Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 212

February 12, 2025

Kyrie Irving drops 42 to lead depleted Mavericks past Warriors

Jimmy Butler didn’t solve all the Warriors’ problems, after all.

After winning the first two games of the Butler era, the Warriors dropped one of their worst losses of the season. In Dallas, in front of a crowd still reeling from the Luka Doncic trade aftershocks, against a team without seven of its best players, Golden State’s fourth-quarter comeback came up short.

Turnovers, missed layups and defensive breakdowns — hallmarks of the Warriors’ slide after their 12-3 start — returned even with Butler in the fold. The Warriors had a golden chance to earn their first winning streak since November, and they blew it in a 111-107 defeat.

Even though the Mavericks didn’t have a healthy center, the Warriors (27-27) couldn’t hit a shot at the rim, going 31-for-58 (53.4%) in the paint and played matador defense on the perimeter. Kyrie Irving put his depleted team on his back with 42 points on 15-for-25 shooting, feasting on overmatched defenders all night.

“Not good,” Steve Kerr said postgame when asked about the state of his team’s perimeter defense. “My mistake was probably not hitting Kyrie earlier and getting the ball out of his hands. I think we did a pretty effective job of that in the fourth quarter. I probably should’ve gone to that earlier.”

Butler logged 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to support Steph Curry’s 25 points, but the Warriors shot just 28.6% from 3. Klay Thompson, the former Warriors icon, had it going early and scored 17 overall.

There’s no shame in losing to the Mavericks, but losing to these Mavericks is brutal.

Anthony Davis, who arrived in the shocking Luka Doncic trade, is expected to miss multiple weeks with a left abductor strain. Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell are also hurt, leaving the Mavericks to play five-out for most of the game. Butler, at 6-foot-7, was often the tallest player on the court.

Even as the Warriors dominated on the glass and with second-chance points, their 3s didn’t fall and neither did their layups. Turnovers and defensive breakdowns allowed Dallas to take a 14-point lead in the first half.

The Warriors were so frustrated, Terry Stotts and Draymond Green needed to hold back Kerr from an official during a timeout after he picked up a technical foul.

Irving poured in three 3-pointers in the span of 40 seconds in the third quarter, taking over the game. Without Andrew Wiggins, who’s now a Miami Heat, the Warriors are going to leak against dynamic scoring guards like Irving and Damian Lillard, who went for 38 against Golden State in Milwaukee.

The Warriors had no good defensive options against him. Buddy Hield spent too much time trying to check him. Butler still isn’t in good enough condition to chase him around. Gary Payton II typically doesn’t give Golden State enough offensively to play heavy minutes. Moses Moody is better at sizing up bigger opponents than quicker ones.

Irving continued the trend in a major way.

Moses Moody helped Golden State weather Irving’s hot hand, reaching double-digit scoring for the 12th time in his past 14 games. But the Warriors haven’t been a team that can mount comebacks all year, and they’re now 1-21 in games in which they trail entering the fourth quarter.

After a bizarre missed call on a kick-ball violation, Kerr called a timeout with his team down nine early in the fourth.

Irving hit two more 3s and the Warriors kept tricking layups. Even as Butler bullied his way to the rim for an and-1 and earned foul shots, Golden State’s defense bled points. They never contained the ball, allowing drives that led either to shots at the rim or kickouts to the perimeter.

The Warriors halted the Mavericks’ late-game offense by sending double teams at Irving. Green also made a spectacular rejection on Max Christie at the rim and disrupted another layup.

But Golden State needed more stops.

Irving got a beneficial call on a rip-through move for three foul shots and then sank a contested 3 to give Dallas a late lead.

Curry tied the game by going 1-for-2 at the stripe, but Naji Marshall’s leaner in the paint with 25.6 seconds left put the Mavs back ahead.

With a chance to tie or take the lead, Kerr put the ball in Butler’s hands. But he barreled over Irving for an offensive foul. Although he joined Wilt Chamberlain and Kevin Durant as the only players to score at least 20 points in their first three games as a Warrior, he did so in a loss.

It’s unclear if the Warriors will have Curry and Butler available in Houston on Thursday on the second night of a back-to-back. The team will land early in the morning and figure it out with the training staff from there.

“I don’t know,” Kerr said. “It’s a tough back-to-back. That’s what makes this loss even more frustrating.”

