Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 222

McDonald: Pete Carroll, at 73, just might be the right man to stop the Raiders’ spiral

It wasn’t long into yet another Raiders introductory press conference when new general manager John Spytek cited the influence of high school coach Bill Young, who taught him the fundamentals of program-building, toughness and how to compete.

Young is still going strong at Catholic Memorial High in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

“He’s 75 years old, can’t give it up and wins state championships all the time,” Spytek said.

With a sense of perfect timing, the man sitting to his left interjected, “Why are you looking at me?”

Pete Carroll will turn 74 in September when he embarks on his first season as head coach of the Raiders.

Carroll and Spytek fielded questions for nearly a half-hour at the club facility in Henderson, Nevada. Carroll took a year off after 14 years with the Seattle Seahawks. Spytek, who came with a big endorsement from minority owner Tom Brady, spent the last nine years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including the last two as assistant general manager. He has an extensive scouting and personnel background that includes stints with the Eagles, Lions, Browns and Broncos.

They took a page from every introductory press conference in the history of the sport when speaking of wanting players who “love football” and insisting on daily competition, the same thing Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have talked about for the last eight years with the 49ers.

Yet make no mistake. This is a big departure for the Raiders, a franchise shrouded by gloom and doom that has been interrupted only intermittently since they returned to Oakland in 1995 before leaving for Las Vegas after 25 seasons.

In an AFC West where the head coaches are the Chiefs’ Andy Reid, Denver’s Sean Payton and the Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh, the Raiders suddenly don’t look overmatched. And there’s always the Harbaugh-Carroll dynamic to look forward to, a rivalry that began with Stanford-USC and continued with 49ers-Seahawks.

There hasn’t been this kind of natural jolt of energy for the franchise since Jon Gruden arrived for the first time in 1998. Gruden formed an alliance with owner Al Davis that wouldn’t last and helped the franchise temporarily reverse its fortunes with a run of three straight division titles (the last one under Bill Callahan).

From 2003 until now, it’s been Norv Turner . . . Art Shell Part II . . . Lane Kiffin . . . Tom Cable . . . Hue Jackson . . . Dennis Allen . . . Jack Del Rio . . . Gruden Part II . . . Josh McDaniels . . . Antonio Pierce. That list doesn’t even include interim coaches Tony Sparano and Rich Bisaccia.

At no point did the cloud over the franchise lift, even when owner Mark Davis secured a new state-of-the-art home in Las Vegas that put the Raiders on a competitive level financially with the rest of the league.

(Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)Pete Carroll (right) hugs linebacker Bobby Wagner after an interception against the 49ers in 2017.

There was an outlier under Del Rio in 2016 when quarterback Derek Carr broke his leg on Christmas Eve. There was an out-of-the-blue playoff berth in 2021 under Bisaccia after Gruden was fired for offensive leaked emails, a 10-7 season that didn’t appear sustainable.

Then came the McDaniel-Dave Ziegler disaster, with McDaniel managing to alienate his own team and a fan base in just 25 games with nine wins.

This one feels different. We’ll learn about Spytek as it goes, but Carroll is a known commodity and in terms of positive vibes has been a force of nature since taking over at USC in 2001 and rebuilding it into a national power before leaving for Seattle. He won 10 or more games eight times and won one of two Super Bowls.

Carroll did it without ever building a cynical edge or carrying himself as if he were curing cancer. There’s no sense of self-importance or the secretive paranoia that is so easily exacerbated by the toxic environment that has surrounded the Raiders for years.

The press conference lacked organizational hyperbole in terms of the “Greatness of the Raiders” because let’s face it — the Raiders haven’t been great for a long, long time because of dysfunction at just about every level. For a change, it didn’t feel like an infomercial.

Carroll, a Marin County native and product of Redwood High, even downplayed the aspect of winning the fourth Lombardi Trophy for the franchise.

“It hasn’t been about trying to trying to win championship games so I can put that banner or ring in my drawer,” Carroll said. “It’s about competing. It’s about being the best you can possibly be with what you have to work with and taking on the challenges of it.”

Another key hire wasn’t present at the press conference with Carroll and Spytek but it’s pretty clear he’ll have a major say in remaking the Raiders. Minority owner Tom Brady, whose Hall of Fame career was launched by the “Tuck Rule” and Raider misfortune after the 2001 season, pushed for Spytek hard and was consulted about Carroll.

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One of Brady’s biggest duties will be helping to find a franchise quarterback. His duties won’t be simply ceremonial and an opportunity to use the Brady name, image and likeness to go along with seven Super Bowl rings.

