-120 NBA win against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody #4 shoots a layup past Portland Trail Blazers’ Scoot Henderson #00 in the second quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green #23 hits the court as he vies for a loose ball with Portland Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija #8 in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gestures from the sideline in the fourth quarter of their NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III #10 shoots past Portland Trail Blazers’ Shaedon Sharpe #17 and Toumani Camara #33 in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

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Golden State Warriors’ Quinten Post #21 looks to pass in the third quarter of their NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody #4 shoots past Portland Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija #8 in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski, right center, talks with teammate Stephen Curry #30 on the bench in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Buddy Hield #7 shoots a 3-point basket over Portland Trail Blazers’ Scoot Henderson #00 after stealing the ball in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

The Golden State Warriors bench celebrates during a timeout in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry #30 is fouled by Portland Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija #8 in the third quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green #23 calls for the inbound pass in the fourth quarter of their NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody #4 is fouled by Portland Trail Blazers’ Donovan Clingan #23 in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors’ Buddy Hield #7 signs autographs for fans after their 130-120 NBA win against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

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Published on March 10, 2025 21:23

Steph Curry on verge of eclipsing 4,000 3-pointer mark ahead of Warriors-Blazers

SAN FRANCISCO — Like 3-pointers, records come in bunches for Steph Curry.

Curry eclipsed 25,000 career points over the weekend and is now just seven 3s away from another hallowed benchmark: 4,000 made 3s.

Before Curry changed the game, no one had ever reached 3,000 triples in their career. Now, everyone launches from Curry range and teams like the Celtics average nearly 50 attempts per game.

Last time Curry neared a 3-point milestone, in December of 2021, he admitted to psyching himself up. He was approaching Ray Allen’s record of 2,973 but labored to get there. He went through a mini-slump, shooting 34% from deep in the five games before setting the record in front of Allen at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 14, 2021.

Curry doesn’t have that same issue this time around.

Over the past 12 games, Curry is averaging 30.1 points per game, second in that span behind only MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He has hit 40% of his 3s since Feb. 5 and just ripped off an epic road trip that included a season-high 56-point burst.

“Steph is something like we’ve never seen,” Portland head coach Chauncey Billups said.

To reach 4,000 on Monday night, Curry would need to hit seven 3s. He’s done that in 11 of his 55 games this season, meaning that’s an ambitious target even for him. The feisty Blazers, led by Toumani Camara, Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija, also rank seventh in defensive rating over the past 15 games.

But excellent performances have been coming more and more often recently for Curry. Nothing he does should be surprising anymore.

“I am desensitized to the 3s because they just come flooding through game after game,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “Four-thousand is just an insane number. But it just feels kind of natural.”

Warriors optimistic Kuminga, Podziemski return soon

Kerr said the team is “hopeful” that Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski return later this week. Kuminga is missing his 31st straight game on Monday with a severe ankle sprain; he’s been participating in full-contact scrimmages over the past week-plus. Podziemski, meanwhile, tweaked his back less than a minute into the Warriors’ game against the Nets last Thursday.

Steph Curry joined his alma mater Davidson College as an assistant general manager of the basketball programs on Monday morning. He’s part of a team building an eight-figure fund to compensate athletes and will advise the team.

Kerr said he hopes the role is more ceremonial than practical.

“I’m wondering: is he going to clean house?” Kerr joked. “Is he going in there firing everywhere? I don’t know. We’ll see. I think he’s kinda busy. So I’m hoping it’s a ceremonial role more than anything. If he asks me if he can not play a game so he can go scout some college games, I’m probably going to say no. Although, it is Steph Curry, so I’ll probably say yes actually. I hope he does not ask.”

Double-bigs starting

For a second straight game, Quinten Post is starting in Podziemski’s slot, joining Draymond Green in a two-big front court. Post has been so effective as a floor-spacing center, he has pushed Trayce Jackson-Davis fully out of the rotation.