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Published on February 12, 2025 21:25

White House says it has the right to punish AP reporters over Gulf naming dispute

By DAVID BAUDER, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The White House said Wednesday that news organizations that refuse to use President Donald Trump’s new name for the Gulf of Mexico were telling “lies” and insisted it would continue to bar Associated Press journalists from presidential events.

Trump has decreed that the international body of water — which borders Mexico, the United States and other nations — be called the Gulf of America. In its influential Stylebook, the AP said it would continue to use Gulf of Mexico, while also noting Trump’s decision, to ensure that names of geographical features are recognizable around the world.

The White House’s outright attempt at regulating language used by independent media — and the punitive measures attached to it — mark a sharp escalation in Trump’s often fraught dealings with news organizations.

At a regular briefing Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that “it is a fact that the body of water off the coast of Louisiana is called the Gulf of America, and I’m not sure why news outlets don’t want to call it that.”

In reality, the body lies partially in waters that don’t belong to the United States and has been called the Gulf of Mexico for hundreds of years.

On Tuesday, AP reporters were blocked from attending events in the Oval Office and the White House’s Diplomatic Reception Room. While an AP reporter was in the White House briefing room Wednesday for Leavitt’s remarks, they were turned away at a later event in the Oval Office for the swearing in of Tulsi Gabbard as national intelligence director.

Julie Pace, AP’s senior vice president and executive editor, wrote to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on Wednesday objecting to the moves.

“The actions taken by this White House were plainly intended to punish the AP for the content of its speech,” Pace wrote. “It is among the most basic tenets of the First Amendment that the government cannot retaliate against the public or the press for what they say.”

White House says Oval Office access is a privilege

The White House pointed out that the AP was allowed into its briefing Wednesday but continued to take issue with the style of the gulf’s name. “Nobody has the right to go into the Oval Office and ask the president of the United States questions,” Leavitt said. “We reserve the right to decide who gets to go into the Oval Office.”

Generally, when the press is permitted to cover White House events where space is tight, a small pool of journalists are allowed in. The AP, which transmits news to thousands of clients, has traditionally been a part of that pool in past administrations.

Asked if barring AP reporters was retaliatory, Leavitt said that the Interior Secretary has codified the name change in official documents and that “pretty much every other outlet in this room has recognized that body of water as the Gulf of America.”

The move raised alarms among several advocates for the press. “Barring an AP journalist from covering an Oval Office event because the AP has not adopted President Trump’s change of name to what has long been called the Gulf of Mexico is an affront to the First Amendment,” said noted attorney Floyd Abrams.

A major consortium of news organizations, the Inter American Press Association, said Wednesday that the White House move was “an act of censorship and intimidation that violates the freedom of the press enshrined in the United States Constitution.”

The president of the IAPA, José Roberto Dutriz, expressed concern about this measure: “Restricting press coverage and warning against the AP demonstrate a troubling intention to impose official criteria on public interest information, with the threat of reprisals for those who do not comply,” said José Roberto Dutriz, CEO and general director of La Prensa Gráfica in El Salvador.

Many who write follow AP style

Users of the Google map app in the United States will now see the body of water referred to as the Gulf of America, the company said. Mexican users would see “Gulf of Mexico.” Elsewhere in the world, Google identifies it as “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”

But the AP’s decision is influential because many news outlets and other organizations use it as an arbiter of how to consistently refer to things.

Some larger outlets have their own rules.

The New York Times said it would continue to use Gulf of Mexico, while noting Trump’s renaming in stories that discuss that issue. The gulf, which borders Mexico and Cuba as well as the United States, has been known as the Gulf of Mexico for more than 400 years.The Washington Post also said it would use Gulf of Mexico in most references because it “is not solely within the United States’ jurisdiction and the name of Gulf of America might confuse global readers.”Fox News said that, starting Sunday, it would use Gulf of America in all of its references.

Trump has also ordered that the United States’ tallest mountain revert to the name Mount McKinley after President Barack Obama changed the Alaska peak to its Indigenous name, Denali. AP says it would follow Trump’s decision because he has the authority to rename areas that are solely within the United States.

