Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 201
March 4, 2025
Horoscopes Mar. 4, 2025: Chaz Bono, put your best foot forward
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Chaz Bono, 56; Patricia Heaton, 67; Mykelti Williamson, 68; Catherine O’Hara, 71.Happy Birthday: Put your best foot forward and strive to meet your goals. Network, adjust your attributes to suit what’s trending, and develop a set of rules, boundaries and assets that will attract attention and help you grow. Position yourself for success, and you’ll discover what you can accomplish. A positive change in attitude and an aspiration to connect with people who can utilize your strengths will help you advance. Your numbers are 4, 17, 21, 25, 33, 38, 42.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Make today about caring and sharing. Lift others up, and they will reciprocate. Choose peace and love over anger and discord. Look for alternatives that satisfy your soul and favor loved ones. Explore places of interest, and what you discover will help you formulate new prospects. Take care of physical tasks. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Envision what you want, develop a plan and execute your intentions. Turn your thoughts into something concrete and put a dent in your to-do list. You are overdue for a change in attitude, surroundings and lifestyle. Stop thinking about what you want, and begin your journey. 3 starsGEMINI (May 21-June 20): Tone down your thoughts and plans to fit your budget and abilities. Gauge your time and effort carefully. Your success depends on accuracy and your ability to deliver. A succinct description of what you can offer will inhibit the chance of those trying to take advantage of you to succeed. 3 starsCANCER (June 21-July 22): Haste makes waste. Slow down, nurture what’s important to you and only change what’s necessary. Channel your energy and passion into something meaningful, and something good will transpire. Work quietly behind the scenes on something that will bring joy to someone you love. Hard work will translate to financial benefits. 4 starsLEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Resolve issues civilly, and avoid making matters worse. Approach what you want with a positive attitude, willingness to compromise and respect for what others require in return. Power plays work better when you offer dignity instead of restrictions. If you want to be an honorable leader, act like one. 2 starsVIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A change of scenery will help you put your life in perspective. Distance yourself from uncertainty, aggravation and temptation; you’ll recognize the best path forward. Discipline and moderation will be your ticket to success. Revise your plans to suit your needs and budget, and encourage worthwhile prospects. 5 starsLIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Live, learn, love and explore what life offers. Socializing, sharing information and meeting new people will lead to personal growth, positive change and opportunities. Let your charm be your calling card, and your intelligence and holding power will attract someone with plenty of benefits. Romance is in the stars. 3 starsSCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put your best foot forward, and you’ll dazzle everyone with your insight, talent and integrity. Change is within reach if you follow your passion. Get the ball rolling by sharing your innovative ideas and plans. The best is yet to come if you stick to the rules and say no to temptation. 3 starsSAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Think before you act. Take everyone and everything into account before you make a move. Rely on your instincts and trust in yourself. Verify information, and take a minimalist approach to life, love and spending. It’s better to save than to spend on things you don’t need or cannot afford. 3 starsCAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Make changes to your space that are conducive to saving money. Updating your home to run more efficiently, downsizing to make your life easier and exploring other places and possibilities will pay off. Put your energy into getting ahead or achieving a goal that offers peace of mind. 5 starsAQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Spend more time researching, reading and learning about something you want to pursue. Choose a healthy lifestyle that will protect you from injury or illness. Declutter your living space to make room for something you can enjoy with friends and family. A deep conversation will bring you closer to someone you love. 2 starsPISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Simplify your life. If someone asks for too much, say no; if offered too little, ask for more. Upfront communication is your best path forward. A little charm and honesty will help build a solid reputation and help you surround yourself with reliable sources. It’s up to you to dictate what’s next. 4 starsBirthday Baby: You are colorful, outgoing and helpful. You are persuasive and insightful.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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The ultimate golf club travel cases for any golfer
When you plan to play golf on a trip, you could rent clubs at the course. But if you want the best chance to play a round with an impressive score, you’ll want to bring your own clubs.
The safest and smartest way to carry your golf clubs on your trip is with a golf club travel case. These cases often are big enough to fit your entire bag and club set, and they may be soft-sided or hard-sided.
To learn more about golf club travel cases and bring your game wherever you go, continue reading our buying guide. Our favorite case is the CaddyDaddy’s Golf Constrictor 2 Travel Cover with 6pk Golf Bag Cooler, which includes lockable zippers and straps for maximum security.
Considerations when choosing golf club travel casesWhen traveling with your golf clubs, you’ll want to think about the method of travel before deciding whether you need a golf club travel case and what type you need.
Soft-sided casesA soft-sided case is usually a good choice if you’re traveling by car, train, or sea. These cases have thick cloth exteriors, so they will flex as you carry them. They have a little bit of padding on the interior, but their level of protection lags behind hard-sided cases. However, they are generally less expensive and are almost always less bulky.
