Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 261

Judge rejects Trump’s bid to dismiss hush money conviction because of Supreme Court immunity ruling

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge Monday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to have his hush money conviction dismissed because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity. But the case’s overall future remains unclear.

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Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan’s decision eliminates one potential off-ramp from the case ahead of Trump’s return to office next month. His lawyers have raised other arguments for dismissal, however.

Prosecutors have said there should be some accommodation for his upcoming presidency, but they insist the conviction should stand.

A jury convicted Trump in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. Trump denies wrongdoing.

The allegations involved a scheme to hide the payout to Daniels during the final days of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign to keep her from publicizing — and keep voters from hearing — her claim of a sexual encounter with the married then-businessman years earlier. He says nothing sexual happened between them.

A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct.

Trump’s lawyers then cited the Supreme Court opinion to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made while he was in office.

In Monday’s ruling, Merchan denied the bulk of Trump’s claims that some of prosecutors’ evidence related to official acts and implicated immunity protections.

The judge said that even if he found that some evidence related to official conduct, he’d still find that prosecutors’ decision to use “these acts as evidence of the decidedly personal acts of falsifying business records poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch.”

Even if prosecutors had erroneously introduced evidence that could be challenged under an immunity claim, Merchan continued, “such error was harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt.”

Prosecutors had said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case.

Trump communications director Steven Cheung on Monday called Merchan’s decision a “direct violation of the Supreme Court’s decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence.”

“This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed,” Cheung said in a statement.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office, which prosecuted the case, declined to comment.

Trump takes office Jan. 20.

Clipboard: A handful of local athletes bowl bound

Four former county athletes will be in uniform for their respective college football programs over the next four weeks as the college bowl season heats up.

Among those suiting up is Logan Saldate, who is listed as a redshirt receiver for Notre Dame, which is facing Indiana on Dec. 21 in the first round of the college football playoffs.

The former Palma multi-sport standout, who broke the school record in the long jump in placing fourth at the state meet in 2023, will be wearing No. 19 for the Fighting Irish.

One of the better non-playoff bowl games will be the Alamo Bowl, where Carmel graduate Antonio Posadas and No. 23 Colorado face Stevenson alum Evan Johnson and No. 17 Brigham Young University.

Johnson has had a productive second season as a defensive back for BYU, with an interception, a pass breakup and 15 tackles this fall.

The Herald’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2022 and the county record holder in the 100 meters, Johnson excelled in four sports as a senior at Stevenson.

Posadas, whose senior season was limited to two games because of the pandemic, walked on and made Deion Sanders’ roster two years ago as a 6-foot-4 tight end.

There is also a chance that Carmel offensive tackle Jackson Lloyd will be in uniform for No. 11 Alabama, which faces Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa on Dec. 30.

The 6-foot-7, 290-pounder is graduating from Carmel early, will enroll at Alabama next semester and will be allowed to practice with the Crimson Tide.

Hunter, Byrne enter transfer portal 

Cal will not have two of its offensive weapons for its bowl game as J.T. Byrne and Nyziah Hunter have both entered the transfer portal.

Byrne, The Herald’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2021, is entering the portal for the second time in his college career, having spent his first two seasons at Oregon State.

A backup tight end, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound former Carmel High three-sport standout already has two offers on the table from two Division I programs for his final collegiate season.

Hunter led the Bears in touchdown catches this past fall in his first season on the field with five, finishing with 40 catches for 578 yards.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound redshirt freshman and Salinas graduate will have plenty of suitors for his services, as Hunter showed off his sprinter’s speed this past fall for Cal.

A state track and field meet participant as a junior in high school, Hunter is Salinas’ school record holder in the 100 meters.

Dale brothers season ends

UC Irvine won the Big West Conference in the regular season but didn’t get a berth in the eight-team NCAA water polo tournament. The Anteaters were upset in the Big West Tournament by Long Beach State.

Brothers Jasper and Wyley Dale from Stevenson School were key contributors to the nationally-ranked Anteaters 18-win season, combining for 27 goals and four assists.