David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social

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Published on February 12, 2025 16:18

NBA All-Star weekend: What’s happening around Bay Area as basketball showcase arrives

CHANCE THE RAPPER SET TO PERFORM

Chance the Rapper will be tipping off the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in a musical fashion as he headlines the NBA on TNT American Express Road Show on Thursday. The show takes place at Pier 48 — not far away from where the Golden State Warriors will be hosting the NBA All-Star Game itself on Feb. 16 at Chase Center in San Francisco. The event will also feature TNT’s Inside the NBA studio team of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal, who will be providing live pre-game/halftime/postgame coverage of the Oklahoma City Thunder/Minnesota Timberwolves game that same night. There will also be other basketball-related attractions. – Jim Harrington

NBA CROSSOVER TAKES OVER MOSCONE CENTER

Fans will have their chance to explore immersive basketball activities, take photos with mascots and potentially meet and greet players and coaches during the signature fan event of All-Star weekend. NBA Crossover runs from Friday through Sunday at San Francisco’s Moscone Center.

DAMIAN LILLARD GIVES BACK TO EAST BAY SCHOOLS

NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is partnering with Portland State to create a pipeline between the university and nine East Bay schools. The PSU Damian Lillard Scholarship will award recipients $25,000 per year to reduce out-of-state tuition. Lillard, who starred at Oakland High, spent a decade with the Portland Trail Blazers before moving on to the Milwaukee Bucks. According to a news release, 15 of the 27 Damian Lillard Scholar-eligible students who applied to Portland State have been admitted. The six applicants from Oakland High will join Lillard on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the high school for a scholarship announcement.

FORMER WARRIORS CHAMP DONATES BOOKS

Clifford Ray, the starting center on the Warriors’ 1975 championship team, is visiting five schools in the Oakland area this week as a lead-up to All-Star weekend in the Bay Area. As part of “Clifford’s BIG 2025 NBA All-Star Book Drive,” he plans to meet with students and share his story and children’s book, “Big Clifford Ray Saves the Day.” Thanks to various donations, students are receiving free copies of the book that describes the “true and unusual story” of Ray “saving the dolphin Doctor Spock in 1978 while playing for the Warriors.”

CURRY’S GROUP LIGHTS UP SPLASH

Stephen Curry’s company Thirty Ink will take over Thrive City’s new sports bar, Splash, outside Chase Center, on Saturday and Sunday. The activation will include a legacy museum devoted to Curry, as well as live podcasts on Saturday and “exclusive customized merch” both days before a watch party for All-Star Saturday Night and the All-Star Game.

CHASE HOSTS CONCERTS, PANELS

Chase is putting up shop for two days at City View Metreon for a registration-only festival that is expected to feature discussions with Warriors player Moses Moody and WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson on Friday, and a panel from the WNBA’s new Golden State Valkyries on Saturday. Players Kayla Thornton and Kate Martin, as well as coach Natalie Nakase are scheduled to talk hoops. Musical guests include Saweetie, thuy, and LaRussell.

GOOGLE GETS INTO HOOPS

The Google Pixel House at 667 Howard St. in San Francisco will host a mini basketball tournament on Friday night, then a dunk showcase on Saturday afternoon and a concert performance from rapper 2 Chainz set for 8 p.m. Saturday night. Google warned that space is limited for the 2 Chainz, so fans may want to arrive early.

STARS VISIT OAKSTOP

Former Cal star Jaylen Brown, Warriors legend Baron Davis and Oakland-raised big man Antonio Davis will all be at the Sneaker Ball Luncheon at Oakstop’s Franklin Street location in Oakland. The luncheon is Friday from 1-4 p.m. and is just one of several Oakstop events this weekend: The Broadway location will have an HBCU alumni cocktail party on Thursday night and a sports business careers panel midday Friday.

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Published on February 12, 2025 15:40

Judge clears way for Trump’s plan to downsize federal workforce with deferred resignation program

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s plan to downsize the federal workforce with a deferred resignation program.

U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. in Boston found a group of labor unions didn’t have legal standing to challenge the program, commonly described as a buyout.

Trump wants to use financial incentives to encourage government employees to quit. According to the White House, tens of thousands of workers have taken the government up on its offer.

The deferred resignation program has been spearheaded by Elon Musk, who is serving as Trump’s top adviser for reducing federal spending. Under the plan, employees can stop working and get paid until Sept. 30.

Labor unions argued the plan is illegal and asked for O’Toole to keep it on hold and prevent the Office of Personnel Management, or OPM, from soliciting more workers to sign up.