Hard-sided casesA hard sided case consists of impact-resistant ABS. It will not compress when placed under the weight of other items, protecting the gear inside of it. These cases often have quite a bit of padding as well.
We always recommend a hard-sided case for your golf bag when traveling by air. Baggage handlers will not have the time to take special care with your golf bag when loading it on the airplane.
If you’ll be traveling by car with a lot of other people with a trunk full of luggage, a hard-sided case is a smart choice to protect the clubs from being crushed.
Golf club travel case featuresGolf club travel cases may have a few features to better protect your clubs and make carrying the case easier.
Wheels: Some cases have two or four wheels. A wheeled case is easier to move through an airport, especially if you’re carrying a lot of other luggage.Padding: The interior of either a soft- or hard-sided case should have padding to protect your golf gear throughout the journey. Thicker padding delivers better protection, but it also adds weight.Secure latches: Some travel cases have a zipper to securely close the case — most commonly on soft-sided cases. The majority of hard-sided golf travel cases use latches that securely keep the case closed, even if it’s treated roughly during travel. Some units have locks with keys too.Price of a golf club travel caseSoft-sided cases often cost $100 or less, but you should expect to pay at least $200 for a hard-sided case that will accommodate your entire bag. In general, more expensive cases have larger capacities and offer more protection.
Golf club travel case FAQQ. Do golf club travel cases come with a lock?A. Some hard-sided cases do. However, you need to be certain the lock is TSA-approved for air travel. Otherwise, it does you no good, and you’ll have to purchase one separately anyway.
Q. Will my clubs be completely safe inside a travel case?A. There are no guarantees, of course. But your clubs have a good chance of remaining undamaged with a sturdy case. We recommend insuring them, though.
Best golf club travel casesTop golf club travel case 
CaddyDaddy’s Golf Constrictor 2 Travel Cover with 6pk Golf Bag Cooler
What you need to know: This extremely sturdy travel case will keep your clubs secure throughout the entire trip and comes with a golf bag cooler.
What you’ll love: It’s large enough to work with a huge golf bag. The case weighs only 8 pounds, so it doesn’t add much bulk to your travel load.
What you should consider: It has wheels, but they’re not as sturdy as they should be.
Top golf club travel case for the money 
IZZO Golf’s Padded Travel Cover
What you need to know: This value-priced golf bag travel case has more interior padding than others in this price range.
What you’ll love: It will collapse down when you need to store it. It can accommodate even a large golf bag.
What you should consider: It doesn’t have wheels, so you’ll have to carry it over your shoulder through the airport.
Worth checking out 
Samsonite’s Hard-Sided Golf Travel Cover
What you need to know: This extremely durable case is made by a trusted brand name in travel gear.
What you’ll love: The inside of the case has plenty of padding. The case includes four wheels that can swivel, making it easy to maneuver this case through an airport.
What you should consider: It’s expensive. It’s also so big that it may not fit in the trunk of a sedan.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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Choosing a wedding veil is an important decision. The wedding veil enhances the wedding dress, taking it to the next level. There are so many choices when it comes to veils, from materials to length, it can be difficult to choose. Whether you’re looking for something simple or elaborate, this list will help you compare.
What to know before you buy a wedding veilAttachmentIt is important to consider how the veil will be attached to your head. Most veils come with a comb that can be placed in the hair and secured with additional bobby pins if necessary. Alternatively, some veils use headbands or barrettes to affix the veil in the hair.
FabricVeils are made from a variety of different fabrics including tulle, lace, silk, chiffon, and organza. Some of these fabrics are opaque, while others are transparent. It is also common to see fabric with glitter, sparkles, or some other embellishments like pearls or beads.
Types of wedding veilsBirdcage veil: Birdcage veils are very short and cover only a portion of the face, like a small cage. They are generally made of netting or tulle and attached to a comb or a decorative barrette. This style was very popular in the 1940s and 1950s and lends itself well to informal or nontraditional weddings.
Bandeau veil: Bandeau veils, also known as Venetian veils, are very similar to birdcage veils. Instead of being positioned on top of the head, they are affixed behind both ears and run across the face, not necessarily over any portion of the hair. 
The fullness of the veil is dependent on the number of tiers. A single-tier is just one layer of fabric, like in most birdcage and mantilla veils. Two-tier wedding veils include a blusher, which is worn in front of the face. If you want a very fluffy veil, consider one with two to three layers.
LengthThere are several common lengths of veils including shoulder, elbow, waist, hip, fingertip, and floor-length. Chapel-length refers to veils between 90 and 108 inches. The longest veils are called cathedral-length and measure between 108 and 120 inches long.