The 6-foot-8, 250-pound Wyley Dale finished his sophomore season with 16 goals and one assist, while his 6-6 smaller brother Jasper added 11 goals and nine assists.

In three seasons at UC Irvine, Jasper has produced 33 goals and 22 assists, while Wyley has 27 goals and four assists in two years for the Anteaters.

A two-time Pacifc Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division Offensive Player of the Year at Stevenson, Wyley was a part of the USA Youth National Team in 2019 and 2023.

Having played four sports at Stevenson, Jasper was the Gabilan Division Most Valuable Player in 2021, earning a spot on the all-CIF team.

Montano earns Conference USA honors

Having revitalized his collegiate kicker career at New Mexico State, Abraham Montano was named to the Conference USA second team.

The former Alisal High soccer standout and Hartnell College kicker led the Aggies in points this past fall with 76, knocking down 18 of 23 field goal attempts.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound left-footed Montano was perfect inside 40 yards this year, and 5-of-8 from beyond 50 yards, with a school record and career-best 59-yard field goal.

Montano, who entered the transfer portal after three years at Fresno State, converted all 22 of his extra point attempts, with 29 of his 46 kickoffs going for touchbacks.

His leg strength is expected to warrant at least a tryout with an NFL team in the off-season, unless Montano signs in the spring with a United Football League team.

Owner of a school record 50-yard field goal at Hartnell College, Montano was a part of Alisal’s State Northern California Division III soccer title team in 2018.

Synchronized sensations

Areej Salah got the synchronized swimming season off to a solid start for the Cypress Swim Club, capturing a gold medal at the Artistic Swimming Figures Invitational in San Francisco.

Competing in the 10-under age class, Salah won the intermediate competition, with Daniel DeSalvo placing second and Abe Hedin taking third.

Eva Reichstadt placed seventh in the 11-12 intermediate age division, with Zach Hedin taking eighth. Charlotte Garvey was sixth in the 13-15 class, with Katie Doolittle finishing eighth.

Coaches needed

Marina is looking for a varsity boys volleyball coach, and a varsity baseball coach. Go to www.edjoin.org/MPUSD.

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

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

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 in the winter for boys’ and girls’ basketball, soccer and wrestling. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.

RFK Jr. meets with senators as questions swirl about Trump’s pick to lead health agency

By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK

Associated Press (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. swept onto Capitol Hill late Monday,, as the anti-vaccine health guru from the famous political family reintroduced himself to senators, this time as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the nation’s Health and Human Services Department.

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Kennedy’s first stop Monday was on potentially friendly terrain, to the offices of GOP senators allied with Trump, the start of a weeks-long process.

Ahead of the nominee’s visits, Trump said he’s a “big believer” in polio vaccines and sought to tamp down fears about Kennedy, saying he will be “much less radical” than people think.

The man known simply as RFK, Jr., is the latest in the Trump rival-turned-partner orbit, a former Democratic presidential hopeful now in line to run the world’s largest public health agency, with its whopping $1.7 trillion budget, and some of the U.S. most important public services.

HHS has a broad reach across the lives of Americans — inspecting the nation’s food, regulating medicines and overseeing research of diseases and cures. It provides health insurance for nearly half of the country — poor, disabled and older Americans, including via Medicare.

Richard Besser, CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called Kennedy “a truly dangerous” choice.

Besser, in an op-ed in U.S. News and World Report, said Kennedy, 70, stands out as a “single potential Cabinet member who could do the most damage to the American people’s lives.”

Ahead of Kennedy’s arrival he was given a word of advice from one important voice: outgoing Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, a childhood polio survivor, who cautioned the nominee against views opposing the vaccine.

“Anyone seeking the Senate’s consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts,” McConnell said recently.

The incoming GOP leader, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, said Kennedy will have to address questions about his views on the polio vaccine and other issues.

“Well I think he’ll have to address that,” Thune said. “We’ll find out.”