A Justice Department lawyer has called the plan a “humane off ramp” for federal employees who may have structured their lives around working remotely and have been ordered to return to government offices.

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Published on February 12, 2025 15:17

Klay Thompson stuck in Mavericks’ chaos as Warriors visit Dallas

Klay Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks this summer to help Luka Doncic defend their Western Conference title.

That lasted about four months.

The Mavericks shocked the NBA world when general manager Nico Harrison traded their 25-year-old superstar to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick in a move that has drawn near-universal ire, and a special type of fury from Mavericks fans.

Hundreds of Mavericks fans staged a protest outside the American Airlines arena for their first game after trading Doncic, holding signs that said, “Fire Nico.” The next game, multiple fans got ejected for yelling the same words and former primary owner Mark Cuban reportedly cursed out fans. Franchise legend Dirk Nowitzki attended Doncic’s debut for the Lakers and Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd declined to hold his required postgame press conference.

That’s the environment the Warriors are stepping into on Wednesday night, on the first leg of a back-to-back. And it’s the atmosphere Thompson, the former Warrior, is being forced to navigate.

“I mean, you can acknowledge it and understand the frustration because Luka was that great,” Thompson said after Dallas’ overtime loss to Sacramento Monday. “And he was homebred here so when you feel like you grew up with somebody, it hurts to lose them. Especially to a team in your conference.”

Thompson has started all 47 games he has played and is averaging 13.8 points per game. He spent the first 13 years of his career with the Warriors, winning four championships and forming the greatest shooting backcourt ever with Steph Curry.

He dealt with his fair share of high-profile drama with Golden State, but the Doncic trade has created a different level of tension.

Doncic made five straight All-NBA first teams and hasn’t yet hit his prime, but the Mavericks nonetheless moved on from him. Although Davis is an excellent player, the return for Doncic is far less — particularly in draft asset compensation — than that of other recent star trades.

To make matters worse, Davis suffered a left adductor strain in his Mavericks debut, which is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks. Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell are also injured, leaving Dallas without a center against the Warriors.

At 28-26, the Mavericks are slipping in a tightly packed Western Conference.

Mavericks fans are fuming as it all unfolds. The players are left in the crossfire.

“I signed here and so did everyone else who had an opportunity to for a reason,” Thompson said. “That’s because we believe in the opportunities ahead of us and that’s the ability to win. It’s not our job to get deflated because people are upset. It’s our job to try to commit to them that there are really great days ahead. Not just this year, but in the next few years. I really believe that we can do something incredibly special.”

The last time the Mavericks met the Warriors was on Dec. 15, when Thompson made his anticipated return to Chase Center. He dropped a season-high 29 points, but Curry got the last laugh with 38 points and a handful of clutch shots to lift Golden State to a win.

While the Doncic trade has the Mavericks’ arrow pointing downward, the Warriors retooled at the trade deadline by acquiring Jimmy Butler. They’re 2-0 since the deal and Butler has fit in seamlessly despite being admittedly out of shape and not yet having time to practice with his team and learn their plays.

“Steph, he looks like he’s got belief,” Draymond Green said on his podcast. “After the trade, he looked at me and he said, ‘Man, it’s crazy because it just dawned on me, like this is it. Like, this is the last ride.’ And I said, let’s do it.”

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Published on February 12, 2025 15:02

Monterey County residents sue Vistra, others for damages due to fire

MOSS LANDING – Despite testing from the county and corporations saying there is no risk to public health, many Monterey County residents near and around the site of the Moss Landing Battery Plant fire have shared concerns about the aftermath.

A group of Monterey County residents filed a lawsuit in Alameda County against several companies for damages following the large fire at the Moss Landing Battery Plant on Jan. 16.

The complaint filed by Singleton Schreiber, LLP, 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.

The complaint is being filed in Alameda county because the group claims PG&E is partly responsible for the damages as the company oversees parts of the Vistra plant.

Singleton Schreiber and attorney Erin Brockovich held a town hall meeting Tuesday, to answer questions about the lawsuit and how others can file for damages.

The lawsuit is not considered a class action, but a mass tort – a group of lawsuits filed under a similar claims.

Many of the questions centered around if there were any risks to public health, and how people could try to use their own soil and water samples. Residents complained about shortness of breath, a metallic taste in their mouth and not being able to get their blood tested at local hospitals.