How much you can expect to spend on a wedding veilThe price of a wedding veil depends heavily on where you purchase it. An online or big-box retailer will often offer lower prices, whereas wedding dress stores or boutiques will offer more options but at a higher cost. You can expect to spend as low as $30, or as much as $600 for an embroidered cathedral veil. The factors that typically increase the cost are the length, design and fabric.
Wedding veil FAQWhat is a blusher and do I need one?A. A blusher refers to the portion of the veil that covers your face. Some styles of veils include a blusher, but if you prefer not to have one, you can simply fold it over and treat it as another tier.
What color veil should I choose?A. One thing that you’ll learn when wedding dress shopping is the number of names for shades of white. Most dresses are not truly white, but a few shades darker in colors like eggshell, diamond white, or natural. You can also request a swatch of the fabric to compare to your dress. Remember that, due to the differences in fabric, you most likely won’t get an exact match; just try to aim for complementary colors.
What are the best wedding veils to buy?Top wedding veil 
EllieHouse Two-Tier Lace Bridal Veil With Comb
What you need to know: This two-tier lace bridal veil has intricate lace detailing.
What you’ll love: It’s a simple yet sophisticated fingertip-length veil with options in ivory and white. Additional optional embellishments include sequins, pearls, and crystals. This veil is a great base for adding extra DIY details.
What you should consider: Some users noticed the comb was attached incorrectly.
Top wedding veil for the money 
Nanchor Bridal Wedding Veil with Rhinestone Tulle
What you need to know: Simple, 15-inch veil with rhinestone detailing available in white and off-white.
What you’ll love: This versatile and sparkly veil is great for a courthouse or small weddings, bachelorette parties, First Communion, or even for a costume. The veil includes an attached comb to allow for easy positioning.
What you should consider: Some reviewers mentioned that the glue on the comb shows.
Worth checking out 
BEAUTELICATE Bridal Wedding Veil
What you need to know: This pretty, elegant veil is ideal if you want something simple without embellishments.
What you’ll love: It’s lovely and simple, so it goes well with elaborate gowns. It’s cathedral-length and made of flowing tulle for an ethereal effect. It comes in white, off-white and ivory and comes with a comb.
What you should consider: It’s heavy and doesn’t have a blusher.
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 best toilet bowl cleaners to refresh your bathroom
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a chore less appealing than cleaning the toilet bowl, but it’s essential for eliminating bacteria and protecting your toilet from accumulating dirt and mineral stains that could damage it in the long run.
Scrubbing the toilet bowl on your hands and knees is no longer the only option, as there are a host of products that have made the process much easier. With the right products, it’s a chore you won’t need to perform as often. Clorox Ultra Clean Toilet Tablets Bleach keeps your toilet bowl clean and bacteria-free for up to three months.
This article was reviewed and approved by Ketia Daniel, the BestReviews Cleaning Expert.
What to know before you buy a toilet bowl cleanerTypes of toilet bowl cleanersLiquid: This is the most common form of toilet bowl cleaner that you spray under the rim and in the area that needs to be cleaned before scrubbing the area with a toilet brush.Foam: Foam comes in packets that you empty directly into the bowl. It cleans fast and requires little to no scrubbing.Gel: This is applied inside the bowl itself and helps to deodorize and clean the bowl with every flush.Tablet: Tablets are placed directly into the bowl or tank and clean the toilet with every flush.Clip-on: These hang from the rim of the toilet to clean the bowl after every flush.SizeTraditional liquid toilet bowl cleaners usually come in 24-ounce bottles. Gels and tablets come in packages of various sizes, while clip-on toilet bowl cleaners are often available in packs of two.
Keep in mind that the life span of some automatic toilet bowl cleaners is limited, so they need to be replaced more often. If you find a brand you like, consider purchasing in bulk.
What to look for in a quality toilet bowl cleanerEco-friendlyCleansers and cleaners can contain harsh chemicals that are not only dangerous but are hazardous to the environment. Eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaners are natural products that don’t contain the same chemicals.
ScentsThe function of toilet bowl cleaners is not only to remove bacteria and stains but also to mask the odor. This is done through a variety of scents that absorb foul odors and keep your bowl smelling fresh.
SafetyIf used and stored properly, toilet bowl cleaners are safe, but keep them away from pets and children.
If you’re using automatic toilet bowl cleaner tablets, dump the tablets directly into the tank or use gloves when touching them to prevent them from coming in contact with your skin. If this happens, wash your hands immediately.
How much you can expect to spend on a toilet bowl cleanerToilet bowl cleaner can run you $5-$30, depending mainly on how many items are included in the packaging and the type of towel bowl cleaner you choose. All-natural products tend to be 20%-40% more expensive than nonorganic products.