Golden State sent Jackson-Davis down to Santa Cruz to get real game reps on Sunday night. The Rising Star logged 28 points and 12 rebounds.

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Published on March 10, 2025 18:46

McCray, Matos continue making bids for SF Giants’ fourth outfield spot

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The competition for the fifth spot in the Giants’ rotation has been a talking point since the first day of camp. Every time Landen Roupp or Hayden Birdsong or Kyle Harrison takes the mound, the narrative stands to shift in some respect. For all those headlines, the battle for the fourth outfield job, though, is not without its own intrigue.

Especially given how well its two competitors are playing.

Grant McCray and Luis Matos both furthered their cases to make the Opening Day roster as the Giants beat the Rockies, 8-2, on Monday afternoon at Salt River Fields. McCray had a single, a double, a walk, a steal and scored two runs while Matos, the favorite to win the job, smashed a 108.2 mph single, stole a base of his own and scored a run.

“Grant’s been playing great now after a little bit of a tough time and striking out early on,” said manager Bob Melvin. “Luis has been swinging the bat pretty consistently the whole time. It’s good to have competition.”

With roughly two weeks of Cactus League games remaining, McCray is enjoying a bit of a statistical edge over Matos. McCray, who made his debut last season, owns a .346 batting average and .952 OPS with a team-leading four stolen bases while Matos, the reigning Rookie of the Year in the Venezuelan Winter League, is hitting .324 with a .795 OPS. For McCray, he wants more of a challenge whenever he reaches base.

“I want them to pick over,” McCray said. “I want to get dirty. I haven’t been getting as dirty. I’ve been stealing these bases with ease. I want to make them work a little bit. I’m just antsy a little bit. I want to get back to stealing 60 bags a year, 70 bags a year. I’m just trying to get my legs under me, feel it out right now.”

Matos, 23, makes more sense to win the job for the Opening Day roster. Along with having more major-league experience (121 games) than McCray (37 games), the Giants can platoon Matos with right fielder Mike Yastrzemski against left-handed pitching. Matos, a right-handed hitter, has a career .273 batting average and .758 OPS against lefties in the majors whereas Yastrzemski has a .223 batting average and .686 OPS.

McCray could also benefit from more seasoning with Triple-A Sacramento. The 24-year-old doesn’t lack for physical tools, combining solid pop with elite speed and arm strength, but McCray struck out in 56 of his 130 plate appearances (43.1%) during his brief time in San Francisco. For comparison, the A’s Zack Gelof had the worst strikeout rate among all qualified hitters at 34.4%.

“I’m just competing to be on the team,” McCray said. “Honestly, whoever they decide to put as our fourth outfielder or platoon outfielder, that’s their decision. For me, it’s more of just come to the field and do what I do best: play hard. If they want me on the team, they want me on team. I’m not looking at it as a competition. We’re all teammates at the end of the day. I want to see this team win, whether I’m on it or not.”

Birdsong continues bid for fifth spot

Speaking of that fifth rotation spot, Birdsong needed just 45 pitches to complete three scoreless innings with four strikeouts against the Colorado Rockies. So efficient, in fact, that the Giants sent him back to the bullpen at Salt River Fields to meet his pitch count requirement as he continues to build up.

“He throws his breaking ball for a strike whenever he wants to,” Melvin said. “His fastball command is getting better. Once he gets that down, he’s going to be a tough customer to deal with because he can throw any pitch in any count. We saw him last year. There were times he was really good. Pitched as well as anybody we had at times.”

Birdsong, who’s in competition for the fifth spot along with Kyle Harrison and Landen Roupp, has been excellent in Cactus League play, allowing one earned run over seven innings. Including his outing against Giants minor leaguers at Papago Park, Birdsong has a 2.89 ERA with 13 strikeouts to one walk this spring.

Over at Papago Park, Harrison allowed one earned run over 3 2/3 innings with three strikeouts but allowed two walks and five hits.