But hardline Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a House member who has no vote in the confirmation process, has been influential in supporting and amplifying Kennedy’s views on vaccines.

And GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said his mind is not made up. “I’m open. I’m not predisposed one way or the other,” Tillis said Monday evening.

Kennedy’s nomination will test the nation’s emerging political realignment, as Trump expands his base of supporters to include former Democratic voters shifting elsewhere. Kennedy’s views find favor but also also opposition from both sides of the political aisle.

Other Trump nominees are also expected back on Capitol Hill this week. The president-elect’s choice of Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, Tulsi Gabbard for Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Kash Patel for FBI director and others are all running into turbulence from wary senators.

With Republicans taking control of the Senate in the new year, Trump’s nominees have a pathway to confirmation. But with just a 53-47 majority, any nominee can only lose a handful of GOP supporters, in the face of Democratic opposition.

Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz and Stephen Groves contributed to this report

Thousands still without power in Monterey County

The first large storm of the rainy season left thousands without power, downed trees and caused road closures and some car accidents across the Central Coast over the weekend.

A Stevenson School van smashed by a fallen tree on the Pebble Beach campus. (Photo courtesy of Peter Funt)

More than 6,600 people were still without power in Monterey County as of Monday afternoon, after the storm caused major outages across several cities.

Unincorporated Monterey accounts for about half of the outages, while Seaside, Marina and Monterey make up a majority of the rest.  Outages have also been reported in Carmel, Pacific Grove and Salinas.

In Seaside, numerous trees fell over and other property was damaged. The major outage affected thousands of residents, who went without power most of Saturday and traffic signals were out for about half the city.

Monterey city officials reported that multiple power lines and trees were down near Casanova Oak Knoll and Deer Flats. One tree was knocked down on the North Fremont bike median and the entrance to Jacks Peak was closed due to high winds and trees blocking the roads.

Power lines damaged from a fallen tree are seen across Sylan Road in Monterey on Saturday. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

There was a flood watch for the Carmel Lagoon area, that ended Sunday at 4 a.m.

All lanes of the US-101 southbound in Salinas are open, but California Highway Patrol Monterey is reminding the public that crews are still out on the streets and rainy weather is expected to continue Monday and early next week.

“Highway and utility crews across the county are busy clearing debris left from this weekend’s storms,” CHP Monterey wrote on social media. “While many roads are now clear these workers are still out there working nonstop to keep the roads open and safe. Please slow down and move over when passing.”

Caltrans installs girders at Rocky Creek, reopens Highway 1 to Big Sur

BIG SUR – After Caltrans installed nine pre-cast concrete girders at the Rocky Creek slip-out repair site on Highway 1 during a 24-hour period over the weekend, the roadway has been reopened and access to Big Sur restored.

The girder installation required an extended closure of Highway 1 from Saturday night to Sunday night so that crews could use two heavy cranes on both ends of the project area to perform the tasks. The installation of the nine pre-cast concrete girders advances the construction of a viaduct to replace a section of the southbound lane lost due to a slip-out that occurred in March.

Rocky Creek is located 12 miles south of Carmel where the slip-out occurred just south of Rocky Creek Bridge on Highway 1 — post mile 60 — resulting in the undermining of the southbound lane. Emergency stabilization measures by Caltrans crews have been achieved and one-way, 24-7, signalized traffic control was established to allow traffic to flow freely south to businesses in Big Sur.

“In the immediate aftermath of the March 30 slip-out, crews worked for several weeks to stabilize the remaining portion of the southbound lane,” said Caltrans District 5 spokesman Kevin Drabinski in a previous report. “Once stabilized, crews begin to design the emergency repair which aims to restore the roadway to two full travel lanes. The design calls for the building of a viaduct, a feature that is relatively common throughout Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast. Viaducts are frequently employed to bridge distances where the slope might naturally fall away and support is required below the roadway.”

The emergency project continues with the construction of a viaduct to support the roadway and repairs to a concrete seawall at the base of the cliff.