Toilet bowl cleaner FAQAre there any dangers when using toilet bowl cleaner?A. Some toilet cleaners contain hydrochloric acid, which can be toxic if ingested and burn the skin if it comes in direct contact for an extended period of time. It’s imperative that toilet bowl cleaner is stored in a safe place, where animals and children cannot reach it. If any person or animal accidentally swallows the cleaner, you should immediately contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
How often should I clean my toilet?A. Since a toilet is a magnet for germs, bacteria, and E.coli, it’s recommended that you clean your toilet once a week. If you have a large family or the toilet is a communal area, it might be necessary to clean more frequently.
What are the best toilet bowl cleaners to buy?Top toilet bowl cleaner 
Clorox Ultra Clean Toilet Tablets Bleach
What you need to know: Keep your toilet clean and 99.9% bacteria-free with these easy flushable tablets.
What you’ll love: These flushable toilet cleaning tablets deodorize and continuously clean your toilet for up to three months with every flush. This cleaning tablet also assists in the prevention of stains from hard water and minerals.
What you should consider: Some customers have noted a lingering chemical smell when the tablet is first used.
Top toilet bowl cleaner for the money 
Iron Out Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablets
What you need to know: This is a budget-friendly option to clean your toilet and repel stains from forming for up to 45 days.
What you’ll love: Designed to repel rust and hard water stains, this cleaner has been third-party lab tested to ensure safety for both parts of the toilet and septic system. Just drop this convenient and easy-to-use tablet into the toilet tank and it will repel rust every time you flush.
What you should consider: For very deep and long-term rust stains, it might take consistent use of the product to remove them in their entirety.
Worth checking out 
Better Life Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
What you need to know: Made with plant-based cleaning ingredients, this toilet bowl cleaner offers a natural way to clean your toilet and leave it smelling great.
What you’ll love: You’ll love how this strong, plant-based cleaning gel is made with no harsh chemicals or scents. It’s loaded with natural cleaning agents, such as corn and coconut, while tea tree and peppermint oils will leave your bathroom smelling fresh. This natural toilet bowl cleaner is safe for your toilet and septic system while doing serious damage to rust and stains.
What you should consider: Some customers have mentioned that although this cleaner is brushless, it’s helpful to use a brush for heavy-duty stains.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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Warriors pull away from Hornets in front end of back-to-back
In a physical game they never trailed, the Warriors pulled away from the Hornets with a decisive fourth quarter.
Brandin Podziemski bounced back from his worst game in weeks to log 19 points and 10 rebounds and Steph Curry returned to his hometown with 21 points and 10 dimes. The Warriors (33-28) never trailed Charlotte in a 119-101 victory on the first end of a back-to-back.
“We didn’t have much rhythm to the game for most of the night and finally broke through. It wasn’t pretty, but we did what we had to do,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the game.
Podziemski briefly exited with a leg injury before returning and Gary Payton II got knocked out of the contest after colliding heads with LaMelo Ball. Draymond Green (team-best +20) picked up a flagrant and technical foul on the same play as well.
For the first time this season, the Warriors had three players record double-doubles — Curry, Podziemski and Green. Buddy Hield also chipped in a team-high 22 points off the bench.
“Took control of the game when we needed to take control of the game,” said Green, who finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and two steals in 28 minutes.
Jimmy Butler returned after missing the 76ers game with back spasms, but he uncharacteristically struggled to prop up Golden State’s bench unit. Butler took only seven shots in the game, preferring to create for others.
When Curry exited in the first quarter, the Warriors led 24-12. Then Tidjane Salaun hit three 3-pointers against Butler and the bench, part of a 14-4 that cut the lead to two.
That the game was ever so close wasn’t a good sign for Golden State. They destroyed the Hornets, 128-92, a week ago and Charlotte has the second-worst record in the league. There were moments in the first quarter where the Hornets were hardly running back on defense.
The Warriors still had plenty of options to separate. The offense opened up with Curry on the floor, attracting Charlotte’s defense like a magnet.
Curry found Quinten Post for an above-the-break 3 in a pick-and-pop as two defenders swarmed to him. Then Post made an extra pass to Hield for a 3 before Curry drove and kicked to him again for a second triple.
Curry dished nine assists in the first half alone, sharing the ball as Charlotte swarmed to him. The Warriors assisted on 19 of their 21 made field goals, taking a 58-49 lead into halftime. The Warriors not named Steph Curry shot 6-for-23 (26%) from deep.
Four minutes into the second half, Podziemski got up gimpy after sinking a floater in the lane. He exited and headed straight to the training room, grimacing and favoring his right leg.
Podziemski had done a solid job defensively on LaMelo Ball, continuing the trend of being up to the task as Golden State’s top point-of-attack defender.
The Warriors needed to play Gary Payton II more to slow down Ball without Podziemski, but he quickly got hit in the head while taking a charge on Ball.