Webb continues tinkering with changeup

Logan Webb, the Giants’ Opening Day starter, allowed two earned runs over 4 2/3 innings to the Rockies, his longest outing of Cactus League play so far. The main intrigue of Webb’s start lies not with his performance, but with his changeup velocity.

Webb threw nine changeups against Colorado which registered an average velocity of 85.4 mph. Last season, his average changeup clocked in at 87.4 mph — so he was a full two ticks slower Monday. Webb has talked about wanting to tinker with his changeup. So, was this velo drop intentional?

“Maybe,” Webb said with a smile. “I think I got in trouble last year when I’d throw a couple that were 90 (mph). I just thought it kind of took the shape away. But, today, the homer I gave up was 83 (mph). Still working on it. Overall, I thought it was really good.”

Updates on Meckler, Murphy

The Giants announced on Monday morning that outfielder Wade Meckler has a mild neck strain and will enter concussion protocol. Meckler exited in the first inning of Sunday’s split-squad game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park after diving for a fly ball and landing hard on the outfield warning track.

Additionally, backup catcher Tom Murphy received a second epidural injection and will be limited to rehab activities for two weeks. With Opening Day on March 27, Murphy will begin the season on the injured list.

Tuesday’s start time moved up

The Giants’ home game on Tuesday night against the A’s has been moved from 6:05 p.m. PST to 4:05 p.m. PST. Rain is in the forecast for Tuesday night in Scottsdale.

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Published on March 10, 2025 16:35

Senate confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Trump’s labor secretary

By CATHY BUSSEWITZ

The Senate voted Monday to confirm Lori Chavez-DeRemer as U.S. labor secretary, a Cabinet position that puts her in charge of enforcing federally mandated worker rights and protections at a time when the White House is trying to eliminate thousands of government employees.

Chavez-DeRemer will oversee the Department of Labor, one of several executive departments named in lawsuits challenging the authority of billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to order layoffs and access sensitive government data.

The Labor Department had nearly 16,000 full-time employees and a proposed budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025. Some of its vast responsibilities include reporting the U.S. unemployment rate, regulating workplace health and safety standards, investigating minimum wage, child labor and overtime pay disputes, and applying laws on union organizing and unlawful terminations.

Several prominent labor unions, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, endorsed Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination. The former Republican congresswoman from Oregon is the daughter of a Teamster, and during her one term in the House earned a reputation as pro-labor.

The Senate voted to confirm Chavez-DeRemer 67-32, with 17 Democrats voting yes and three Republicans voting no.

The Senate has now confirmed all but one of Trump’s picks for his Cabinet. Its Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions had voted 14-9 in favor of her nomination last week, with all Republicans except Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky giving Chavez-DeRemer their support. Three Democrats on the committee — Sens. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Tim Kaine of Virginia and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire — voted with the majority.

During her confirmation hearing before the committee, several Republican senators grilled Chavez-DeRemer about her decision to co-sponsor legislation that would have made it easier for workers to unionize and penalized employers who stood in the way of organizing efforts.

She declined to explicitly state whether she still backed the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, also known as the PRO Act.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer attends a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on her nomination for Secretary of Labor, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Chavez-DeRemer explained she had signed on as a co-sponsor because she wanted a seat at the table to discuss important labor issues. Under further questioning, she walked back some of her support of the bill, saying that she supported state “right to work” laws, which allow employees to refuse to join a union in their workplace.

The PRO Act did not come up for a vote during her time in Congress, but the legislation was reintroduced in the House and Senate last week.

“As we speak, Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies are stealing the American dream away from working families, rigging every lever of society in favor of the billionaire class,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. “That’s why we need the PRO Act, to empower hardworking Americans to bargain for better wages, benefits, and safer working conditions.”

During her time in Congress Chavez-DeRemer also co-sponsored legislation which sought to protect public-sector workers from having their Social Security benefits docked because of government pension benefits. That bill also stalled because it didn’t have enough Republican support.