Crews drilled and cast reinforced concrete columns to support the weight of the viaduct structure in advance of the installation of the girders. Drabinski said the design of the viaduct involves support from the two ends as well as two support columns in the middle which make for a three-span design.

Three girders were placed across three spans totaling nine concrete girders ranging from 45 to 65 feet in length that were installed during the 24-hour closure.

Prior to the girder installation, other construction-related tasks over the last several months included crews drilling holes, lowering rebar cages inside and pouring concrete to create the support columns, said Drabinski. The concrete girders will serve as the support structure for the southbound lane of the viaduct bridge deck.

“After the girders are installed, the schedule calls for the bridge deck to be paved,” said Drabinski previously. “At that point, traffic will switch over to the southbound lane through the project site, and the process of building the viaduct in the northbound lane will begin.”

The contractor for this project is Gordon N. Ball, Inc. of Alamo. The estimated price tag for the repair work at the Rocky Creek slip-out is $21 million.

Though Highway 1 to Big Sur is open, the coastal highway remains closed south of Big Sur.

Highway 1 remains closed at Regent’s Slide, 40 miles south of Carmel due to the Regent’s Slide — post mile 27.8 — which occurred March 9 and where top-down removal of slide material by crews began on April 30.

Challenging conditions associated with the extreme slope at the site and continued slide activity has extended its reopen date, however, the vast majority of the Big Sur coast remains accessible and open.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X/Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Gretchen’s table: Stir-fried cashew chicken is almost as easy as takeout

Gretchen McKay | (TNS) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Is there anything that hits the spot better on a busy school night or over-scheduled weekend than takeout Chinese food?

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Yet with a little planning and some modest knife skills, it can be almost as easy to make your favorite Chinese takeout dishes at home.

This saucy cashew chicken stir-fry is but one example. Both the marinade for the chicken and the garlicky sauce it’s dressed in take less than a minute to whip together, and it presents an opportunity to use up any celery you’ve forgotten about in the refrigerator crisper.

Even better, it stretches a pound of chicken breast into four servings — maybe more, if you add additional vegetables and pile it on top of a big bowl of rice — in a sizzling hot flash.

And no, you don’t need a wok to cook it. Any large, non-stick skillet can be used to stir fry so long as you make sure to cut your ingredients into small, bite-size pieces and don’t overcrowd the pan while cooking; you want the meat to sear and not steam.

As with any stir-fry, you’ll want to be sure to prep all of your ingredients ahead of time and have them lined up next to stove, since cooking will go very quickly. Your first step should be starting a pot of rice on the stove or in a rice cooker, as it takes 20 minutes to cook and you don’t want to leave your family waiting for delivery.

Cashew ChickenThis saucy, savory chicken cashew stir-fry is just like your favorite takeout dish, but made in a flash at home. (Gretchen McKay/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS)

PG tested

For marinade

2 tablespoons Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pound chicken breast or tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes

For sauce

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

1 heaping teaspoon garlic chili crisp

1 teaspoon sesame oil

For stir-fry

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1-inch knob fresh ginger, peeled and finely minced

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 cup dry-roasted, salted cashews

3 tablespoons chopped green onion

Cooked rice, for serving

Prepare marinade for chicken: In a medium bowl, stir together rice wine, water, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar and salt until cornstarch is dissolved.

Add chicken chunks and stir gently to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.

Prepare sauce: In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, rice wine, oyster sauce, chili crisp and sesame oil. Set aside while you prepare stir-fry.

Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat (a bead of water should dance around and then evaporate on contact).

Add oil and swirl to coat the base. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry until aromatic, about 30 seconds.

Add celery and chopped onion, and stir-fry until the onion starts to become translucent, about 1-2 minutes.

Add marinated chicken and stir-fry for about 2 minutes, until no longer pink on the outside but not yet cooked through.

Pour in sauce and stir to coat the chicken. Let sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken and allow the chicken to cook through.

Add cashews and chopped green onion and give it a quick stir to combine.

Transfer to a plate or bowl, and serve.

Serves 4.