After the officials missed a clear traveling call on Ball, Steve Kerr picked up a technical foul. At that point, Hield was trying to chase him around as the Warriors clung to a six-point lead. Then Green got assessed a flagrant foul for striking Salaun in the neck on a box-out plus a technical.
Related ArticlesGolden State Warriors | Warriors entering a special back-to-back set for Steph Curry Golden State Warriors | Joe Lacob isn't here to 'screw around', will do whatever it takes to keep Warriors relevant Golden State Warriors | Steph Curry declares rare dunk against 76ers will be his last Golden State Warriors | Grimes pours in career-high 44 to out-duel Curry in Warriors loss Golden State Warriors | Jimmy Butler scratched ahead of Warriors-76ers gameBall capped a seven-point possession with a one-legged 3. It would have been an eight-point trip if Ball made his technical free throw.
Podziemski returned to the game late in the third and Hield nailed back-to-back 3s to push the Warriors’ lead back to double digits. Butler added a 3 before Ball sank a step-back buzzer-beater over Hield and Podziemski.
The start of the fourth quarter was danger time for the Warriors, with Curry on the bench. Against the Sixers, Golden State chased the win by inserting him just two minutes into the final frame.
Hield and Podziemski bought Curry more rest time with a slew of 3s. After Podziemski’s third 3 of the quarter, Curry stood up on the bench and waved a hand towel in celebration.
When Curry returned for the stretch run, the Warriors led by 16. They didn’t blow Charlotte out enough for him to take the fourth quarter off, but they weren’t exactly high-leverage minutes, either. He should still be fresh for Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden.
Pentagon changes name of Georgia Army base back to Fort Benning, dumping Fort Moore
By LOLITA C. BALDOR
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has, reversed the renaming of a U.S. military base, saying that Fort Moore in Georgia should revert back to being called Fort Benning.
Related ArticlesNational Politics | Hegseth orders suspension of Pentagon’s offensive cyberoperations against Russia National Politics | Prices rose along border ahead of Trump’s tariffs — now disruption looms National Politics | Giant chipmaker TSMC to spend $100B to expand chip manufacturing in US, Trump announces National Politics | How Trump’s history with Russia and Ukraine set the stage for a blowup with Zelenskyy National Politics | Trump says 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports will start Tuesday, with ‘no room’ for delayThe move reflects an ongoing effort by the Pentagon to overturn the Biden administration’s 2023 decision to remove names that honored Confederate leaders, including for nine Army bases. But the drive to revert to the former names means finding service members with the same name as the Confederate leaders.
Previously, Fort Benning was named for Brig. Gen. Henry L. Benning, a Confederate officer during the American Civil War who stridently opposed the abolition of slavery.
Now, Hegseth said, Fort Benning will be named in honor of Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross who served in France during World War I. According to the Pentagon, Benning was honored for heroic actions in October 1918, when he led troops through heavy fire after his platoon leader was killed by the enemy.
The renaming of bases is resulting in decisions that insult the military heroes whose names were selected in the 2023 process, including Lt. Gen. Harold Gregory Moore Jr. and his wife, Julia.
FILE – The children of Lt. Gen. Hal and Julia Moore join the command team at what’s now Fort Moore during the unveiling the new sign, May 11, 2023, in Fort Moore, Ga. (Mike Haskey/Ledger-Enquirer via AP, File)Moore is a revered military leader who earned the Distinguished Service Cross for valor and fought in the Battle of Ia Drang in the Vietnam War. And Julia Moore was key to the creation of teams that do in-person notifications of military casualties.
Hegseth last month signed an order restoring the name of a North Carolina base back to Fort Bragg, and warned that more changes were coming.
The North Carolina base had been renamed Fort Liberty in 2023. Its original namesake, Gen. Braxton Bragg, was a Confederate general from Warrenton, North Carolina, who was known for owning slaves and losing key Civil War battles, contributing to the Confederacy’s downfall.
Now, Bragg is named to honor Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, who the Army said was a World War II hero who earned a Silver Star and Purple Heart for exceptional courage during the Battle of the Bulge.
It’s not clear how much the renaming will cost, but the expense comes as the Trump administration is trying to find savings through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
The Naming Commission in its August 2022 report estimated it would cost $4.9 million to rename Fort Benning as Fort Moore, but said there could be additional costs. It put the cost to rename Bragg at around $8 million. Updated costs were not available.
Hegseth said the original Bragg name is a legacy for troops who lived and served there and that it was a shame to change it. And he said he deliberately referred to Bragg and Fort Benning by those names as he entered the Pentagon on his first day in office.
“There’s a reason I said Bragg and Benning when I walked into the Pentagon on day one. But it’s not just Bragg and Benning,” he said. “There are a lot of other service members that have connections. And we’re going to do our best to restore it.”