Carroll said Brady has been “integrally involved. … This is his opportunity to put a stamp on the franchise and we’re excited to represent that. He’s involved, he’s going to continue to be involved and we’re going to lean on him like crazy.”

While saying he wasn’t “proud of wearing No. 73 on my back” Carroll shrugged off ageism as an artificial barrier.

“If there’s anybody out there that’s old and wants to know how you do it, you freaking battle every day and you compete and you find a way to get better,” Carroll said. “Obviously I’m jacked up. That shouldn’t surprise you.”

The only surprise is that the Raiders may have finally done something right.

Getty ImagesRaiders general manager John Spytek (left) and coach Pete Carroll address the media Monday in Henderson, Nevada.

Warriors host NBA All-Star Game: All you need to know as the Bay Area welcomes basketball fans

The NBA’s most entertaining celebration is headed to the Bay Area.

The Golden State Warriors will roll out the red carpet at Chase Center for the NBA All-Star weekend, which runs Feb. 14-16.

It’s the first time the Dubs have hosted the festivities since 2000: “The game — the third iteration hosted by the Bay Area, joining Daly City’s Cow Palace in 1967 and the Oakland Arena in 2000 — will act as the culmination of a weekend of festivities that spans both sides of the Bay, a nod to the Warriors’ extensive history in Oakland, which they called home from 1971 to 2019 and where they won three of their championships,” according to a report from this news organization when the team was awarded the All-Star Game weekend.

Chase Center isn’t the only venue hosting the festivities. The Oakland Arena, Moscone Center and Pier 48 will also have events for fans.  Sure, there will be lots of basketball. But several big-name musical acts also will be in the region for the All-Star Weekend Concert Series.

We will have you covered ahead of the festivities, as well as during them — and even after they wrap up.

Here’s what to know about All-Star weekend:

Spotlight on the Bay Area: Why the NBA chose San Francisco — and Oakland — for the 2025 game.

Warriors star Steph Curry has been named as a starter.

24 All-Star players will be separated into three teams, plus much more.

The last dance?: Dieter Kurtenbach argues that NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco should be the league’s last.

All-Star Weekend Concert Series: Here’s who will take the stage.

From the NBA to Wine Country?: One musician will take the stage at two big Bay Area events this year.

Check back for more updates.

A ceremony to grant US citizenship celebrated immigration even as the debate around it swirls

By JOHN HANNA and NICK INGRAM

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Carlos Wriedt came to the U.S. from Mexico in his 40s with his wife to pursue their dream of starting a business and to build a better life for their daughter, then 10 months old.

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Wriedt had a green card proving he is a legal permanent resident, and ahead of last year’s election — in which President Donald Trump made illegal immigration a key issue — he wasn’t worried that he wouldn’t be able to renew. But he and his wife applied for citizenship anyway. Their daughter became a citizen in September.

After he and the other immigrants sang the concluding “home of the brave” in the National Anthem, took the oath renouncing foreign princes and potentates and pledged allegiance to the American flag, Wriedt said he still had goosebumps but that he also felt relief.

“Now, nobody can take that away from us unless we misbehave — but of course we won’t,” he said.

The U.S. naturalized more than 818,000 new citizens from October 2023 through September 2024, an average of about 68,000 a month, according to the federal government. In Topeka, the 30 new citizens came from 18 different nations, and the ceremony gave speakers a chance to stress their own immigrant roots, with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly noting that her family emigrated from Ireland.

But it also occurred against the backdrop of Trump’s promise of mass deportations of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, his suspension of refugee resettlements and his effort to end the constitutional promise of birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents.

“I’m disappointed at the climate and the rhetoric right now,” said Kansas state Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and United Church of Christ minister. “It promotes people with short fuses doing things they shouldn’t do.”

Yet Schlingensiepen was heartened by the ceremony and it brought back memories. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of his own naturalization as a 13-year-old immigrant from Germany. He has attended other ceremonies, and he stopped to watch Monday’s after coming across it during a break in legislative meetings.

The officials speaking at the ceremony congratulated the new citizens who had to fill out applications, undergo interviews, take a citizenship test and attest to their good character before they could be naturalized. The speakers also celebrated the diversity of the American population and described their adopted nation as a place of equity and inclusion.

“The dreams of immigrants have built in America and continue to inject new energy, new vitality and new strength into our country,” Kelly said.

Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Rachel Pickering noted that her mother’s parents came to the U.S. from Mexico about a century ago. She said later that they were fleeing a civil war and took a train to Chicago to find work before settling in Detroit.

She told the new citizens, “You are keeping the American dream alive.”

As Jerry Ugbo took the citizenship oath, his wife, Hannah, watched with their two children, 18-month-old Gideon and 6-month-old Nora. Gideon laughed with delight as his mother waved a small American flag then handed it to him. The flag ended up attached to the side of Nora’s carriage.

