Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 199
March 6, 2025
Best soil test kits
Coming up with a good soil blend for your plants is a lot like creating a recipe. You wouldn’t expect to succeed with a recipe with no idea how much of each ingredient to add.
A soil test kit allows you to measure specific amounts of crucial nutrients, as well as pH values, to understand what’s needed for healthier soil.
For immediate results, check out Sonkir Soil pH Meter. It is easy to operate and can be used repeatedly throughout the entire season.
What to know before you buy a soil test kitWhy you need a soil test kitFor your plants to thrive, they need particular soil conditions. If those conditions aren’t right, you’ll need to tweak them to create the ideal growing environment. A soil test kit lets you know exactly what you need to do to have that perfect soil. A soil test kit can save you time, money and frustration while helping your plants flourish.
Not all soil test kits work the sameThere are three types of soil test kits: instant-read probes, at-home lab tests and mail-in lab tests.
Instant-read probes: These soil test kits feature probes you insert into the soil. While these models do not offer the highest degree of precision or the most comprehensive data, individuals like them because they deliver immediate, hassle-free results.At-home lab tests: If you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, at-home lab tests go a bit deeper into the details than instant-read probes. The process is more involved. If you don’t like mixing and measuring, this type of kit won’t be much fun. However, if you want a hands-on experience to learn about your soil, this is an excellent option.Mail-in lab tests: As you might have guessed, mail-in lab tests are sent to a lab for analysis. You’ll collect soil samples according to specific directions and wait approximately a week for results. While this is the most comprehensive and accurate method, it’s the most prolonged process.What to look for in a quality soil test kitDoes the soil test kit provide the data you need?Not all soil tests measure the same elements. A soil test kit may measure the following:
Temperature: For convenience, some soil test kits will register temperature, so you know when it’s safe to plant those temperature-sensitive seeds.Light exposure: Sunlight requirements differ from plant to plant. A soil test kit that measures light exposure will let you know the perfect place to put your sun- or shade-loving plants.Moisture content: The soil’s moisture delivers nutrients to a plant’s roots. If your soil is too wet or dry, your plants will not thrive. It’s best to use a soil test kit that can measure moisture in the soil.Soil pH level: The pH level tells you how acidic your soil is. It’s vital to have slightly acidic or neutral soil for your plants to flourish. This type of test is a must-have for soil test kits.Nutrients in the soil: While there are several essential nutrients a plant needs to grow, the most important ones are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Both at-home lab tests and mail-in lab tests measure these three nutrients. Some soil test kits, however, measure many more.Testing accuracyWhile some individuals argue precise measurements are not always needed, they are never a bad thing. The more accurate your data is, the better equipped you will be to succeed.
Multiple testsIf you purchase a mail-in lab test, you will likely only get one test. Many at-home lab tests allow you to perform multiple tests, which can come in handy for verifying that the soil is ideal after it has been amended. An instant-read probe can be reused repeatedly but usually only measures soil pH, moisture and light.
How much you can expect to spend on a soil test kitThe price range for a soil test kit is roughly $10-$30. You will find instant-test probes at the lower end of that range, while at the higher end, you will have at-home lab test kits and mail-in lab test kits.
Soil test kit FAQIs a soil test kit only for gardens?A. You can use a soil test kit anywhere that you have soil. They can help you better understand conditions not only in your vegetable and flower garden but in your potted plants, lawn and compost as well.
My soil testing kit only measures pH levels between 5.0 and 9.0, is that enough?A. yes. The alkalinity of soil shouldn’t range beyond those parameters. If you have a test kit that measures the entire range, between 0.0 and 14.0, it might not be precise enough for your gardening needs.
What’s the best soil test kit to buy?Top soil test kit 
What you need to know: A handy, easy-to-use soil tester that measures pH, light and moisture.
What you’ll love: This model is reasonably priced, reliable and doesn’t require batteries. The unit features a one-button operation and provides immediate results.
What you should consider: While this model satisfies, you need to handle it with care when using it.
Top soil test kit for the money 
Whitetail Institute Soil Test Kit
What you need to know: This is a mail-in service that provides a detailed report of your soil sample to take the guesswork out of adding lime and fertilizer.
What you’ll love: The company provides thorough instructions on how to collect the best soil sample. Results are prompt and usually arrive within a week.