The attorneys advised people to continue speaking up, and pushing for testing if they feel a risk to their health.

“Be your own best advocate,” said Knut Johnson, senior counsel for Singleton Schreiber. “Go to your doctor and tell them you’ve been exposed to the smoke and heavy metals, you want to be tested, and you want your insurance to pay for it. The more people that advocate, the better.”

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Published on February 12, 2025 14:47

Ex-49er Dana Stubblefield speaks publicly after being released from prison

SAN JOSE — Dana Stubblefield spoke publicly Wednesday for the first time since he was freed from prison, as his attorneys argued that the former San Francisco 49ers star should not be re-charged because of trial errors that led to his 2020 rape conviction being overturned late last year.

Stubblefield, 54, left Corcoran State Prison on Friday after a Santa Clara County judge ordered his release — with a GPS ankle monitor — pending an appeal of his conviction reversal to the California Supreme Court. The county district attorney’s office has signaled that it intends to re-file charges alleging that Stubblefield raped a prospective babysitter at his Morgan Hill home a decade ago.

Former San Francisco 49ers star Dana Stubblefield speaks during a press conference in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

But when that might happen is up in the air, hinging on the high court’s discretion on whether to review the case, and local prosecutors’ ultimate decision on whether to pursue a second trial. Stubblefield spoke in a downtown San Jose conference room voicing gratitude for the efforts to get him out of prison, where he was more than three years into a 15-years-to-life sentence.

“Throughout this tough ordeal, I always believed the truth will come out,” said Stubblefield, who read from prepared remarks and did not take questions under the advice of his attorneys. “There (were) long nights when I sat in my cell, an innocent man, wondering if things would ever be right, but I held on to hope. I want to thank my family and friends who stood by me during these hard times.”

Before and after his conviction in the summer of 2020, Stubblefield and his legal team have maintained that his sexual encounter with a woman identified in court only as Jane Doe was an instance of paid sex, not rape.

His trial attorneys, Kenneth Rosenfeld and Allen Sawyer, reiterated their criticism over evidence of Doe as a sex worker being excluded from trial. They also assert that subsequent interviews of Doe that backtracked a claim that Stubblefield threatened her with a gun during the 2015 alleged assault were also kept away from jurors.

“There’s a long road for the government to go to possibly get this case back in front of a jury. But again, we don’t think it’s fair that Mr. Stubblefield should have to sit through another jury trial because of an error on behalf of the government,” Sawyer said. “Why should we be burdened on anything? We didn’t commit these errors.”

Rosenfeld added that even if the state Supreme Court were to overrule the conviction reversal handed down by the Sixth District Court of Appeal, Stubblefield’s appellate petition outlines a dozen more court and prosecution errors they say prejudiced the trial. And if the high court declined to hear the appeal by the Attorney General’s office — on behalf of the local district attorney’s office — he argues that the proper inclusion of exonerating evidence would clear Stubblefield.

“If this does come down to that, then Dana wants his day to prove his innocence,” Rosenfeld said.

Stubblefield’s conviction and sentence were vacated by the Sixth District Court of Appeal in a Dec. 26 ruling that determined the county district attorney’s office violated the state’s Racial Justice Act during closing trial arguments.

The appellate judges took particular issue with a prosecutor’s explanation for why police did not search Stubblefield’s home for a gun. Deputy District Attorney Tim McInerney referred to a “storm of controversy” that would have ensued from a police search of a famous Black man, and the judges decided it allowed jurors to “feel justified or even compelled by misguided notions of racial fairness to overlook or discount the absence of a gun” when determining Stubblefield’s guilt.

At the Friday court hearing that ended with an order to release Stubblefield, McInerney stood by the strength of the trial evidence and argued that the Sixth District ruling did not equate to an exoneration. The challenge to the conviction reversal argues that the Racial Justice Act finding was not strong enough to warrant vacating the conviction and sentence.

Stubblefield — who played for the 49ers from 1993 to 2001 as a tackle and was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1997 — said he is now trying to make up for lost time.

“Being back with my family after four long years is incredible. The time away from my wife and kids was the hardest part,” he said Wednesday. “Now I really want to focus on what truly matters, watching my son play football, coaching him a little bit, and having dinner with my wife … We all take the time for granted, but I won’t.”