Jerry Ugbo came to Idaho from Nigeria in 2015 to study human biology. He and his family now live in Manhattan, Kansas, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Topeka. He is finishing up schooling to become a physician’s assistant and Hannah does major event planning.

The couple married in 2018, and Jerry Ugbo hadn’t thought much about becoming a U.S. citizen as he concentrated on his career. He described the U.S. as a place of “endless opportunity” after making friends and immersing himself in American culture.

With the debate over immigration swirling, Hannah Ugbo said she thinks it’s important for people to come to the U.S. legally but that the legal process has hurdles. It costs at least hundreds of dollars, and often immigrants hire lawyers to help them, especially if they struggle with English. Jerry and Hannah Ugbo, unable to afford a lawyer, had to sweat the details themselves.

With his oath taken, Jerry Ugbo and his family planned to celebrate, though the first order of business was a meal and, Hannah Ugbo said, to “let the kids play.”

Clipboard: Segura, Trosky look to play big roles for Oregon State baseball

Former Soledad High pitcher Eric Segura will look to add to his resume on the mound this spring for nationally-ranked Oregon State, with Carmel High grad Jabin Trosky backing him up in the infield.

A true freshman last spring for the baseball program, the 6-foot-2 Segura recorded the second most starts for Oregon State with 15, finishing with a 6-1 mark.

Segura helped the Beavers reach the NCAA Super Regionals, striking out 72 hitters in 69.3 innings, posting a 4.93 earned run average.

A Pac 12 honorable mention selection last year, Segura finished among the team leaders in five different pitching categories.

The Herald’s Baseball Player of the Year in 2022, Segura was a Cal-Hi All-State first team selection during his junior season at Soledad.

Trosky, who missed the 2022 season with an injury, returned last year to hit .287 in 40 games, ripping his first collegiate home run.

The redshirt junior infielder drove in 20 runs and scored 22. Splitting time at three different infield positions, Trosky sported a .968 fielding percentage.

Trosky earned all-county honors at Carmel, where he was a four-year starter.

Amaral set for sophomore season

Coming within a few points of claiming the team’s triple crown last spring as a freshman at the University of Notre Dame, Addison Amaral, a Notre Dame High grad, has enhanced expectations.

The 2023 Herald Female Athlete of the Year started all 50 games last year in the infield for the Fighting Irish, who open their season next week in a tournament in Florida.

Primarily a second baseman, Amaral tore up pitching, leading Notre Dame in home runs with 10, while driving in a team-high 53 runs – the first freshman to lead the team in RBI in 17 years.

The 19-year-old also led the Fighting Irish in doubles and slugging percentage, finishing second in hitting at .340.

Named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman team last season, Amaral was a second team All-ACC and second team NFCA All-Region selection.

Hitting primarily in the heart of the order for Notre Dame, Amaral led the team with 14 multiple-run games, compiling an eight-game hitting streak.

A four-year starting shortstop at Notre Dame in Salinas, Amaral was a member of The Herald’s All-County softball and volleyball teams.

She helped the Spirits to a Central Coast Section Division I softball title in 2023, and a spot in the Northern California Division II finals.

Martinez begins her final season

Coming off a season in which she set college career highs in batting average, hits, walks and starts, Natalia Martinez begins her senior softball season at Portland State.

The former Salinas High third baseman compiled a .385 on-base percentage last year after being hit by a pitch a career-high nine times.

A Big Sky Conference honorable mention selection, Martinez earned a spot on the Big Sky all-tournament team for the Vikings.

Martinez hit a collegiate career-high .279 last spring for Portland State, starting in 41 of the team’s 46 games. She walked 11 times and drove in 13 runs, with a home run.

In three seasons at Portland State, the right-hander has hit eight homers and driven in 44 runs, scoring 40, while compiling a .375 on-base percentage.

A four-year starter at Salinas, Martinez was the team’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.

Deniz looks to lower marks

Having spent the fall improving his endurance in cross-country, Esteban Deniz will look for a breakout this spring on the track at Western Colorado.

The former King City High and Hartnell College distance ace comes into his redshirt junior season with times of 4 minutes, 16.10 seconds in the mile and 14:09.45 in the 5,000 meters.

Last year Deniz was fifth at the Rocky Mountain Conference Championships in the 5,000, and sixth in the mile at the RMCC indoor championships.

Deniz was an All-America in cross country and track and field at Hartnell, winning a state 1,500-meter title in track in 2022.

During his senior season at King City in 2019, Deniz helped the cross-country program to a Central Coast Section Division IV title, leading them to a fifth-place state team finish.