What you should consider: Results sometimes get lost in transit, but the company is helpful if that happens.
Worth checking out 
What you need to know: If you want the most comprehensive results, this mail-in option is the soil test kit to purchase.
What you’ll love: This kit tests for 13 different nutrient levels, so you have a detailed picture of your soil composition. You can use it to determine conditions for a wide variety of purposes ranging from gardening to composting.
What you should consider: This soil test kit is the priciest option on our shortlist.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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The best broom
Everybody needs a good broom in their cleaning tool repertoire, but a good broom with bristles that last a long time isn’t always easy to find. With spring cleaning right around the corner, having the right tools can make the job much easier.
The best broom to have at hand is the Libman 805.0 Push Broom. This push broom is perfect for sweeping up any kind of debris and has strong, durable bristles. The affordable price doesn’t hurt either.
What to know before you buy a broomBroom typesPush: Push brooms have very wide heads designed to push away debris rather than sweep them to the side. You can use them on interior and exterior surfaces, but they’re better for wide surfaces rather than those with tight spaces and crevices.Corn: This classic broom type’s bristles are made from corn fibers. For that reason, do not use it on wet surfaces because the moisture will degrade the fibers. They are excellent at sweeping up large debris and are lightweight for easy maneuvering.Hand: These are small brooms typically used in conjunction with a dustpan and easily stored away. Their size makes them best suited to cleaning small areas.Angled: These brooms usually are lightweight and have angled heads to get into cracks and crevices. They aren’t very useful on exterior surfaces but are fine on interior surfaces.Bristle materialsPolyester: Polyester works well on exterior and interior as well as dry and wet surfaces. They can collect finer materials and larger debris.Polystyrene: This quick-drying material makes it suited for wet surfaces, although it still works great on dust and dirt.Corn: A natural material, corn bristles are best suited to sweeping up large debris; they don’t work well with smaller particles.Tampico: Made from the fibers of agave cacti, tampico bristles are quite soft, which makes them best suited to sweeping away smaller, finer debris.Bass: Best suited to exterior surfaces, bass bristles are very durable and made from the fibers of the West African palm tree.What to look for in a quality broomHandle materialsWood: Wood handles are durable, but only as long as they are cared for; letting them get wet will cause rot, and the more they age, the more likely they are to crack.Plastic: The most affordable option, plastic handles are very light and easy to use. They tend to last the shortest amount of time, though.Metal: Different metal types can make this category a bit scattered but generally speaking, metal handles are quite durable and reasonably weighted.Fiberglass: This is the best material for your handle to be, but it also costs you the most. Fiberglass handles are lightweight, weatherproof and extremely durable. Choose this handle material for a broom you intend to use often and keep for a long time.Flagged vs. unflagged bristlesFlagged: Flagged bristles are frayed at their tips, helping them sweep away the finest amounts of dust. They don’t last as long as unflagged bristles.Unflagged: Blunt ended and quite straight, unflagged bristles are all about handling big pieces of debris. They’re more durable, but they often miss smaller particles.How much you can expect to spend on a broomBroom costs vary depending on the type of broom and the materials used in its handle and head. You can find very cheap options for $10, but high-end, high-quality brooms easily stretch into the $100 range or more.
Broom FAQCan you use the same broom for interior and exterior use?A: You can, but it’s a good idea to have a broom for each location; different brooms are better suited to the different surface and debris types typically found in exteriors and interiors.
Can you use your broom on wet surfaces?A: Yes. However, some brooms handle wet surfaces better than others, with synthetic bristled brooms handling wet surfaces the best.
What’s the best broom to buy?Top broom 
What you need to know: The ultrawide 2-foot head makes quick work of dirt and debris.
What you’ll love: Surprisingly light, this push broom cuts down on the energy needed to clean up messes.
What you should consider: Additional handles aren’t included.
Top broom for the money 
What you need to know: This broom is made from recycled materials.
What you’ll love: The angle of the bristles is precision cut for easy access to corners and crevices.
What you should consider: It does not come with a dustpan.
Worth checking out 
OXO Good Grips Large Sweep Set
What you need to know: OXO is a trusted brand for a reason and the quality of this broom set doesn’t break that trust.
What you’ll love: The handle is extendable and the set comes with a dustpan.