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Published on February 12, 2025 14:38

Best Thomas & Friends toy

Which Thomas & Friends toy is best?

Thomas is a little tank engine that lives on the fictional island of Sodor. He’s not just an engine, though; he’s an engine with a human face. Thomas and his other engine friends get into trouble and back out of it again by always being “really useful engines.” Thomas & Friends appear in books and movies and on television shows.

Children make up their own stories and adventures while playing with their very own, very blue Thomas. If you’re interested in a top-of-the-line Thomas & Friends toy, take a look at the Thomas & Friends Toy Train Set, Super Station.

What to know before you buy a Thomas & Friends toy

Thomas is a kindhearted blue tank engine with a human face and lots of friends. Thomas interacts with humans sometimes, but his real friends have their own names, faces and numbers. Thomas is engine # 1.

Thomas’ friendsEdward is engine #2. He’s also blue, and he runs his own branch railroad. Edward is a wise and clever optimist who shares his knowledge and encourages other engines. He’s one of the oldest engines on Sodor and is occasionally teased by others about his age.Henry is engine #3. He is a green, all-purpose tender that works on the Main Line. When he was young, Henry didn’t operate properly and needed a special diet of Welsh coal. After an accident, he was rebuilt and now looks and works better than ever.Gordon is engine #4. He is a blue express passenger engine and one of the fastest and strongest on the island. Because he’s so big and fast, Gordon feels superior to the other engines and is sometimes boastful about it.James is engine #5. He’s a red tender who usually works on the Main Line. James is proud of his bright red paint and can be vain about it, but doesn’t like getting dirty.Percy is engine #6 and Thomas’s best friend. He is a small green tank engine that works on Thomas’s branch line. His favorite job is delivering the mail. Percy likes to play tricks on others and often gets into trouble.What to look for in a quality Thomas & Friends toy

You have many choices of types of Thomas & Friends toys. Here are four of the most popular categories.

Train track sets

Track sets are made of sustainably sourced wood. They come in pieces that snap together easily, and you can assemble them in all kinds of shapes and configurations. Because this is how Thomas & Friends toys get around, track sets are the most popular Thomas & Friends toy accessories.

Wooden engines

These are the classic Thomas & Friends toys. The wood is smooth and solid and connects with magnets to make trains with as many engines and cars as you wish.

Battery-operated engines

The more, the merrier in the world of Thomas & Friends toys. Battery-operated engines allow Thomas & Friends toys to run around on track sets under their own power.

Interactive toys

These Thomas & Friends toys are for toddlers and preschoolers.

How much you can expect to spend on a Thomas & Friends toy

For less than $20, you can get engines, books and some interactive Thomas & Friends toys. Multipack sets, simple track sets and mini train collections all cost $20-$40. Over $40 is where you’ll find more elaborate track sets and notable Sodor landmarks.

Thomas & Friends toy FAQHow can you stop the batteries from running out of power so quickly?

A. Make sure you turn off the battery-operated trains when kids forget to, so they can rest between uses, and you don’t have to replace them so often.

At what age do kids tire of Thomas & Friends toys?

A. Most kids get interested in Thomas & Friends toys as toddlers and stay interested through the early elementary school years.

What’s the best Thomas & Friends toy to buy?Top Thomas & Friends toy

Thomas & Friends Toy Train Set, Super Station

What you need to know: With its turntable, crane and customizable tracks, this train set has everything a child needs to keep them entertained for hours.

What you’ll love: This tall, multi-tracked playset has four different track layouts. It comes with three tank engines and a helicopter.

What you should consider: This is a very expensive toy set.

Top Thomas & Friends toy for the money

Wooden Thomas & Friends Engine #1

What you need to know: This Thomas & Friends toy is a timeless classic.

What you’ll love: The design of this Thomas & Friends toy is solid, ultra durable and made of sustainably sourced wood. Choose from 10 Thomas & Friends characters, including Thomas himself, Ashima, Bertie, Harold, Diesel and five more. Magnetic connectors allow this toy to connect to other Thomas & Friends railroad cars that are sold separately.

What you should consider: This Thomas & Friends toy doesn’t talk or make train sounds.

Worth checking out

Thomas & Friends Minis 30-Pack of Toy Trains

What you need to know: You can create your own 30-car super train with these mini toys that link together easily.