Chavez-DeRemer walked a fine line during her confirmation hearing, attempting to appeal to both Democrats and Republicans. On the subject of whether the federal minimum wage was overdue for an increase, she said she recognized it hadn’t been raised from $7.25 an hour since 2009 but that she would not want to “shock the economy.”

Some Democratic senators and workers’ rights advocates have questioned how much independence Chavez-DeRemer would have as President Donald Trump’s labor secretary and where her allegiance would lie in an administration that has fired thousands of federal employees.

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Published on March 10, 2025 16:25

Musk eyes Social Security and benefit programs for cuts while claiming widespread fraud

By CHRIS MEGERIAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Elon Musk pushed debunked theories about Social Security on Monday while describing federal benefit programs as rife with fraud, suggesting they will be a primary target in his crusade to reduce government spending.

The billionaire entrepreneur, who is advising President Donald Trump, suggested that $500 billion to $700 billion in waste needed to be cut.

“Most of the federal spending is entitlements,” Musk told the Fox Business Network. “That’s the big one to eliminate.”

The comments on the popular program and other benefits provided to Americans could rattle politicians on both sides of the aisle as Musk works to downsize the federal government, especially as he already faces blowback for his chainsaw-wielding approach to laying off workers and slashing programs.

Musk’s estimate for the level of fraud in entitlements far outpaces figures from watchdogs like Social Security’s inspector general, who previously said there was $71.8 billion in improper payments from fiscal years 2015 through 2022. That’s less than 1% of benefits paid out during that time period.

Musk also said there were “20 million people who are definitely dead marked as alive in the Social Security database.” However, the leader of the agency has rejected claims about widespread payments to dead people.

“These individuals are not necessarily receiving benefits,” said Lee Dudek, Social Security’s acting commissioner.

The interview with Fox Business was a reminder of Musk’s deep skepticism and even hostility toward the program, which provides monthly benefits to retirees and some children. Trump has promised to defend Social Security from cuts, but Musk has described it as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time,” and the administration is shutting down some of the agency’s offices.

Musk said Monday that federal entitlements are “a mechanism by which the Democrats attract and retain illegal immigrants by essentially paying them to come here and then turning them into voters.” The allegation echoed the “great replacement” theory, which claims that politicians are trying to expand their power by reshaping the country’s racial demographics.

The interview was conducted in the White House complex by Larry Kudlow, who served as an economic adviser to Trump during his first term. During the conversation, Musk seemed to acknowledge the unusual nature of his role in the administration.

“Frankly, I can’t believe I’m here doing this,” Musk said. “It’s kind of bizarre.”

Musk is the world’s richest person and still runs his private enterprises as he advises the president on ways to overhaul the federal government.

He also thanked Trump for his confidence, saying, “Without the president’s support, we couldn’t make any progress here.”

Trump has publicly backed Musk and given him extraordinary influence over the federal government. However, the Republican president has indicated a shift in approach, saying that Musk’s team would use a “scalpel” rather than a “hatchet.”

Musk has not often spoken publicly since joining the administration, preferring instead to present a stream of consciousness on X, his social media platform. On Monday, he accused Democrats of attacking Tesla dealerships; bragged about X being “the top source for news on Earth;” and accused Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a former fighter pilot and astronaut, of being a traitor for visiting Ukraine over the weekend.

Musk’s sitdown with Kudlow was his third interview since joining Trump’s administration, and he hasn’t strayed from his ideological safe space. He previously did a joint interview with the president and Sean Hannity of Fox News, and he sat down with Joe Rogan, a podcaster who endorsed Trump last year.

Republicans have spent decades trying to reduce the size and scope of the federal government, and many have cheered Musk’s work.

“The American people are sick of the swamp. They’re sick of waste, fraud and abuse,” said Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, who leads the National Republican Congressional Committee. “For the first time ever, we finally have the tools to affect it. So I think the voters are going to reward us.”