Jim Tunney Scholar-Athlete Scholarship

Having started in 2010, the Jim Tunney Scholar-Athlete Award Endowment Fund will continue for student athletes at Monterey Peninsula College.

A former NFL referee, long-time MPC Trustee, educator and motivational speaker, Tunney died last month.

Along with Tunney’s family and friends, the annual scholarship foundation will continue to carry his legacy, supporting MPC student-athletes who transfer to four-year institutions.

To make a contribution in Tunney’s honor to the Jim Tunney Scholar-Athlete Award Endowment, contact Gina Bianchi at gbianchi@mpc.edu.

Coaches needed

Marina is looking for a varsity swim coach, and a JV boys volleyball coach. Go to jcisneros@mpusd.net

Seaside is looking for head coaches for varsity baseball, and boys and girls swimming. Contact athletic director Steven Vasquez at stvasquez.mpusd.k.12.ca.us

Alvarez is looking for coaches for flag football and girls tennis. Go to brian.vazquez@salinasuhsd.org

Salinas is looking for head coaches in boys volleyball and field hockey. Go to https://salinashscowboysathletics.com

Monterey is looking for an assistant baseball coach and lacrosse coaches. Contact cventimiglia@mpusd.net. Monterey is also looking for a head JV football coach. Email abesaw@mpusd.net

Palma is looking for a varsity swim coach for this spring. Contact bishop@palmaschool.org

Officials needed

Peninsula Sports Incorporate is looking for high school and middle school officials for all sports this season. Varsity officials are paid $100 a game.

There is an immediate need for officials and umpires in the spring for boys’ volleyball, baseball, softball and boys and girls’ lacrosse. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.

Scott Bessent confirmed as treasury secretary, giving him a key role in extending Trump’s tax cuts

By FATIMA HUSSEIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate confirmed billionaire investor Scott Bessent on Monday to serve as President Donald Trump’s treasury secretary, giving him the delicate balancing act of cutting taxes and curbing deficits while putting forward a plan on tariffs that doesn’t jeopardize growth.

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He cleared the Senate roll call with bipartisan support, in a 68 to 29 vote — with 16 Democrats voting in favor of the Republican nominee.

The South Carolina resident will be the first openly gay individual in the role, a historic first as Trump seeks novel ways to implement a policy agenda driven by both billionaire business leaders with concerns over regulations and a populist base that wants government leaders to fight for them.

He will serve as the nation’s 79th treasury secretary.

Bessent, a past supporter of Democrats who once worked for George Soros, has become an enthusiastic supporter of Trump.

He has said the U.S. faces economic calamity if Congress does not renew key provisions of Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that are set to expire Dec. 31, 2025. Negotiating the extension of those tax cuts will be one of his major responsibilities even as he has also pushed for 3% annual growth, significant trims to deficits and increasing domestic oil production by 3 million barrels a day.

Bessent cleared the Senate Finance committee on a 16-11 bipartisan vote. After Bessent was confirmed, Senate Finance Committee Chair Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Id.) said voting for Bessent was “one of the easiest votes we could ever take.”

However, he faced pushback from Democrats on unpaid tax liabilities.

Democrats say Bessent has engaged in tax avoidance by failing to pay nearly $1 million in Medicare taxes related to his limited partnership in his hedge fund. Bessent, meanwhile, takes issue with his tax liability to the IRS and is in litigation over the tax bill. He committed during his confirmation hearing that he would pay the tax bill if a court rules against him.

Other Democrats have voiced support for Bessent, including Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.

“While I disagree with many of his policy positions, particularly his support for extending tax cuts for the wealthy and President Trump’s tariff threats, I hope that he will focus the Treasury Department on bringing down costs for middle-class Americans,” Coons said in a statement, adding that he supports Bessent’s commitment to continue U.S. investment in international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Trump took his time before settling on Bessent as his nominee. He also mulled over billionaire investor John Paulson and Howard Lutnick, whom Trump tapped for commerce secretary.

The treasury secretary is responsible for serving as the president’s fiscal policy adviser and managing the public debt. He is also a member of the president’s National Economic Council.

Among his responsibilities will be investigating the feasibility of creating an ‘External Revenue Service’ — to collect tariff revenue from other nations. Trump announced the creation of the agency — which requires an act of Congress— on his social media site, Truth Social earlier this month.

Tariffs, with the threat of a potential 25% levy on all goods from allies like Canada and Mexico and 60% on goods from China, have become a benchmark of Trump’s economic agenda.

In addition, Bessent faces a mounting and record U.S. debt load. Before leaving office, former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned congressional leaders this month that Treasury would start taking “extraordinary measures,” or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling. And on Thursday, Treasury deployed new measures to stop the U.S. from breaching the debt ceiling.