What you should consider: The price is a little high.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)The most flattering skinny jeans you need right now
After a few years of slouchy styles dominating the market, skinny jeans are back in fashion. That’s right — the leg-hugging style popular in the 2000s and 2010s is in vogue again. Whether you’re trying them for the first time in 2025 or cycling back to a trend you loved in the past, there are tons of skinny jeans to choose from. Luckily, we’ve made this guide to help you pick the best pairs for you.
What to know before you buy skinny jeansHow skinny jeans fitSkinny jeans are intended to hug your body from the waist down to the ankle (though more recent styles are a little looser around the ankles than the skinny jeans of 15 years ago). You should be able to sit down without risking exposure of your back end regardless of your chosen rise, and you should be able to move about as you would in yoga pants.
Unfortunately, even the best skinny jeans tend to display one common fit issue: the dreaded “waist gap.” However, it usually accompanies a perfect fit on the hips. The alternative is often a fitted waist with a too-tight fit on the hips.
The solution is quite simple. Select a pair of skinny jeans that comfortably fits the largest part of your body and spend roughly $10 to have a tailor take in the waist. While you are there, have the tailor perfect your inseam as well. That will elevate the fit of your skinny jeans to a new level, and it requires minimal effort and money.
RiseThe best skinny jeans are available in four rises. Since bodies are diverse, pay attention to the measurement of the rise and the intended placement.
Low-rise is 5-8 inches high and should land about 2 inches below your belly button.Mid-rise features an 8-9-inch rise and should sit below your belly button. High-rise is 9-10 inches high and should land right at your waist.Ultra-high-rise is over 11 inches high and should land above your belly button.Regardless of your chosen rise, many manufacturers have cued in to the fact that people enjoy sitting down without being pantsed. Thus, the best skinny jeans will boast a lower front rise and a slightly higher back rise to accommodate the dissonant sitting and standing coverage requirements.
Inseam optionsYour selection is a matter of preference and body type. Generally, skinny jean inseams are available in ankle, regular or tall.
What to look for in quality skinny jeansMaterialThe best skinny jeans offer the same benefits as any quality denim and should not be mistaken for leggings. The durability of denim lies in the mix of premium cotton with synthetics such as spandex/elastane, polyester and rayon. Occasionally, you will find premium skinny jeans with lyocell in them, an ultra-soft semi-synthetic.
Many cheaply-made “skinny jeans” tend to skip the cotton, and since durability correlates with fabric weight and premium fibers, those imposters wear out very fast.
High stitch countThe number of stitches per inch on your pair of skinny jeans dictates the strength of its seams. The best skinny jeans boast eight to 10 stitches per inch, and cheaply made skinny jeans have fewer than eight stitches per inch.
Hand-sanded whiskersInspect the wear patterns, or “whiskers,” created by the manufacturer. A laser likely created them if the marks are uniform and lack depth. However, if they mimic actual wear and tear with depth and irregularities, they were expertly made by hand with sandpaper.
How much you can expect to spend on skinny jeansAffordably made yet quality skinny jeans cost $30-$80. In comparison, many of the best skinny jeans cost $100-$350.
Skinny jeans FAQWhat if you do not have time to take your skinny jeans to a tailor but want a perfect fit?A. Many department stores nowadays have a professional tailor on staff who will take your measurements on the spot and send your new jeans to you when they are done.
How should you wash your skinny jeans?A. Follow the instructions on the jeans but make sure to turn them inside-out before washing them. For best results, hang them to dry.
What are the best skinny jeans to buy?Top skinny jeans 
7 For All Mankind Women’s Ankle Skinny Jeans
What you need to know: These are the best skinny jeans and feel like an ultra-soft pair of leggings.
What you’ll love: These jeans mold effortlessly to your body, and their mix of cotton, lyocell, polyester and spandex makes them incredibly comfortable.
What you should consider: These are not very size-inclusive.
Top skinny jeans for the money 
721 High-Rise Skinny Jeans by Levi’s
What you need to know: These are the best skinny jeans for those who do not want to sacrifice quality for price while on a budget.
What you’ll love: These boast 23 washes in sizes 20-46, and they are sturdy, with a mix of 60 percent cotton. The front rise is 10 inches and the back rise is 14 inches, with an inseam range of 28-32 inches.
What you should consider: While these skinny jeans are very affordable, the prices vary by the wash you select.