The lower ranks of the new namesakes indicate the exhaustive research being done by Army and defense leaders to find service members with the same names who have also earned some type of award for their military action and bravery.
Oakland man charged with pocketing $50,000 check from Steph and Ayesha Curry meant for local boxing club
OAKLAND — Federal prosecutors claim a 38-year-old man allegedly pocketed a $50,000 check that Steph and Ayesha Curry wrote for an East Oakland boxing club, all to get Amazon items, a vacation rental property and an SUV.
U.S. attorneys have charged Howard Solomon, of Oakland, with several counts of mail fraud and tax evasion in an alleged scheme to siphon money from the East Oakland Boxing Association, a nonprofit he led for several years, according to a news release announcing the charges.
If convicted, Solomon could face up to 20 years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.
Prosecutors say Solomon was working as the club’s executive director in 2017 and, at some point, began moving money from the organization into his own bank accounts. Among the checks he allegedly stole was a $50,000 donation that the Currys made in 2019 on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, as part of the program’s “Ellen’s Greatest Night of Giveaways” segment, according to the U.S Attorney’s Office.
Solomon allegedly used the money from the boxing club for a host of personal expenses, including a vacation rental property, a Ford Explorer and items from Amazon, the attorney’s office said.
Solomon also is accused of filing false tax returns from 2018 to 2021 — the year he left the nonprofit — to hide the embezzled money, the agency said.
The charges were filed Feb. 26.
Hegseth orders suspension of Pentagon’s offensive cyberoperations against Russia
By LOLITA C. BALDOR and DAVID KLEPPER
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has paused offensive cyberoperations against Russia by U.S. Cyber Command, rolling back some efforts to contend with a key adversary even as national security experts call for the U.S. to expand those capabilities.
Related ArticlesNational Politics | National Politics | Prices rose along border ahead of Trump’s tariffs — now disruption looms National Politics | Giant chipmaker TSMC to spend $100B to expand chip manufacturing in US, Trump announces National Politics | How Trump’s history with Russia and Ukraine set the stage for a blowup with Zelenskyy National Politics | Trump says 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports will start Tuesday, with ‘no room’ for delayA U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive operations, on Monday confirmed the pause.
Hegseth’s decision does not affect cyberoperations conducted by other agencies, including the CIA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. But the Trump administration also has rolled back other efforts at the FBI and other agencies related to countering digital and cyber threats.
The Pentagon decision, which was first reported by The Record, comes as many national security and cybersecurity experts have urged greater investments in cyber defense and offense, particularly as China and Russia have sought to interfere with the nation’s economy, elections and security.
Republican lawmakers and national security experts have all called for a greater offensive posture. During his Senate confirmation hearing this year, CIA Director John Ratcliffe said America’s rivals have shown that they believe cyberespionage — retrieving sensitive information and disrupting American business and infrastructure — to be an essential weapon of the modern arsenal.
“I want us to have all of the tools necessary to go on offense against our adversaries in the cyber community,” Ratcliffe said.
Cyber Command oversees and coordinates the Pentagon’s cybersecurity work and is known as America’s first line of defense in cyberspace. It also plans offensive cyberoperations for potential use against adversaries.
Hegseth’s directive arrived before Friday’s dustup between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. It wasn’t clear if the pause was tied to any negotiating tactic by the Trump administration to push Moscow into a peace deal with Ukraine.
Trump has vowed to end the war that began when Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago, and on Monday he slammed Zelenskyy for suggesting the end to the conflict was “far away.”
The White House did not immediately respond to questions about Hegseth’s order.
Cyber warfare is cheaper than traditional military force, can be carried out covertly and doesn’t carry the same risk of escalation or retaliation, making it an increasingly popular tool for nations that want to contend with the U.S. but lack the traditional economic or military might, according to Snehal Antani, CEO of Horizon3.ai, a San Francisco-based cybersecurity firm founded by former national security officers.
Cyberespionage can allow adversaries to steal competitive secrets from American companies, obtain sensitive intelligence or disrupt supply chains or the systems that manage dams, water plants, traffic systems, private companies, governments and hospitals.
The internet has created new battlefields, too, as nations like Russia and China use disinformation and propaganda to undermine their opponents.
Artificial intelligence now makes it easier and cheaper than ever for anyone — be it a foreign nation like Russia, China or North Korea or criminal networks — to step up their cybergame at scale, Antani said. Fixing code, translating disinformation or identifying network vulnerabilities once required a human — now AI can do much of it faster.
“We are entering this era of cyber-enabled economic warfare that is at the nation-state level,” Antani said. “We’re in this really challenging era where offense is significantly better than defense, and it’s going to take a while for defense to catch up.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi also has disbanded an FBI task force focused on foreign influence campaigns, like those Russia used to target U.S. elections in the past. And more than a dozen people who worked on election security at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency were put on leave.