With Trump’s return to the White House and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his outsider Cabinet choices are getting confirmed despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle.

In his testimony, Bessent committed to maintaining the IRS’ Direct File program — which allows taxpayers to file their returns directly to the IRS for free — at least for the 2025 tax season, which begins Jan. 27. Republican lawmakers say the program is a waste of money because free filing programs already exist, although they are not popular.

He also said during his confirmation hearing that the Federal Reserve should remain independent from the president’s influence and that U.S. sanctions on Russian oil should be more aggressive.

Moss Landing fire fallout: Concentrations of heavy-metal nanoparticles found nearby

MOSS LANDING — New testing found higher than usual toxic metal particles in the marsh soils of Elkhorn Slough estuary, contributing the rise to the recent fire at the Moss Landing Battery Plant.

Research scientists at San Jose State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories detected “unusually high” concentrations of heavy-metals microscopic particles in marsh soils, including nickel, cobalt and manganese. Levels were roughly 100 to 1,000 times higher than normal.

“These nanoparticles are used in cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, commonly referred to as NMC, clearly connecting the occurrence of the heavy metals to airborne cathode material from the Vistra battery fire,” according to a press release.

A research team led by Ivano Aiello, marine geology professor and department chair of Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, have been analyzing the marsh soil, including the composition of major and trace elements in the days following the Jan. 16 Vistra Plant fire. The researchers regularly conduct soil and water testing at the estuary and used their baseline measurements from before the fire to compare it with recent findings.

“Those three metals are toxic,” Aiello told the Mercury News. “They are hazardous to aquatic life. We want to understand how they will move and interact with the environment, whether they will make it through the food web and at what level — from microbes to sea otters.”

The County of Monterey Health Department responded to the findings Monday, saying they are conducting their own research by analyzing soil and water samples and working with the state Department of Public Health, the Environmental Protection Agency and state epidemiologists.

“We are grateful for and recognize the importance of the environmental sampling and testing conducted by Dr. Ivano Aiello’s team and commend their diligence in reporting their results,” the statement from the county read. “Public health and environmental safety remain our top priorities, and we are committed to providing transparent, science-based updates to the community as we assess the findings in collaboration with our state and federal partners.”

Health Department officials say they will post their findings online when they are complete.

Aiello said he took samples from roughly 100 sites. He has studied the area for more than 10 years. Analyzing the soils with an electron microscope at Moss Landing labs, he said the spiked levels of battery metals were found in the top few millimeters of soil, not lower levels. He said he took measurements on Jan. 21, 23 and 24 and compared them to soil samples taken at the same locations before the battery plant fire.

“The concentrations went from tens of parts per million to thousands of parts per million — 2 to 3 orders of magnitude,” he said. “It’s a lot.”

Aiello said it is important that testing continue for weeks, months and years on the site to track how the metals change and move. It rained this past weekend, he noted, and he planned additional testing to see the impacts.

High levels of heavy metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese “bioaccumulate,” or move up the food chain from plants and microbes into fish, and larger animals that eat the fish. At high levels they can cause neurological harm, reproductive damage and other problems. It isn’t clear yet, Aiello said, whether the levels have impacted the health of any fish or wildlife.

“We know these particles are toxic,” he said. “They are heavy metals. Whether they are posing a hazard right now, we don’t know. But we need to know. I live here. I work here. Let’s figure it out.”

State Assemblywoman Dawn Addis, supported by County Supervisor Glenn Church recently called for a full independent investigation into the cause of the fire and for the plants to remain offline until that investigation is complete.

Church, who also formed an ad-hoc committee to partner with neighboring counties, said it’s important to remember that some places have more concentrated deposits than others, “hot spots.”

“These (results) are very disturbing numbers,” Church said. “This is from some of the top environmental scientists in the world, and I believe them.

“The big thing is everyone needs to be careful, if you feel sick go see your doctor,” Church added. “We are in uncharted territory.”

The Herald’s Dave Kellogg and Paul Rogers from the Bay Area News Group contributed to this report. 

Experience premium audio with these top Samsung soundbars

Which Samsung soundbar is best?

As a worldwide electronics manufacturer, Samsung’s products are present in almost every home. That goes for its soundbars, too. Built to augment its line of high-quality 4K television sets, Samsung soundbars work great with other television brands as well as its own and, with Bluetooth capability, even connect to smartphones for music streaming.

Read this shopping guide to find the Samsung soundbar that’s just right for your entertainment setup. We’ve included our top recommendations, like the Samsung HW-Q910C Soundbar, which combines sleek design with top-notch audio output and controls.