— adapted from “Chinese Takeout Cookbook” by Kwoklyn Wan

©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

SF Giants: Willy Adames says his pitch to Corbin Burnes was “really positive”

Newly signed Giant Willy ​​Adames is already out on the recruiting trail in hopes of luring one of his former teammates to join him in San Francisco. 

The 29-year-old shortstop, who just signed a seven-year, $182 million contract last week, said in his introductory press conference that he would do his part in trying to recruit his former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes to the Giants and it sounds like he has followed through.

On KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” show Monday, Adames said he has contacted the free-agent pitcher in an effort to persuade him to join the team.

“I hope we can make that happen because that would be an incredible addition to the team. I think when you have a guy like Corbin on this team, that’s like a 99% (chance) that you’re winning that day,” Adames said. 

“That’s a guy that I love to play for, I love to play defense for him and he’s one of the most competitive guys that I ever played with. If we could add him to the team, obviously it would be an insane move but you know, we’re hoping and we’re doing our part in every department, so hopefully we can make it happen.”

As for how he felt about the recruitment pitch, Adames said, “It went really, really positive. I think that’s the only thing I can say right now, but it went really, really positive.”

Burnes, 30, is one of the best free agents on the market. The Saint Mary’s alum is still one of the game’s top pitchers as he has made four consecutive All-Star appearances and won the Cy Young in 2021.

He was traded from Milwaukee to the Baltimore Orioles in February, making 32 starts. He finished the year with 181 strikeouts and pitching to a 2.92 ERA while going 15-9. 

Adames and Burns were teammates for three seasons where they helped the Brewers win the NL Central and make it to the NLDS where they eventually fell to the eventual World Series champion Atlanta Braves. 

Adames said he is already getting acclimated with the Bay Area and felt the love from the fans last week when he was in town for his introduction.

“The way they treated me that week, they made me feel special and that, for me, is the best thing ever,” he said. “When you go somewhere that is going to be your home for the next seven and who knows if I just stay there for the rest of my life, the way that they showed me love, it was impressive and it was special for me and my family.”

Biden, Harris thank major Democratic donors and urge them to stay engaged after tough loss to Trump

By MORIAH BALINGIT, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday thanked deep-pocketed Democratic donors who raised record sums in last month’s election loss to President-elect Donald Trump and urged them not to lose hope and to remain politically engaged.

Biden and Harris, along with their spouses, in remarks at the Democratic National Committee holiday reception sought to buck up key donors who the Democratic Party needs to stay committed as it tries to pick up the pieces. Republicans scored a decisive victory taking the White House and Senate while maintaining control of the House in an election where donors of all political stripes spent about $4.7 billion.

“We all get knocked down. My dad would say when you get knocked down, you just got to get up,” Biden said. “The measure of a person or a party is how fast they get back up.”

Harris, who stepped in as the party’s presidential nominee after Biden ended his campaign in July following his disastrous debate performance, praised donors for putting their time — and checkbooks — into backing her and Democrats that they believed in.

Democrats, their allied super PACs and other groups raised about $2.9 billion, compared to about $1.8 billion for the Republicans. Harris noted that Democrats raised a whopping $700 million over just 700 events organized by the Democratic finance committee.

“You rallied, you opened your homes, you reached out to your friends and your family,” said Harris, who will soon begin weighing in earnest her own future and whether to make another White House run. “You put your personal capital — and by that I mean your relationships — at stake to talk with people because you care so deeply, and you connected with people and took the time to remind them of what is at stake and what was at stake.”

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While Biden acknowledged the sting that Democrats continue to feel about last month’s loss, he said they should take pride in what they accomplished.

The administration’s signature achievements include a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S., and a surge in federal environmental spending through the Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden signed into law in 2022 after it cleared Congress solely with Democratic votes.

“We could never have gotten as much done as we did without you,” Biden said. “You not only contributed to the campaign, but you did something, I think, even more important. You were willing to lend your names, your reputation, your character to the effort.”