Worth checking out 
Ultra Skinny Jeans by Paige Jeans
What you need to know: These are flexible and comfortable jeans that have just the right amount of stretch in all the right places.
What you’ll love: These jeans are available in four washes, sizes 23-32 and boast a rise of 8 inches with an inseam of 29.5 inches. They are buttery soft and so comfortable that you may forget you are wearing jeans.
What you should consider: As with the 7 For All Mankind jeans, Paige could greatly benefit from expanding its range of available sizes.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Horoscopes March 6, 2025: Shaquille O’Neal, refuse to let emotional pressure get to you
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Shaquille O’Neal, 53; Connie Britton, 58; D.L. Hughley, 62; Rob Reiner, 78.
Happy Birthday: Refuse to let emotional pressure get to you. Pour your energy into something concrete that contributes to your journey and enables you to utilize your attributes fully. Expand your interests, friendships and knowledge to ensure you don’t fall behind or lose perspective regarding the possibilities and rewards. Push forward with optimism and a can-do attitude, and you will outperform anyone who wants to compete with you. Your numbers are 8, 19, 23, 25, 34, 43, 47.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Share your thoughts, make promises and follow through. Be the leader you know you are and stand your ground until you get things done. Changing how you use and handle your cash will illustrate what’s to come, helping you navigate your way to your destination of choice. 4 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take the pressure off yourself and delegate what you want done to those around you. Putting others to work will set boundaries and standards that make your life easier. Offering incentives will keep others happy and willing to work for you. A happy and positive mindset will make a difference in the outcome. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep your eyes wide open and concentrate on what’s important to you. Reaching your goal depends on how you handle what’s happening around you. Keeping the momentum flowing will require your undivided attention and making minor adjustments along the way. Think big, but stick to a tight budget and a conservative proposal. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Do what you do best. Commit to a plan, and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the results. Be sure not to overlook fine details that can set you back. Get the appropriate documentation and signatures and an ironclad budget to gain leverage. Focus on your mission and worry less about what others think. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Expand your circle, listen and learn, and you’ll stretch your imagination. Arguing is not productive; verifying information and developing what will help you excel, however, will serve a purpose. Physical and mental improvement is apparent, along with personal gain. Traveling and learning will prepare you for what’s yet to come. 4 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ll be pulled in different directions. Quickly discard what does not apply to what you want to achieve. There is no time to waste. Refuse to let someone drag you into their drama or take advantage of your talents or connections. You can help, but first, set boundaries. 2 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Share your wealth of knowledge with people who have as much to contribute as you do. The outcome will give you the footing you need to turn something you want to do into a winner. Charm is a gift that can help you drum up interest in your pursuits and help you achieve success. 5 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A change will rejuvenate your body, mind and soul. Explore your options, try something new and delve into creative processes that encourage you to use your skills in new and exciting ways. Put your energy to work for you, not someone trying to exploit your talents. Make the most of your time and money. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stop and take a moment to review, redesign and establish what it is you want to pursue. Following someone else’s lead will not help you meet your expectations. Take the initiative and do whatever it takes to do something that satisfies you mentally, physically and emotionally. The choice is yours. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A domestic change may not be fun, but it will help enhance your lifestyle. Stressful situations are best dealt with quickly and appropriately to avoid illness, financial loss or damage to your reputation. Eliminate the possibility by taking care of matters personally and abruptly. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Spend more time building a nest that is conducive to the lifestyle you want to live. A brick-and-mortar approach will stroke your ego and make you proud of your achievements. It’s time to implement changes based on your needs instead of appeasing everyone else. Your happiness is your responsibility. 5 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Explore local places on your to-visit list that will spark your imagination and help you start something new. It’s time to satisfy your curiosity and talk with people who make you think. Consider alternative lifestyles. A change of attitude will take you on an unforgettable journey. Embrace what interests you. 2 stars
Birthday Baby: You are entertaining, talkative and hands-on. You are competitive and trailblazing.
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.
March 5, 2025
Trump reaches 36.6 million television viewers for first address to Congress in second term
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump reached an estimated 36.6 million television viewers for his address to Congress on Tuesday night, the Nielsen company said.