But there are signs of backlash and skepticism. Some Republicans have even boasted of blocking budget cuts.

Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole issued a statement saying three federal offices in his state — the National Weather Center in Norman, the Social Security Administration Office in Lawton and the Indian Health Services Office in Oklahoma City — would stay open.

“I am thrilled to announce that common sense has prevailed,” he said. Cole added that “all three of these places provide vital and valuable services to Oklahomans and I am so proud to have advocated for them.”

About half of Americans said it’s “a bad thing” that Trump has given Musk a prominent role in his administration, according to a mid-February CNN/SSRS poll. Only a third saw it as “a good thing.”

Another mid-February survey by The Washington Post and Ipsos found that Americans were divided on whether Musk is mainly cutting wasteful spending or necessary programs, with about a third falling into each camp. Another quarter said they weren’t sure.

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Published on March 10, 2025 15:57

EPA froze ‘green bank’ funds worth billions, climate group suit says

By MATTHEW DALY and MICHAEL PHILLIS

WASHINGTON (AP) — A nonprofit that was awarded nearly $7 billion by the Biden administration to finance clean energy and climate-friendly projects has sued President Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency, accusing it of improperly freezing a legally awarded grant.

Climate United Fund, a coalition of three nonprofit groups, demanded access to a Citibank account it received through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a program created in 2022 by the bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act and more commonly known as the green bank. The freeze threatens its ability to issue loans and even pay employees, the group said.

“The combined actions of Citibank and EPA effectively nullify a congressionally mandated and funded program,” Maryland-based Climate United wrote in a Monday court filing.

In a related action, the Coalition for Green Capital, a separate group that received $5 billion from the Biden-era program, sued Citibank Monday, alleging breach of contract over the refusal to disburse the grant funds awarded by the EPA.

“Citi’s actions have blocked CGC from deploying funds appropriated by Congress for energy projects to lower electricity costs and provide clean air and water for all Americans,” the Washington-based group said in a statement.

The two nonprofits are among eight groups tapped by then-EPA Administrator Michael Regan to receive $20 billion to finance tens of thousands of projects to fight climate change and promote environmental justice. The money was formally awarded in August.

While favored by congressional Democrats, the green bank drew immediate criticism from Republicans, who routinely denounced it as an unaccountable “slush fund.” Regan sharply disputed that claim.

The bank was quickly targeted by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who was confirmed to the role in late January. In a video posted on X, Zeldin said the EPA would revoke contracts for the still-emerging program. Zeldin cited a conservative journalist’s undercover video made late last year that showed a former EPA employee saying the agency was throwing “gold bars off the Titanic” — presumably a reference to spending before the start of Trump’s second term.

Zeldin has repeatedly used the term “gold bars” to accuse the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s recipients of misconduct, waste and possible fraud.

According to the lawsuit filed in federal court, Citibank cut off access to Climate United’s bank account on February 18 — an action the bank did not explain for weeks.

The cutoff took place as Zeldin made multiple public appearances accusing Climate United and other groups of misconduct, eventually announcing that the funds were frozen, according to the lawsuit. Climate United said the EPA has refused to meet with the group.

Several Democratic lawmakers slammed Zeldin’s attacks on the green bank as a “sham investigation and unsubstantiated funding freeze.”

The Trump administration’s “baseless attacks on these investments will only cost jobs, increase prices and harm our communities,” Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey and Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell said in a statement Monday. The three Democrats pushed for creation of the green bank.

Citibank said it was reviewing the Climate United lawsuit.

“As we’ve said previously, Citi has been working with the federal government in its efforts to address government officials’ concerns regarding this federal grant program,” the bank said in a statement Monday. “Our role as financial agent does not involve any discretion over which organizations receive grant funds. Citi will of course comply with any judicial decision.”

The EPA declined to comment, citing pending litigation. A hearing on the case is scheduled for Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

In its court filing, Climate United pointed to the resignation of Denise Cheung, a high-ranking prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Washington office, who said she was forced to step dow n after refusing demands from top Trump administration officials to freeze the climate groups’ assets.