What to know before you buy a Samsung soundbar

Speaker configuration needs to be taken into account when selecting a Samsung soundbar. Your needs are different if you’re looking to fill a large home-theater space versus a small apartment living room — satellite speakers and a dominating subwoofer may be needed to get that immersive experience in the larger space, while a good onboard arrangement of direct and upfiring speakers may be ideal for smaller environments.

Knowing the speaker format of soundbar models also helps in the purchasing decision. For example, a soundbar with 2.1 audio has two speakers and a subwoofer, while a soundbar with 3.0 audio has three onboard speakers but no subwoofer (indicated by the “0” in 3.0). Surround sound format is typically 5.1 audio — three speakers, two rear satellite speakers, and a subwoofer.

What to look for in a quality Samsung soundbar

A Samsung soundbar is similar in appearance to other soundbars on the market. Buyers can expect a long, rectangular soundbar cabinet that houses two or three speakers. An external subwoofer is offered with many soundbar models and provides deep, rich bass output. Two or more satellite speakers intended for rear-facing sound output may be included as well.

Each soundbar has a remote control that allows users to not only adjust volume but fine-tune the audio channels for the best mix of sound. Samsung’s Bluetooth-enabled soundbars may also work with Samsung TV remotes or even a remote-control app on a user’s smartphone.

How much you can expect to spend on a Samsung soundbar

For between $100 and $249, Samsung soundbars with 2.1 or 3.0 audio are an economical choice. Those wanting a more comprehensive setup will find options between $250 and $799, while sound mavens and those building the ultimate home theater will find feature-heavy soundbars between $800 and $1,500.

Samsung soundbar FAQThe Samsung soundbar that I bought doesn’t sound as good as it did in the showroom. Is something wrong with it?

A. Don’t panic. All soundbars need to be calibrated when they’re set up in a new space so that they provide optimum sound. Open the soundbar’s menu on your TV (or smartphone app, if that’s the option) and look for a built-in or auto calibration setting. Run that first. If that doesn’t do it, or the soundbar doesn’t have built-in calibration, manually calibrate each channel by listening to different settings at different points in the room.

Does a soundbar have to have a separate subwoofer?

A. No, a subwoofer isn’t a requirement — soundbars can put out compelling sound through the onboard speakers alone. If you’re looking for deep, gut-shaking bass though, a subwoofer is an excellent addition.

Which Samsung soundbar is best to buy?Top Samsung soundbar

Samsung HW-Q910C Soundbar

What you need to know: This wireless soundbar speaker set is perfect if you want to set up your own home theater system.

What you’ll love: It comes with everything you need to make a surround sound system, including two subwoofers and a rear speaker kit. It also comes with a wall mounting kit.

What you should consider: The setup takes a long time.

Top Samsung Soundbar for the money

SAMSUNG HW-C450 Soundbar

What you need to know: This midrange soundbar is really easy to use.

What you’ll love: It’s easy to set up and use because it’s wireless. It’s thin, so it fits on most TV stands easily. It comes with a soundbar, subwoofer, HDMI cable and remote.

What you should consider: Some people were unimpressed with the bass quality.

Worth checking out

What you need to know: If you’re looking for a simple, all-in-one speaker, this is the ideal choice.

What you’ll love: The single soundbar has everything you need inside it: two woofers, three tweeters and a central speaker. It’s compatible with Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual X sound.

What you should consider: The power cord is short, so you’ll have to install it closer to an outlet.

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

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

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Best sports water bottles for the gym, hiking and beyond

Which sports water bottles are best?

Sports water bottles have durable designs that withstand heavy use, whether you exercise indoors or out. They’re also equipped with a wealth of convenient features, ranging from insulation to rugged construction. The Iron Flask Sports Water Bottle, for example, has double-wall insulation and chills beverages for up to 24 hours, and it even keeps hot beverages warm for up to 12 hours.

This article was reviewed and approved by Judd NeSmith, the BestReviews Fitness Expert.

What to know before you buy a sports water bottleWhat is a sports water bottle?

Sports water bottles are equipped with handy features for athletes and active people. Many runners and cyclists, for example, choose designs with reflective details that boost their visibility to drivers. Bottles with wrist straps or loops that can be attached to backpacks or belts are excellent for camping, hiking or fishing. Insulated water bottles are popular for hot weather use because they keep drinks cold for hours longer than regular water bottles.

Top beverages for sports water bottles

Besides water, you can fill your bottle with other clear beverages, such as sports drinks or iced tea. Certain sports water bottles also hold hot beverages, particularly coffee or hot chocolate. However, sports water bottles aren’t great for thick or chunky drinks because they can clog straws or sipping mechanisms.