Related ArticlesNational Politics | Scientists raise concerns as the US stops sharing air quality data from embassies worldwide National Politics | Appeals court allows removal of head of watchdog agency as legal battle rages over Trump firing National Politics | Senate confirms former Trump defense attorney Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general National Politics | Trump nominee to lead National Institutes of Health questioned on funding cuts, vaccines National Politics | CDC invites back about 180 fired employees, including some who help fight outbreaksThat beat the 32.2 million people who watched former President Joe Biden’s final State of the Union address last year, but was smaller than any of Trump’s audiences for the annual address during his first term, Nielsen said.
Trump’s first speech to Congress as president, in 2017, was seen by 47.7 million people. Television viewing in general has decreased since then. Nielsen measured viewing on 15 different television networks, including those whose feed was carried on streaming services.
Fox News Channel, the most popular network for Trump fans, dominated viewing, reaching 10.7 million people. ABC had 6.3 million, CBS had 4 million, NBC had 3.9 million, Fox broadcast had 2.7 million and both CNN and MSNBC had 1.9 million, Nielsen said.
Nielsen said 71% of Trump’s television viewers were 55 and older.
Scientists raise concerns as the US stops sharing air quality data from embassies worldwide
By TAIWO ADEBAYO and SIBI ARASU, Associated Press
NEW DELHI (AP) — The U.S. government will stop sharing air quality data gathered from its embassies and consulates, worrying local scientists and experts who say the effort was vital to monitor global air quality and improve public health.
In response to an inquiry from The Associated Press, the State Department said Wednesday that its air quality monitoring program would no longer transmit air pollution data from embassies and consulates to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow app and other platforms, which allowed locals in various countries, along with scientists around the world, to see and analyze air quality in cities around the world.
FILE – People wear face masks to protect themselves from air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand, Feb. 6, 2025, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)The stop in sharing data was “due to funding constraints that have caused the Department to turn off the underlying network” read the statement, which added that embassies and consulates were directed to keep their monitors running and the sharing of data could resume in the future if funded was restored. The fiscal cut, first reported by The New York Times, is one of many under President Donald Trump, whose administration has been deprioritizing environmental and climate initiatives.
The U.S. air quality monitors measured dangerous fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and lead to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and premature death. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution kills around 7 million people each year.
News of the data sharing being cut prompted immediate reaction from scientists who said the data were reliable, allowed for air quality monitoring around the world and helped prompt governments to clean up the air.
‘A big blow’ to global air quality researchBhargav Krishna, an air pollution expert at New Delhi-based Sustainable Futures Collaborative, called the loss of data “a big blow” to air quality research.
“They were part of a handful of sensors in many developing countries and served as a reference for understanding what air quality was like,” Krishna said. “They were also seen to be a well-calibrated and unbiased source of data to cross-check local data if there were concerns about quality.”
FILE – A pedestrian wears a face mask in front of a sign displaying an Air Quality Index in Bangkok, Thailand, Feb. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)“It’s a real shame”, said Alejandro Piracoca Mayorga, a Bogota, Colombia-based freelance air quality consultant. U.S. embassies and consulates in Lima, Peru, Sao Paulo and Bogota have had the public air monitoring. “It was a source of access to air quality information independent of local monitoring networks. They provided another source of information for comparison.”
Khalid Khan, an environmental expert and advocate based in Pakistan, agreed, saying the shutdown of air quality monitoring will “have significant consequences.”
FILE – Cars drive along a highway shot through a glass window during a dust storm amid heavy pollution in Beijing, March 10, 2023. Almost the entire world breathes air that exceeds the World Health Organization’s air-quality limits at least occasionally. (AP Photo/Borg Wong, File)Khan noted that the monitors in Peshawar, Pakistan, one of the most polluted cities in the world, “provided crucial real-time data” which helped policy makers, researchers and the public to take decisions on their health.
“Their removal means a critical gap in environmental monitoring, leaving residents without accurate information on hazardous air conditions,” Khan said. He said vulnerable people in Pakistan and around the world are particularly at risk as they are the least likely to have access to other reliable data.
FILE – A pedestrian wears a face mask amidst a thick layer of smog in New Delhi, India, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File)In Africa, the program provided air quality data for over a dozen countries including Senegal, Nigeria, Chad and Madagascar. Some of those countries depend almost entirely on the U.S. monitoring systems for their air quality data.
The WHO’s air quality database will also be affected by the closing of U.S. program. Many poor countries don’t track air quality because stations are too expensive and complex to maintain, meaning they are entirely reliant on U.S. embassy monitoring data.