Biden said that he intended to remain engaged with party politics once he leaves office on Jan. 20. He also predicted that he expected Harris would remain a central character in the party’s future.

“You’re not going anywhere kid. We aren’t letting you,” Biden said to Harris.

Horoscopes Dec. 16, 2024: Benjamin Bratt, refuse to give in or follow anyone putting pressure on you

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Hallee Hirsh, 37; Benjamin Bratt, 61; Sam Robards, 63; Billy Gibbons, 75.

Happy Birthday: Communicate, test theories and demonstrate restraint and genuine interest in what’s happening around you. Consider what’s trending and how you can adapt and turn what you know and do into something vibrant and lasting. Refuse to give in or follow anyone putting pressure on you. Do what satisfies your soul, and you’ll discover the path to happiness. Personal growth and gain are within reach if you follow your heart. Your numbers are 6, 15, 24, 29, 32, 38, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Discipline and hard work will pay dividends. Focus on home, family and turning what you have and can do into profits. Refuse to let emotions swell when your energy needs channeling to ensure you get your desired results. Approach a challenge with hope, and something good will transpire. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Gather the facts and assemble a plan that suits your needs. It’s better to take the road that’s in your best interest instead of trying to accommodate others at your expense. Speak from the heart; don’t take it personally if someone opposes you. Protect against injury and illness. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll have plenty to think about and some terrific ideas to tackle whatever you encounter today. Live in the moment and address every matter as it arises instead of shelving, obsessing and stressing yourself into panic mode. Assess problems and get back on course. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A unique approach to work-related matters will help you prepare for new beginnings or get on a path that leads to something that excites you. A passionate plea will help win favors and encourage you to dismiss what’s no longer working. Head in a direction that offers financial opportunity. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Pick up the pace and put your back into every move you make. Think less, do more; the result will make you feel good about your choices. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll discover that you have more in common with someone who can help you advance than you realize. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Consider your current situation and the changes that will ease stress and help you live your way. Reach out to those heading down a similar path who are willing to work alongside you to reach a lifestyle that suits your needs. Say no to bullies and do what soothes your soul. 4 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Get involved in events that offer insightful options. An open mind leads to food for thought and puts you on a course that helps you separate logic from impracticality. Take a critical look at your current lifestyle and adjust what’s necessary to ensure you look, feel and do your best. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take better care of yourself. Refuse to jeopardize your health by attending a risky event. Pay attention to what makes you happy and adjust your life to fulfill your needs. A unique lifestyle change that nourishes your soul will make a difference in how you flourish. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In the interest of all those you love, take a moment to consider what’s best for everyone, and make it your mission to adapt and make amends where necessary. It’s the time of the year to reflect, revise what’s not working and to bridge the gap when needed. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- Jan. 19): Make your feelings about someone or something clear. Honesty is the best policy if you want to reach your personal or professional goal. A change at home looks promising if you are fearless in doing things in an avant-garde manner. A little charm will go a long way. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Pull out all the stops and finish what you start. A high-energy approach to home, relationships and tidying up loose ends will put your mind at ease, giving way to an enjoyable end to a hectic year. Refuse to let what others do interfere with what’s important to you. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Stand alone if necessary. You must fulfill your needs if you want to be happy. A heartfelt refusal to follow someone down a path that doesn’t suit your needs or is excessive will ease stress. Observe, but don’t buy into someone else’s dream. Do what makes you happy. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are innovative, unique and demonstrative. You are contemplative and proactive.

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.

The Warriors have said they need to evolve. The Schroder trade is just that.

SAN FRANCISCO — Dennis Schroder isn’t really the Warriors’ type. At least not historically.

Schroder likes having the ball and running pick-and-rolls, where he punishes defenders who go under screens with his streaky jumper or zips past them to the rim. The Warriors will be his ninth team in 13 seasons, meaning he has worn out his welcome a time or two.