These actions are leaving the U.S. vulnerable despite years of evidence that Russia is committed to continuing and expanding its cyber efforts, according to Liana Keesing, campaigns manager for technology reform at Issue One, a nonprofit that has studied technology’s impact on democracy.
“Instead of confronting this threat, the Trump administration has actively taken steps to make it easier for the Kremlin to interfere in our electoral processes,” Keesing said.
PCAL girls’ basketball all-league teams
Pacific Coast Athletic League girls’ all-league basketball teams
Gabilan Division
Most Valuable Player: Alice Uchida, Salinas
First team
Alice Uchida, Salinas
Jennifer Rivera, Salinas
Isabella Alvarez, Watsonville
Madelyn Davis, Hollister
Nayeli Gil-Silva, Alisal
Jeanine Williams, Monterey
Second team
Alissa Escutia, Salinas
Stephanie Martinez, Watsonville
Emery Sparling, Hollister
Mia Rivera, Alisal
Delylah Ocampo, Soledad
Amani Hobson, Alvarez
Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team
Andrea Nava, Salinas
Hailey Brooks, Watsonville
Diana Martinez-Ruiz, Hollister
Alyah Quintero, Alisal
Jessica Morales, Soledad
Aundrea Boykin, Monterey
Myrium Valdez, Alvarez
Elgie Bellizio Team Sportsmanship Award: Alisal
Mission Division
Most Valuable Player: Savannah Hardy, Pacific Grove
Offensive Player of the Year: Kobie Crutcher, Stevenson
First team
Savanna Radowicz, Carmel
Sophia Cortes, Monte Vista
Ashley Torres, North County
Savannah Hardy, Pacific Grove
Peyton Sanchez, Stevenson
Kobie Crutcher, Stevenson
Second team
Xochitl Ramirez Naranjo, North County
Corina Randolph, North Salinas
Lili Gaona, Pacific Grove
Jasmine Booker, Pacific Grove
Brooke Mullins, Rancho San Juan
Jessie Chen, Stevenson
Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team
Chloe LeMaster, Carmel
Amya Tellez, Monte Vista Christian
Peyton Phillips, North County
Ashanti Williams, North Salinas
Mackenzie Keller, Pacific Grove
Perla Garcia-Pio, Rancho San Juan
Grace Ishii, Stevenson
Elgie Bellizio Team Sportsmanship Award: Carmel
Cypress Division
Co-Most Valuable Player: Liliana Whitmeyer St. Francis
Co-Most Valuable Player: Maya Calfee, St. Francis
First team
Liliana Whitmeyer, St. Francis
Maya Calfee, St. Francis
Kat Buckley, Pacific Collegiate
Francesca Rossi, Palma
Amity Hearne, King City
Aleena Salas, Greenfield
Second team
Jocelyn Romero, King City
Lesley Santiago, Greenfield
Addie Payne, Pacific Collegiate
Maeve Flynn, St. Francis
Natalia Aguon, Palma
Olivia Contreras, Pajaro Valley
Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team
Monique Ayala, Pajaro Valley
Julia Guth, Pacific Collegiate
Lydia Ostos, Santa Catalina
Mikayla Mclane, King City
Jocylyn Mendoza, Greenfield
Sophia Villanueva, Seaside
Abigail Bedolla, St. Francis
Miyah Nickerson, Palma
Elgie Bellizio Team Sportsmanship Award: Santa Catalina
Santa Lucia Division
Co-Most Valuable Player: Shekinah Williams, Marina
Co-Most Valuable Player: Angelina Navarro, Gonzales
Offensive Player of the Year: Asya Wilson, York
First team
Shekinah Williams, Marina
Angelina Navarro, Gonzales
Asya Wilson, York
Evelyn Perea, Gonzales
Kailee Barlics, Oakwood
Mia Martin, Marina
Second team
Bianca Borja, Marina
Ailette Reyes, Gonzales
Jackie Camacho, Gonzales
Gianna Garcia, Oakwood
Piper Shankle, Anzar
Ava Kapadia, Anzar
Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team
Jasyra Braxton, Marina
Priscilla Hurtado, Gonzales
Zoe Valenzuela, Anzar
Julia Rao, York
Gabby Zelenyak, Oakwood
Brenda Valdivia, Ceiba
Valeria Enciso Rosas, Notre Dame
Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship Award: York
February 28, 2025
At meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy will seek security assurances against future Russian aggression
By JUSTIN SPIKE and AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine’s leader will meet with President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday at a pivotal moment for his country, one that hinges on whether he can persuade Trump to provide some form of U.S. backing for Ukraine’s security against any future Russian aggression.