Zeldin raised questions in a letter to the agency’s watchdog about the EPA’s use of Citibank to hold the money, a structure that allowed the eight entities to be used as “pass throughs” for eventual grant recipients. The process undermined transparency, Zeldin alleged.

He also questioned the qualifications of some of the entities overseeing the grants and said some were affiliated with the Biden administration or Democratic politics, including Stacey Abrams, a former Democratic nominee for Georgia governor. Trump singled out Abrams over her ties to the green bank in his address to Congress last week.

In a letter to EPA officials on March 4, Climate United disputed Zeldin’s allegations. The group’s lengthy application material is publicly available and the EPA used a rigorous selection process, Climate United said, adding that its spending is transparent.

In addition to Climate United, the new fund has awarded money to other nonprofits, including the Coalition for Green Capital, Power Forward Communities, Opportunity Finance Network, Inclusiv and the Justice Climate Fund. Those organizations have partnered with a range of groups, including Rewiring America, Habitat for Humanity and the Community Preservation Corporation.

The green bank represents ideas Congress enacted that the Trump administration doesn’t like: fighting climate change and helping communities that are often low-income or majority-Black and Hispanic, said Ilmi Granoff, a climate finance expert at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.

“The resources have already been spent, which means they’re trying to come up with pretexts to do something the government is not supposed to do, which is claw back resources” that Congress provided, Granoff said, comparing the Trump administration’s investigations to a “fishing expedition.”

The Trump administration said Friday that it’s pulling $400 million from Columbia University, canceling grants and contracts because of what the government describes as the Ivy League school’s failure to squelch antisemitism on campus.

Phillis reported from St. Louis.

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

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Published on March 10, 2025 15:35

Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey announce pregnancy with walk in a field

Olivia Culpo showed off her baby bump in a flowing white dress as she and her husband, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McMcCaffrey, took a walk in a sun-dappled field, passing by a forest with a mother deer and fawn.

The couple’s big announcement was revealed in a video that the model, influencer and former Miss Universe shared on Instagram Monday. Culpo, 32, also sat for a photo shoot, wearing another flowing white dress and cradling her baby bump. She captioned her black-and-white photos, “Next chapter, motherhood,” with a heart emoji.

It doesn’t look like Culpo and McCaffrey wasted much time starting a family after they wed in a lavish ceremony in June 2024 in the model’s home state of Rhode Island. Several months before the wedding, Culpo shared her desire on TikTok to “start trying immediately” for children as soon as she married the NFL star.

Also ahead of her nuptials, Culpo told Vogue that she viewed marriage as a “covenant.” She said, “It’s the beginning of the rest of your life — and it’s the union and bond of two people forever.”

Those sentiments were reflected in Culpo’s choice of wedding dress — a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown that some fashion influencers thought was a bit too traditional. Photos published in Vogue showed that Culpo’s gown was modest in style, with long sleeves, a high crew neck, a voluminous skirt and a button-lined back. Culpo also wore the gown with a 16-foot lace veil and 15-carat De Beers diamond earrings.

Culpo wanted her choice of gown to feel “as serious as that commitment.”

“When I think about Christian and what he loves and the moments that he thinks that I’m most beautiful, it’s absolutely in something like this: timeless, covered and elegant,” the model added.

Culpo and the San Francisco 49ers running back first sparked dating rumors in May 2019 and announced their engagement via a joint Instagram post in April 2023, People reported. They shared photos from the romantic proposal, which took place during an Utah getaway, including the moment when McCaffrey got down on one knee. Another picture offered a glimpse of Culpo’s ring, featuring a large oval diamond and epaulette side stones.

“We tried to keep this quiet for as long as possible, but apparently word travels fast,” Culpo wrote on her Instagram Story at the time. “I’m marrying my best friend, I love you so much, fiancé.”