Monitors strengthened local effortsIn some places, the U.S. air quality monitors propelled nations to start their own air quality research and raised awareness, Krishna said.
FILE – Traffic moves slow on a road as smog envelops the areas of Lahore, Pakistan, Nov. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary, File)In China, for example, data from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing famously contradicted official government reports, showing worse pollution levels than authorities acknowledged. It led to China improving air quality.
Officials in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, which struggles with smog, said they were unfazed by the removal of the U.S. monitors. Environment Secretary Raja Jahangir said Punjab authorities have their own and plan to purchase 30 more.
Related ArticlesNational Politics | Trump reaches 36.6 million television viewers for first address to Congress in second term National Politics | Appeals court allows removal of head of watchdog agency as legal battle rages over Trump firing National Politics | Senate confirms former Trump defense attorney Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general National Politics | Trump nominee to lead National Institutes of Health questioned on funding cuts, vaccines National Politics | CDC invites back about 180 fired employees, including some who help fight outbreaksShweta Narayan, a campaign lead at the Global Climate and Health Alliance, said the shutdown of monitors in India is a “huge setback” but also a “critical opportunity” for the Indian government to step up and fill the gaps.
“By strengthening its own air quality monitoring infrastructure, ensuring data transparency, and building public trust in air quality reporting, India can set a benchmark for accountability and environmental governance,” Narayan said.
Adebayo reported from Abuja, Nigeria. Babar Dogar in Lahore, Pakistan, Riaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, Aniruddha Ghosal in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Steven Grattan in Bogota, Colombia, contributed to this report.
The Associated Press’ climate and environmental 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.
Appeals court allows removal of head of watchdog agency as legal battle rages over Trump firing
WASHINGTON (AP) — An appeals court has removed the head of a federal watchdog agency in the latest twist in a legal fight over Republican President Donald Trump’s authority to fire the special counsel.
Related ArticlesNational Politics | Trump reaches 36.6 million television viewers for first address to Congress in second term National Politics | Scientists raise concerns as the US stops sharing air quality data from embassies worldwide National Politics | Senate confirms former Trump defense attorney Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general National Politics | Trump nominee to lead National Institutes of Health questioned on funding cuts, vaccines National Politics | CDC invites back about 180 fired employees, including some who help fight outbreaksThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia sided with the Trump administration in allowing the immediate removal of Hampton Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel while the court battle continues. Dellinger is likely to appeal.
A federal judge in Washington ruled Saturday that Dellinger must remain in his job, saying Trump’s bid to oust him was unlawful.
Dellinger sued Trump last month after he was fired even though the law says special counsels can be removed by the president “only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.”
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who was nominated to the bench by Democratic President Barack Obama, quickly reinstated Dellinger in the job while he pursued his case.
SF Giants’ Harrison rocked in second outing of spring training
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Kyle Harrison entered spring training as the on-paper favorite to win the fifth spot in the San Francisco Giants’ starting rotation. He may very well still be the favorite given he pitched the second-most innings for the Giants last season. His start on Wednesday afternoon, though, didn’t help his case.
A day after right-hander Landen Roupp turned in his latest sharp outing, Harrison allowed five earned runs over 1 2/3 innings as the Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 11-5, at Salt River Fields.
“Obviously, the first inning wasn’t great and it doesn’t feel good, but sometimes, you have those type of days in spring training,” said manager Bob Melvin. “Today was one of those days for a lot of pitchers.”
All of the Diamondbacks’ damage against Harrison was in the first inning, a frame where the left-hander allowed five runs and recorded one out. Harrison’s first inning went as follows: single, double, single, sacrifice fly, walk, home run, triple. Harrison was pulled after allowing the three-bagger to Alek Thomas, but toed the rubber again in the second inning because of spring training’s re-entry rules.
Harrison settled down in the second inning, retiring the side and inducing an inning-ending double play after allowing a one-out single. In the third, Harrison allowed a leadoff double to Josh Naylor and struck out Eugneio Suárez before his afternoon was officially over.
“I just really sat there and (thought), ‘You know what? I’m here. I gotta go back out,’” Harrison said. “J.P. (Martinez) said something funny. He was like, ‘Don’t let us sneak back in this game. Once we got two (runs), I was like, ‘Oh crap, it’s a little more competitive now to go out there and throw strikes.’ Just obviously, tough start.”