During his trip to Washington, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s delegation is expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the U.S. aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two countries together for years to come.
Though the deal, which is seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references the importance of Ukraine’s security, it leaves that to a separate agreement to be discussed between the two leaders — talks that are likely to commence Friday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy listens during a news conference at a security summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)As Ukrainian forces hold out against slow but steady advances by Russia’s larger and better-equipped army, leaders in Kyiv have pushed to ensure a potential U.S.-brokered peace plan would include guarantees for the country’s future security.
Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily negotiated peace — especially one that makes too many concessions to Russian demands — would allow Moscow to rearm and consolidate its forces for a future invasion after current hostilities cease.
According to the preliminary economic agreement, seen by The Associated Press, the U.S. and Ukraine will establish a co-owned, jointly managed investment fund to which Ukraine will contribute 50% of future revenues from natural resources, including minerals, hydrocarbons and other extractable materials.
A more detailed agreement on establishing the fund will be drawn up once the preliminary one is signed.
Trump, a Republican, has framed the emerging deal as a chance for Kyiv to compensate the U.S. for wartime aid sent under his predecessor, President Joe Biden, a Democrat.
But Zelenskyy has remained firm that specific assurances for Ukraine’s security must accompany any agreement giving U.S. access to Ukraine’s resources. On Wednesday, he said the agreement “may be part of future security guarantees, but I want to understand the broader vision. What awaits Ukraine?”
Trump remains noncommittal about any American security guarantees.
“I’m not going to make security guarantees … very much,” Trump told reporters this week. “We’re going to have Europe do that.”
If a truce can be reached, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to send troops for a potential peacekeeping mission to Ukraine to ensure that fighting between Ukraine and Russia doesn’t flare up again. Both leaders traveled to Washington this week before the Zelenskyy visit to discuss with Trump the potential peacekeeping mission and other concerns about the war.
White House officials are skeptical that Britain and France can assemble enough troops from across Europe, at least at this moment, to deploy a credible peacekeeping mission to Kyiv.
It will likely take a “consensual peace settlement” between Russia and Ukraine before many nations would be willing to provide such forces, according to a senior Trump administration official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
Zelenskyy and European officials have no illusions about U.S. troops taking part in such a mission. But Starmer and others are trying to make the case that the plan can only work with a U.S. backstop for European forces on the ground — through U.S. aerial intelligence, surveillance and support, as well as rapid-response cover in case the truce is breached.
“You’ve created a moment of tremendous opportunity to reach a historic peace deal — a deal that I think would be celebrated in Ukraine and around the world,” Starmer told Trump. “That is the prize. But we have to get it right.”
Zelenskyy has been vague on exactly what kinds of security guarantees would be suitable for his country, and while he continues to advocate for Ukraine’s eventual membership in NATO, he has also suggested a similar security arrangement would suffice.
But Trump on Wednesday said Ukraine “could forget about” joining the Western military alliance.
Still, Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump, their first since the U.S. leader’s inauguration in January, is seen in Kyiv as a diplomatic win for Ukraine. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy said being able to meet personally with Trump before Russian President Vladimir Putin does “is a good signal.”
Zelenskyy said he hopes to discuss whether the U.S. plans to halt its military aid to Ukraine and, if so, whether Kyiv would be able to purchase weapons directly from the U.S.
He also wants to know whether Ukraine can use frozen Russian assets for the purchase of weapons and whether Washington plans to lift sanctions on Moscow.
Fears that Trump could broker a peace deal with Russia that is unfavorable to Ukraine have been amplified by recent precedent-busting actions by his administration. Trump held a lengthy phone call with Putin, and U.S. officials met with their Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia without inviting European or Ukrainian leaders — both dramatic breaks with previous U.S. policy to isolate Putin over his invasion.
Trump later seemed to falsely blame Ukraine for starting the war, and called Zelenskyy a “dictator” for not holding elections after the end of his regular term last year, though Ukrainian law prohibits elections while martial law is in place.
As Zelenskyy seeks to lower the temperature with the U.S. while in Washington, American officials are saying the economic deal, if implemented, would itself provide a measure of security to Ukraine through the presence of U.S. investments on its territory.
On Wednesday, Trump said the U.S. working on mineral extraction in Ukraine would amount to “automatic security because nobody’s going to be messing around with our people when we’re there.”
“It’s a great deal for Ukraine too, because they get us over there and we’re going to be working over there,” Trump said. “We will be on the land.”
That perspective is echoed by the text of the economic agreement, which says the U.S. “supports Ukraine’s efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace.”
Washington, it continues, has “a long-term financial commitment to the development of a stable and economically prosperous Ukraine.”
Spike reported from Kyiv, Ukraine.