What to look for in a quality sports water bottleCapacity

Generally speaking, sports water bottles hold 12-64 ounces of liquid. The most common sizes, however, are 20-32 ounces.

When choosing the best bottle capacity, keep in mind that the higher its capacity, the larger the bottle will be. While it might seem obvious, the size may impact how convenient it is.

High-capacity water bottles often have stout bases that won’t fit inside cupholders. They’re also bulkier, heavier and harder to pack. Lower-capacity bottles that are tall and slender might be too thin to fit securely inside cupholders and will pop out of them during sharp turns or when you hit the brakes.

Bottle material

The most common sports water bottle materials are plastic, stainless steel, aluminum and glass.

Plastic: Plastic bottles are lightweight, flexible and affordable. With that said, plastic bottles have shorter lifespans than other materials.Stainless steel: Stainless steel is the most durable option, and unlike plastic, it won’t affect the taste of water or other beverages. However, stainless steel is heavy and expensive.Aluminum: Aluminum has a sleek, modern appearance, and it’s notably lighter than stainless steel. However, because it can react to certain liquids, most aluminum bottles have epoxy or resin protective linings.Glass: Glass is easy to clean and stain-resistant, but you won’t find too many sports water bottles made of glass. They’re prone to cracks and chips, and they’re rarely, if ever, designed with insulation.Opening design

Sports water bottles have several types of openings, including twist-off lids, flip-up straws and push spouts. Certain bottles have more than one opening for flexible drinking options, but the designs aren’t flawless. Many of these bottles are prone to leaking, including when they’re tightly closed. However, there are a growing number of multi-opening bottles that are leakproof with sealing mechanisms.

How much you can expect to spend on sports water bottle

Basic sports water bottles without insulation or sipping mechanisms cost $15 and below. Designs from $20-$30 include bottles with premium features such as leakproof seams, insulation and rugged construction. The $35-$60 range includes sports water bottles geared toward heavy-duty outdoor use.

Sports water bottle FAQHow do I clean a sports water bottle?

A. Unless otherwise specified, most sports water bottles can be cleaned with gentle dish soap. Certain bottles require hand washing, whereas others are dishwasher-safe. Sports water bottles with narrow openings can be cleaned with bottle brushes, such as those used for cleaning wine glasses or baby bottles.

Can I recycle old sports water bottles?

A. It depends. Plastic water bottles are marked on the bottom if they’re recyclable. Most curbside recycling programs won’t recycle stainless steel or aluminum water bottles, and instead, you’ll need to bring it to a scrap metal yard. Otherwise, you can repurpose the metal bottle as a vase, mini herb garden or watering can.

What’s the best sports water bottle to buy?Top sports water bottle

Iron Flask Sports Water Bottle

What you need to know: A rugged design, this stainless steel sports water bottle handles everyday and outdoor use.

What you’ll love: It offers three lid options, including a flip straw. The double-walled insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours, including in hot weather. The water bottle is available in six sizes from 14-64 ounces.

What you should consider: Some people said their water didn’t stay cold as long as expected.

Top sports water bottle for the money

Polar Bottle Sport Insulated Water Bottle

What you need to know: This triple-insulated water bottle is one of few affordable options that’s BPA-free.

What you’ll love: The water bottle has a flexible plastic body that lets you squeeze water in your mouth. With three insulation layers, it promises to keep drinks cold twice as long as older Polar Sport bottles. It also has a leakproof sports cap.

What you should consider: The bottle has nooks and crannies that accumulate dirt and mildew.

Worth checking out

Contigo Autospout Ashland Water Bottle

What you need to know: Contigo’s top-selling water bottle offers convenient one-handed drinking.

What you’ll love: The bottle has a slender body that fits in most vehicles and stroller cupholders. The protective spout prevents dirt and other particles from entering the bottle. It also has a built-in clip that attaches to carabiners or backpacks.

What you should consider: It’s not insulated, which means water eventually reaches room temperature or gets warm.

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

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Horoscopes Jan. 27, 2025: Patton Oswalt, when opportunity knocks, respond quickly

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Patton Oswalt, 56; Alan Cumming, 60; Bridget Fonda, 61; Cris Collinsworth, 66.