Along with the results, Harrison’s velocity trended downwards compared to his first appearance of the spring. In his Cactus League debut against the Milwaukee Brewers, Harrison sat in the 91-92 mph range and occasionally touched 93 mph as he threw two scoreless innings. Against the Diamondbacks, Harrison’s average four-seam fastball clocked in at 91.2 mph. Last season, for comparison, Harrison’s average four-seam fastball velocity was 92.5 mph.
Over at Papago Park, Hayden Birdsong, also in contention for the fifth spot in the rotation, allowed two earned runs over 2 1/3 innings with three strikeouts against minor-league competition. Including his Cactus League appearances, Birdsong has allowed three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts.
Among those competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, none of the candidates have enjoyed a better spring than Roupp. Over three starts, Roupp has tossed 8 1/3 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts to one walk. Still, with two-and-a-half weeks left of Cactus League, Melvin isn’t swaying one way or another when it comes to rounding out his rotation.
“We’re still early,” Melvin said. “One outing isn’t going to affect it too much. We’ll see where it goes. (Harrison) has more work to do.”
Worth noting
Left-hander Erik Miller is scheduled to pitch on Friday versus the Cincinnati Reds after missing time due to illness. He has yet to appear in a Cactus League game this spring.Along with Birdsong, threw 3 1/3 innings at Papago Park, allowing one run (zero earned runs) with no walks and six strikeouts.Willy Adames hit his first homer of the spring, a towering 417-foot, 105.3-mph blast that cleared the center-field fences. After going 2-for-4 with a homer and 3 RBIs, Adames is now hitting .412/.474/1.062 in Cactus League play. That doesn’t include the homers he’s hit off Sean Hjelle, Logan Webb (twice) and Justin Verlander in live bullpens and simulated games.House Speaker Johnson’s top aide is arrested on charge of driving under the influence, police say
WASHINGTON (AP) — The chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of driving under the influence after crashing into a police vehicle following President Donald Trump’s address to Congress.
Hayden Haynes was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence and later released.
In a statement, U.S. Capitol Police said Haynes had “backed into a parked vehicle” shortly before midnight. Officers responded to the scene and the driver was arrested, the statement said.
“The Speaker is aware of the encounter that occurred last night involving his Chief of Staff and the Capitol Police,” Johnson spokesperson Taylor Haulsee said. “The Speaker has known and worked closely with Hayden for nearly a decade and trusted him to serve as his Chief of Staff for his entire tenure in Congress. Because of this and Hayden’s esteemed reputation among Members and staff alike, the Speaker has full faith and confidence in Hayden’s ability to lead the Speaker’s office.”
Haynes is a longtime, trusted aide to Johnson — a Louisiana Republican — and has served as the speaker’s chief of staff since Johnson took on the role in 2023.
Haynes didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment and it was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
NBC News first reported details of the arrest.
Rick Steves’s new travel memoir examines wild times on the ‘hippie trail’
Rick Steves is arguably the country’s most beloved travel writer and guide since Mark Twain, and millions know him from his long-running series on traveling through Europe.
But his latest book is a departure from his favorite continent, which he shares with viewers and readers of his popular guidebook series.
Instead of writing about Paris or Berlin, he turns the mirror around and looks at himself as a 23-year-old recent college graduate who’d been making a living as a piano teacher.
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During the pandemic, when Steves was as homebound as everyone else, he dug out a detailed journal he’d kept about his 1978 trip along the so-called “hippie trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu.
“I read it and thought, ‘This is actually a treasure, because you can’t do this trip anymore,’” Steves said in a Rick Steves Travel Talks video on YouTube.
This was a well-known overland journey of 3,000 miles that involved so many unknowns, discomforts and hardships that relatively few hippies actually attempted it.
But Steves had been a hardcore travel junkie since he was young, and he had yearned for years to tackle it. Instead, he spent his summers in Europe every year on a break from his piano lessons. Eventually, though, he said he decided to go for it.
On July 14, 1978, Steves set out from Europe on a 56-day epic adventure through 10 countries, joined by his college friend, Gene Overshaw. Luckily for his readers, he kept an astonishingly detailed diary of every aspect of the trip, perhaps foreshadowing his future career as a travel writer.
Without much else to do, Steves began the process of editing his journal and making it into a publishable memoir, which was published last month.