What you’ll love: This set of 30 toy trains is a great start for those who want to collect all 80 Thomas & Friends minis. Each of these tiny trains has its own special design, including Neon Splatter, Monkey Percy and Camouflage Rosie. Included are three exclusive beach theme designs.

What you should consider: These Thomas & Friends toys are only 2 inches long.

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

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Published on February 12, 2025 03:16

Best stockpot

Which stockpot is best?

If your idea of heaven is a thick, rich stew bubbling away on the stove, chances are good that you already understand the value of a high-quality stockpot. These large, straight-sided cooking vessels streamline the preparation of bulk batches of food.

When you are ready to invest in a stockpot that will last for generations, the All-Clad D5 Stockpot With Lid is the best choice. It performs beautifully on all cooking surfaces and comes from a brand that professional chefs trust.

What to know before you buy a stockpotStockpot capacity

A stockpot is designed to cook massive quantities of food at once. The downside is that these large pots take up lots of kitchen real estate. While 10-quart stockpots exist, 12- and 16-quart ones are more common, and best suited for most home kitchens.

Stockpot materials

The material you select dictates the heat retention quality and the pot’s durability and style.

Stainless steel: Stainless steel is the most common material. Solid stainless is durable and performs well.Enamel: Enameled stockpots feature an aluminum or stainless core coated with enamel. This gives cooks more color options and protects the pot from nicks and dings.Anodized: Anodized pots are aluminum with an electrochemically bonded non-stick coating. This works for cooks who want an easy-release interior coating, but this type of pot is less common.Hybrid: Hybrid stockpots feature an aluminum core for even heating wrapped in multiple layers of stainless steel. The most common number of layers is three, but 5-ply hybrid pots exist (and are the most expensive option).Stockpot height and weight

You want a pot large enough to cook big batches of soups and stews, but for shorter cooks, too much height can be an issue. Tall stockpots can be difficult to reach into, and their weight when loaded can also be prohibitive. Make sure you can reach into the pot and carry it as needed.

What to look for in a quality stockpotOven-safe

Most cooks use a stockpot on the stove, but some recipes require a finishing trip to the oven. The best stockpot is oven-safe to at least 350 degrees, but some can withstand temperatures of up to 600 degrees.

Sturdy, stay-cool handles

Fully loaded, a 16-quart stockpot can weigh 15 pounds or more. Make sure the handles on your stockpot are firmly riveted in place. Stay-cool handles are also a must, especially when transferring the pot from the oven to the stovetop.

Well-fitted lid

A lid that nestles into the stockpot retains steam and heat without creating suction or a vacuum. Some feature a lip and a slight overhang, while others fit inside the walls of the stockpot.

How much you can expect to spend on a stockpot

The main driver of price is the material used. Expect to spend $90-$600, with quality options all along that range.

Stockpot FAQWhat is a stockpot used for?

A. The most common use might be soups or stews, but that’s not the only thing you can make in these large pots. Other uses include:

Boiling lobsters and crabsMaking candles and soapDyeing fabricBrewing beer, wine and meadMixing paint and stainDo you need a dedicated stockpot?

A. Pasta pots, Dutch ovens and stockpots all serve the same basic purpose: to cook large quantities of food. However, there are some differences between them.

A stockpot has straight sides, with no curving inward or outward. This design preserves the moisture inside the pot and does not allow for evaporation. Stockpots are also designed to be used primarily on the stovetop.A Dutch oven is largely used in an oven. The upper wall flares out slightly to allow steam to escape over long periods.Pasta pots are, as their name indicates, used for boiling water and preparing pasta. Many of these come with steamers or colanders for draining pasta water. Although they resemble stock pots more closely than Dutch ovens, pasta pots are often thin-walled and less sturdy than stock pots. If you make more pasta than soups or stews, or if storage space is scarce, this might be a good dual-purpose pot.

Whether you need a dedicated stockpot depends on what you cook most often.

What’s the best stockpot to buy?Top stockpot

All-Clad D5 Stockpot With Lid

What you need to know: This 8-quart stockpot comes from a kitchen brand that professional chefs trust.

What you’ll love: It’s a high-end pot made of durable 18/10 brushed stainless steel. It has 5-ply bonding for even heating. The handles stay cool and are securely riveted. It’s dishwasher-safe. It can be used in the oven up to 600 degrees. It’s also safe on induction cooktops.