Happy Birthday: When opportunity knocks, respond quickly. Your ability to size up situations and take appropriate action will make a difference this year. Use your imagination and take whatever you do to the next level. Be the one to stand out for your ingenious response and fulfillment of your promises. It’s your year for personal growth and expanding your comfort zone. Make convenience and productivity a priority. Your numbers are 7, 12, 23, 26, 32, 38, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Refuse to let anger take over when action is necessary. Dig in and get your house in order, and you’ll feel good about your accomplishments. The convenience and comfort you encounter will encourage you to be more productive. Rebuff anyone who puts you in a compromising position. Don’t promise the impossible. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Consider your next move and show compassion for those struggling, and the outcome will be gratitude for who you are, what you do and the possibilities ahead of you. When one door closes, another will open. Refrain from hanging on to something you no longer need or use. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You may crave change, but without sufficient research, uncertainty will kick in. Money and emotions won’t mix well today. Point of purchase sales, gimmicks and pushy salespeople are off-limits. Learn from experience and focus on what you can accomplish that will help you get ahead. Physical activity will ease stress. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Leave nothing unfinished. Take pride in your work and express yourself creatively by incorporating a unique twist to ensure you stand out in a competitive situation. Apply for a position or take the initiative to start a side gig to bring in extra cash. Love and personal gain are favored. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Pay attention to what others are doing and position yourself accordingly. Sticking to those who are like-minded will help you achieve the most. Refrain from believing in someone trying to enforce a change; you need more time to consider. Trust your instincts and stick to what and who you know. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll win approval. Networking functions, cold calls and updating your qualifications are favored. Decline a partnership that lacks authenticity. Do your due diligence and ask tough questions. When in doubt, move forward alone. Use your energy for your gain, not someone else’s. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep your emotions undercover. Use your energy to explore and expand your interests. What you learn will uncover better options and keep you from associating with those looking only for what serves them best. Learn all you can, attend workshops and read reviews before making a move or spending money. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Get out, socialize and network, and you’ll dazzle those you encounter. Who you meet, what you learn and the information and potential changes you experience will grab your attention and encourage you to forge ahead. An event will lead to interesting encounters and new beginnings. Romance is favored. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): It’s one step forward and two steps back. Proceed with caution. Not everyone has your best interests at heart. Put your energy into tying up loose ends and using your skills, knowledge and experiences to advance. Say no to anyone trying to take advantage of you. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Live and learn. Be a good listener and observer. What you discover will help you put your talents to good use and bring about changes that encourage advancing your position or status. Exploring new outlets for your skills or turning a pastime you enjoy into a profitable endeavor looks promising. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Changing your money management will pay off. Market your skills to suit what’s trending, and you’ll increase your earning power. High energy, intelligent input and prompt business transactions will pay off. An expressive and vibrant vision will help you gain support. Personal gain, self-improvement and love are favored. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Refuse to let uncertainty cost you. Size up situations and act quickly to avoid missing an opportunity that can help you and those close to you. A social or networking event will be informative and offer insight into how you can contribute. Your efforts will pay off. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are forceful, creative and unique. You are responsive and adaptable.

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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Warriors’ Curry: Thumb no excuse for career-worst half vs. Lakers

Steph Curry has been dealing with a right thumb injury, but he says it wasn’t the reason for the worst shooting half of his career in the Warriors’ loss to the Lakers on Saturday night.

Curry went 0-for-8 after halftime in the Warriors’ 118-108 defeat, finishing with 13 points and nine assists. In total, he was 4-for-17 on the game and 2-for-9 from 3-point range.

He pointed to the first game after the injury — Jan. 2 against the 76ers — as a reason to believe he can score through the pain and the tape wrapping his thumb and wrist.

“It sucks but it’s not an excuse for anything,” Curry said. “You gotta play through it. I went 8-for-8 with it (against Philadelphia). It’s just something that’s been lingering to the point where it gets hit once in a while. It’s one of those things where it’s almost gone and then and then it gets knocked again. I’ll deal with it but it should bother me like it did tonight.”

The scoreless second half tied the worst shooting half of his career, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. Curry credited the Lakers’ defense for stifling him and the Warriors’ attack.

“I just got to play better,” Curry said postgame. “I had a couple of good looks, but they were trying to funnel us into a crowd, use their length, their size. It really bothered us, and any game I play like that, it’s going to be hard for us to win.”

In January, Curry is shooting 45.6 percent overall and 40.8% on 3s, both slightly up from his full-season marks.

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Curry, 36, is also managing tendinitis in both knees, which first appeared on the Warriors’ injury report in November and kept from playing back-to-back games until this week’s set at Sacramento and against the Bulls.

“It’s trending in the right direction,” Curry said of his knee pain. “It’s still something you got to stick with the maintenance and all that type of stuff.”

The Warriors have no game until Tuesday, but they’ll then play another back-to-back set against the Thunder and Jazz. They have three pairs of back-to-back games between now and the All-Star break. Curry may not get much time to rest the injury then, either, as he was on Thursday and the Warriors are hosting festivities.