The Warriors are nevertheless ecstatic to acquire him, especially at a low-risk price. They know that at this point of their team-building arc, they can’t wait around for the perfect fit — stylistically, personality or otherwise. They know they need to evolve by bringing new dimensions to their pace-and-space, read-and-react, split-action and off-ball movement offense.

“Everything that we need, we feel like he can provide,” Steve Kerr said on Sunday.

The Warriors envision Schroder playing on and off the ball, with and without Steph Curry. He’ll have a convincing bid to join the starting lineup and to close games. He’ll fill the role De’Anthony Melton — who headed to Brooklyn in the trade — held before his season-ending injury.

Still, the Warriors probably wouldn’t have traded for Schroder three, five or 10 years ago; given Schroder’s career trajectory, they probably had chances to. But as Kerr and the Warriors have repeated this year, they need to adapt their style. Their slimmer margin for error requires it. When that’s the case, risks become necessary.

“I don’t think he was necessarily brought here to fit,” Draymond Green said. “We play a certain style of basketball that he does not really play. And I don’t think the goal is to get him to play the style of basketball we play. We need someone who does the things that he does. I’m looking forward to us adjusting to him.”

The league is evolving to the point that the best teams have multiple on-ball engines. The Celtics have Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard — all players capable of running pick-and-rolls effectively. The Mavericks, Golden State’s Sunday opponent, have Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Before the trade, the Warriors had just one reliable on-ball creator in Curry. Jonathan Kuminga has shown flashes, too, but not enough to prevent the team’s current 2-8 slide in which their late-game offense has gotten painfully stagnant in several losses.

In crunch time, teams have face-guarded Curry and anticipated Golden State’s pet actions. The counter, as the Warriors have shown at times, is to run pick-and-rolls to create an advantage, be it a mismatch, 4-on-3 or driving lane.

The Warriors run the fourth fewest pick-and-rolls per game and rank 23rd in efficiency on the play types. It’s just not a big part of their offensive approach.

Unless the team adjusts the philosophy that helped bring them four championships.

“It’s what we’ve been talking about all year: trying to cater to the strengths of what this team is,” Curry said. “There’s a lot of experimenting been going on with us, and there will be even more with Dennis in the sense of how he can shift the geometry on the offensive end.”

Schroder would be part of that change. Among ballhandlers who run at least five pick-and-rolls per game, Schroder ranks in the 73rd percentile in points per possession.

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“We’ve established through almost a third of the season that we’re a good defense,” Kerr said. “That shouldn’t change if we stay healthy. In fact, Dennis should add to that because he’s an excellent defender. Where we need help, frankly, is offense. Off-ball, pick-and-roll, we need help. Our last 10 games, we’re dead last in efficiency. Not just pick-and-roll efficiency, but overall offensive efficiency. I don’t care what I try to run, I just want to run something that’s efficient.”

Kerr has always cared about what the Warriors run. When he arrived as a first-time head coach, he turned an isolation-heavy team into one of the most selfless offensive systems ever. The Warriors went from last in the league in passes per game to ninth in Kerr’s inaugural season.

Although Schroder’s averaging a career-best 6.6 assists per game, he can be somewhat of a ball-stopper. He has eight screen assists on the season — same as Jordan Poole — another data point that suggests he won’t be a natural fit in the Warriors’ movement system.

“We have to adjust to him because he’s bringing something that this team needs,” Green said. “To just make him fall in line with what we do, we’d be wasting our time with even bringing him here. Because we need someone to do what we necessarily don’t. I think that’s what he’ll be for us.”

Schroder’s career 24.6 usage rate would rank third on the current Warriors team, behind only Curry and Jonathan Kuminga. He’s best when he has the ball and is making decisions, and the Warriors are poised to put the rock in his hands.

Even if that occasionally looks different than Kerr’s bucolic ideal of offense.

“I think it’ll be seamless, actually,” Kerr said. “Because we actually need a pick-and-roll player right now. In our last 10 games, our pick-and-roll efficiency is dead last in the league. Teams are loading up on Steph. Can’t ask him to run every pick-and-roll. And Dennis is a pick-and-roll player.”