Upon its release, it soared immediately to No. 3 on the New York Times Nonfiction Best Sellers list, a testament both to his popularity as a travel show host and guide and to the breezy, colorful style of the book, which brings readers along with him as he learns many life lessons that will come to serve him well in the future.
Over the decades, Steves has preached fervently to the public about the value of travel to enlarge our horizons, push our brains to think in new ways and bring the world closer.
As a young man, Steves travels from one adventure to another in the book and the reader can can see the fledgling travel guru emerge, as he learns the joy of talking to everyday people on the street, even if he can’t speak their language.
He also learns to travel on a dime, bedding down nervously in a series of rooms he describes as “filth, bugs, broken windows, cigarette butts stuffed into sooty holes in hotel rooms lit by dangling bulbs.”
After a while, he wrote that the two companions decided to up their hotel budget to $5 a night to get a better night’s sleep.
Steves and his friend travel mostly by local buses, including an epic journey from Istanbul to Tehran that he described as three miserable days in a bus driven by a man he dubbed “the pirate” who hated Steves on sight. Because they were the last people on the bus, they ended up on makeshift chairs over the wheels – a decidedly uncomfortable way to travel thousands of miles.
In those days, there were no formal guidebooks published on how to take the “hippie trail,” and of course no Internet, either.
Travel guru Rick Steves with his 2025 book,” On the Hippie Trail.” (photo courtesy of Rick Steves Europe)The two companions just winged it as best they could, talking to fellow travelers and borrowing their notes whenever they were able. Their only written guide was a map they brought with them.
Since they were using film to shoot photos – before the digital camera era – they limited themselves to 8-10 shots a day so they wouldn’t run out of film before the end of the trip.
After traveling as cheaply as possible through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, they finally arrived in India – the destination that Steves had been particularly anxious to see. He described the bouncy “A-class” bus that spent “12 hours winding through treacherous mountain roads to the hidden land of Kashmir.
“The bus made good time, considering its age and the condition of the terrain we had to cross. It was 200 miles of almost continuously winding switchback narrow roads spiced with dreadful cliffs, huge falling boulders, local natives, lots of trucks and military vehicles, and constant signs reminding drivers with tacky little rhymes and slogans like, “Drive carefully – your family needs you” or “Better late than dead.”
Finally, in Kashmir, the friends rented a houseboat and allowed themselves to relax and rest up. After visiting highlights of India, including the Taj Mahal and going to the holy river Ganges in Varnasi, they traveled on to Nepal, where its capital, Kathmandu, marked the end of the “hippie trail.”
“It was the end of the rainbow for hippie travelers back then,” Steves recalled. Some of them just never left, remaining to subsist on marijuana and whatever they could scrounge.
Steves himself used weed for the first time on the trip, in an environment where everyone else seemed to be doing it, and today he’s a spokesman for legalized marijuana.
Finally, in Kathmandu, Steves and Openshaw collected their belongings, including a mink pelt named “Ringworm” that Steves had purchased along the way and flew back to Europe.
But that wasn’t the end of the story. It was only the beginning. Permanently changed by his experience, Steves left the piano job and opened a small travel business that grew and grew.
In 1980 – two years after the hippie trail – he published his first book, which is still in print today and on its 40th edition, “Europe Through the Back Door.”
Today, he runs a travel emporium – Rick Steves Europe – from his hometown of Edmonds, Washington with 100 employees, selling guidebooks, European tours and accessories like money belts and packing cubes on RickSteves.com. He also offers 100 full-length travel shows on his website from his long-running PBS series. He also has a radio show and a syndicated travel column.
Every Monday night, Steves holds a live, online free travel show full of tips with special guests.
P.S. For those of you aware of Steves’ recent cancer diagnosis, he has posted on his Facebook page that his treatment is over and, as of this writing, he’s considered cancer-free.
Details: “On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer” by Rick StevesAvalon Travel, Hatchette Book Group, 2025Price: $30Related ArticlesBooks | Review: Jane Austen fans, get ready to be turned on to the books she loved Books | Making a classic new again: How this publisher refreshed Jane Austen for her 250th birthday Books | Local books: Where comedy and tragedy collaborate to write a song Books | Five books we can’t wait to read in March Books | Books: Chris Hayes says ‘The Sirens’ Call’ explores the battle to reclaim your attention