What you should consider: It is a costly pot.

Top stockpot for the money

Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Four-piece Pasta/Steamer Set

What you need to know: It is a versatile option at a substantially lower price.

What you’ll love: The set includes not only a stainless steel 12-quart stockpot but also a colander, steamer insert and lid. The aluminum base heats evenly. It’s dishwasher-safe.

What you should consider: This cannot be used on induction burners, and some users found the stainless steel wore out quickly.

Worth checking out

Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Stock Pot/Stockpot with Lid

What you need to know: At 16 quarts, this stockpot is great for large-batch cooking and feeding a crowd.

What you’ll love: It has a classic mirror finish and a domed top, and is also available in a 12-quart capacity. It has an aluminum core wrapped in thick stainless steel for even heating and no hot spots. It’s oven-safe to 350 degrees and cleans up easily in the dishwasher.

What you should consider: Filled to capacity, this stockpot is very heavy. Use with caution.

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

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Published on February 12, 2025 03:11

Horoscopes Feb. 12, 2025: Josh Brolin, share your vision with those close to you

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Christina Ricci, 45; Darren Aronofsky, 56; Josh Brolin, 57; Arsenio Hall, 69.

Happy Birthday: Share your vision with those close to you, and the input you get will help you determine what’s possible. Take precautionary measures when dealing with joint ventures and budgets that can quickly spin out of control. Implementing safety measures will also weed out anyone trying to take advantage of you this year. Spend more time building a solid base and measuring the possibilities to ensure you come out on top. Your numbers are 5, 16, 21, 24, 29, 34, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Look for the best path forward and set your sights on manufacturing what you need to convince others to see things your way and help you reach your goals. A positive and in-depth discussion will help you fine-tune your path to fit your budget. Personal growth is on the rise. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Only change what’s necessary. Taking on too much or putting someone else’s battle first will diminish the progress of projects that mean the most to you. Be bold, adjust and be very clear about what you want and are willing to give in return, and move forward with a clear conscience. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep the momentum flowing and refuse to let someone’s negativity or uncertainty stand in the way. Rise for whatever occasion you encounter, and let your charm win favors from whoever offers something that makes you shine brighter. Stretch your imagination, and personal gain will be yours. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put your energy where it counts, and you’ll gain the strength, courage and drive to reach your target on time. Let your creative imagination lead the way and take care of your responsibilities, and you’ll attract influential people who can offer unique suggestions while keeping tabs on your progress. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Live with what you’ve got, save time and money, and ward off opposition. Emotional spending can quickly turn into a problem if you aren’t careful. Generosity and helping others before you take care of your interests will be your downfall. Do what’s best for you. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Emotions and secrets will be counterproductive if you neglect what’s important to you. Spell out what you want for those who cannot see what’s right in front of them. Be bold, and vow to make changes to ensure you do what’s best and suitable for you. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): An open mind will help you expand your awareness and pick and choose the best way to use your attributes to get ahead. Charm, intelligence and networking will play in your favor and help bring you face-to-face with people who have something to offer in return. A partnership looks promising. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take one step at a time, ask questions and refuse to alter what’s working efficiently. Take the plunge and use your skills to produce something unique and innovative that fits current trends. It’s time to market yourself with charisma, high energy and persistence; the results will be outstanding. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Travel time is necessary to explore more possibilities. Whether it’s physical, mental or emotional travel you’ll be doing, the result will be a learning experience that will help you let go of the past and those who have let you down. Trust your instincts, not someone else’s suggestion. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Refuse to let change lead to debt. Look for cheaper ways to make your life better. Choose to work on self-improvement, health and meaningful relationships using positive action, conversation and promises that bring you closer to your expectations. You cannot buy love, but you can earn it. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Refurbish what you already have, and you’ll feel good about your environment and what you accomplish. Refuse to let others rain on your parade. Do what suits you best; your surroundings will be conducive to peace of mind and a place you feel good about calling home. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Set your goal, and don’t stop or jeopardize your chance to reach it simply to accommodate someone else. The improvements you achieve will facilitate what you need to produce undeniable results. Refuse to let anyone tempt you to put your efforts toward something that benefits them more than you. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, accommodating and loyal. You are optimistic and persistent.

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.

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Published on February 12, 2025 03:01

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