As the 2023 Offensive NFL player of the year, McCaffrey is known as one of the best running backs in the game. However, last year was a lost season for him as he was riddled with injuries. He missed the season’s first two months with tendinitis in both Achilles, returned for a four-game stint but then was sidelined with a knee injury.

Earlier this year, he said he is intent on getting physically and mentally healthy again for the 2025 season.

“The mindset now has to shift quick,” McCaffrey told this news organization in January as the 49ers cleaned out their lockers after a 6-11, last-place season. “This was a tough year. Let’s learn from the mistakes and get ready for OTAs, because we don’t have time to mope on this year.”

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Published on March 10, 2025 15:33

Advocate Erin Brockovich hosting virtual town hall for Moss Landing fire

MONTEREY- Injury attorney law firm Singleton Schreiber and consumer advocate Erin Brockovich will host a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday to provide community updates and the next steps in litigation, following a mass tort several Monterey County residents filed against Vistra and PG&E for negligence during the Jan. 16 fire.

Brockovich is a consumer advocate and environmental activist who was famously instrumental in building a case against PG&E involving groundwater contamination in 1993. The successful suit was the subject of the Oscar-nominated film “Erin Brockovich” in 2000, starring Julia Roberts as Brockovich.

Testing from the county and Environmental Protection Agency have reaffirmed that they say there is no risk to public health. However, many Monterey County residents near and around the site of the Moss Landing Battery Plant fire have shared concerns about the aftermath of smoke and debris that was released.

A group of Monterey County residents filed a lawsuit in Alameda County against several companies for damages.

The complaint, filed by Singleton Schreiber, names Moss Landing Power Company, Vistra Corp., Dynegy Operating Company and LG Energy Solution among others as being negligent and liable for hazardous activities.

“The Moss Landing Battery Energy Storage System Facility used lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries that are more prone to thermal instability than newer alternatives like lithium-ion phosphate batteries,” the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit also claims that Vistra had an outdated water suppression system that failed to put out the January fire, and had too many batteries in one enclosed space.

Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions and share concerns during Tuesday’s meeting.

The virtual town hall meeting will take place at 6 p.m. via Zoom. You can register for the meeting and get the link at https://singletonschreiber.zoom.us/me....

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Published on March 10, 2025 14:47

83-year-old Prunedale man arrested after six-hour standoff with police

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team had a six-hour standoff with an 83-year-old man in Prunedale Sunday.

Frederick Pierce of Prunedale was arrested on multiple charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, resisting a peace officer and assault with a deadly weapon. He was also booked on an outstanding arrest warrant.

On Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team conducted the operation to serve an arrest warrant on the 16000-block of Avery Lane in an attempt to take Pierce into custody. Police said they have had several issues in the past arresting him, believing him to be armed and dangerous.

The Sheriff’s Office Negotiation Team, accompanied by Behavioral Health, were on the scene and contacted Pierce by phone. During the negotiations, police say it became evident that Pierce was not going to exit the residence and SWAT members went inside to arrest him.

Pierce allegedly threw a knife and fought with the members before being arrested without further incident. Pierce sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local medical facility. One SWAT team member also sustained minor injuries and was treated.

Sheriff’s Office deputies served Pierce with a civil eviction from the property at the 16000-block of Avery Lane in December. During the contact, Pierced failed to comply and retreated back into his house. When the deputies tried to contact him again, Pierce armed himself with a rifle. The deputies retreated and no further action was taken that day.

Later, detectives learned that Pierce was a convicted felon who had multiple firearms registered to his name. The Sheriff’s Office got an arrest warrant for resisting an officer, brandishing a firearm and being in possession of a firearm in violation of a court order. However, multiple attempts to take Pierce into custody were “made with negative results” according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives then learned that Pierce was likely in possession of a stolen firearm, and additional attempts to coordinate his arrest were “not successful.”

Pierce’s combined bail was set at $395,000.

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Published on March 10, 2025 14:24

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