Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 265

LB Campbell quits on 49ers during loss to Rams

De’Vondre Campbell did not want to play football on Thursday night, so he told 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan how he felt, then left Levi’s Stadium.

Shanahan was asked in his postgame media session why Campbell went to the locker room in the third quarter of the 49ers’ 12-6 loss to the Rams.

“Yeah, he said he didn’t want to play today,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan told reporters that he asked Campbell if he wanted to go into the game in the third quarter to spell returning starter Dre Greenlaw, and Campbell declined without giving a reason.

Campbell was not in the locker room postgame when reporters were allowed in to speak to players.

Shanahan said he did not know immediately whether the team would release Campbell, a 31-year-old former All-Pro who signed with the 49ers in March after being released by Green Bay.

San Francisco 49ers’ De’Vondre Campbell Sr. (59) places a towel on his head before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

Cornerback Charvarius Ward said Campbell shouldn’t have dressed for the game if he wasn’t ready to play.

“He definitely hurt the team because Dee (Winters) went down and we needed a linebacker,” Ward said. “I think (Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles) was banged up too, so for him to do that, that’s some selfish stuff to me to do that. He’s probably going to get cut soon, so it is what it is with that.”

Tight end and captain George Kittle expressed faith in his teammates’ drive to play despite Campbell’s decision.

“I think anyone in this building that got asked to go in, I would say 100% of everybody would die to get on that football field,” tight end and captain George Kittle said. “People are going through random things off the field. I can’t speak on that. … It’s hard to win football games when someone doesn’t want to play football, especially when you’re suited up. That kind of puts you down, especially when you’re down two linebackers.”

Team captains Fred Warner and Nick Bosa declined to comment about Campbell quitting when asked postgame.

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Campbell has been the subject of media scrutiny for his play filling in for the speedy, hard-hitting Greenlaw, who missed the first 13 games of this season after tearing his Achilles in the Super Bowl. He has 79 tackles, 44 solo this season.

Shanahan said he was not concerned about losing buy-in from other players after Campbell quit.

“We haven’t lost anybody,” Shanahan said. “That’s somebody who doesn’t want to play football, it’s pretty simple.”

Dieter Kurtenbach contributed to this report.

49ers Studs and Duds: The Niners’ offense melts in the rain in hope-ending loss to Rams

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers came into this season with unjustified bravado and confidence.

They exited with a whimper, failing to score a touchdown and falling to 1-4 in the division with a season-ending 12-6 loss to the Rams on Thursday Night Football.

There’s no need to worry about playoff possibilities anymore. At 6-8 on the season, the Niners are done.

And they have no one to blame but themselves.

STUDS

Dre Greenlaw • LB

Playing his first game in nine months, Greenlaw wasted no time in making his presence known. He was everywhere, registering ten tackles in the first half and shutting down the Rams defense almost singlehandedly. When he left the game, the Rams relentlessly attacked his backup, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles. (Who was playing over De’Vondre Campbell and the injured Dee Winters.)

Fred Warner • LB

His finest game since he broke a bone in his ankle against New England in Week 4. Warner was a menace in both the run game and pass coverage, totaling 13 tackles Thursday. He held the defense together for a stretch with Greenlaw out of the contest. Together, they were spectacular.

George Kittle • TE

Another strong game for the Niners’ true No. 1 receiver, with four catches for 61 yards.

Talanoa Hufanga against the runThe Niners’ veteran safety provided serious thump and steady run fits to help San Francisco’s defense keep the Rams out of the end zone in this game.

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Deebo Samuel • WR

The 49ers made Samuel the focus of the offense for this game. He was going to get the ball.

He did nothing with it.

Samuel had five touches for 19 yards in the first half, with a false start and a tackle of running back Isaac Guerendo when he failed to come in motion.

That was the totality of his output.

Oh, and he also dropped a touchdown in the second half.

(Credit where it is due: he did have a nice kick return in the final minute.)

Can’t wait to see what he tweets after this one.

Aaron Banks • LG

Who would have thought going from Ben Bartch to Banks — the starter all year — would be such a downgrade? Banks was repeatedly beaten, and without Trent Williams covering for him at the left tackle, the Niners’ run game couldn’t go left.

Talanoa Hufanga against the pass

Attacked repeatedly in the second half by Rams offensive coordinator and head coach Sean McVay, including on two critical plays that resulted in L.A. field goals.

Brock Purdy • QB

Didn’t this guy go to Iowa State? I was unaware they had such great weather in Ames. Clearly that’s a paradise, because Purdy’s performances fall apart when the weather is rough. It’s too consistent of a trend to ignore.

Was the Niners’ quarterback helped by receivers who couldn’t separate against man-to-man coverage? No.

Did the Niners’ quarterback fail to make routine throws and commit a critical fourth-quarter blunder to take away the Niners’ best scoring chance of the fourth quarter?

Absolutely.

Purdy completed only 14 of 31 pass attempts for a measly 142 yards. Top-tier quarterbacks must elevate their teammates and play big in the biggest moments. That’s what Matt Stafford did after fumbling through the start of the game. Purdy did the opposite.

Kyle Shanahan • HC

The Rams, like every team that has a competent defensive coordinator this season, provided the Niners with a steady diet of man-to-man defense Thursday, going against their tendencies in all but one game this season (Week 3 vs. San Francisco).

Despite constantly seeing that defense this season, Shanahan looked downright befuddled against it. He tried two tight ends against a five-man Rams front. That failed. He tried two tight ends and a fullback. That was a little better, but the Niners couldn’t pass the ball.

When Shanahan finally made Ricky Pearsall (the team’s one man-to-man-beating receiver) the first read and spread his offense out, the Niners moved the ball. It was too little, too late, and Purdy made a colossal error, throwing an interception into triple coverage when the Niners were on the Rams’ 34-yard line. The Niners only had 20 seconds left in the game when they next had the ball.

Brian Schneider • STC

The Niners didn’t do anything egregious on special teams — a welcome change — but it’s not a good look when your punt team is called for an illegal formation twice in the same game. That seems like bad coordination to me.

 

Instant analysis of 49ers’ 12-6 loss to Rams as playoff hopes essentially vanish

SANTA CLARA – If the 49ers were bound to vanish from playoff contention by mid-December, it only made sense for them to blow another NFC West game in the fourth quarter.

This time the 49ers had only a 6-3 lead to protect, and, in the end, they walked off their soggy field Thursday night with a 12-6 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams.

Along the way, one 49ers stunningly opted out of the game: Ninth-year veteran De’Vondre Campbell refused to replace injured linebacker Dre Greenlaw in the third quarter, at which point the Rams were seizing momentum.

That unexplained betrayal left teammates seething, even more so than any chatter about their playoff hopes essentially expiring. Officially, the reigning NFC champs are not eliminated. But, with a 6-8 record overall and a 1-4 mark in division games, the 49ers’ playoff chances are less than 1 percent, according to the New York Times’ simulator.

Thursday night’s turning point wasn’t Joshua Karty’s third field goal of the night that gave the Rams (8-6) their first lead with 9:29 remaining.

Rather, take your pick of the 49ers’ turn for the worse: Brock Purdy’s fourth-quarter pass that got intercepted at the goal line, or Dre Greenlaw’s third-quarter exit with a left-knee issue that ended his sensational season debut 10 months after an Achilles tear in the Super Bowl.

Afterward, the Greenlaw exit took on a bigger light when coach Kyle Shanahan revealed Campbell refused to enter in the third quarter, when Greenlaw’s left knee felt awkward amid his comeback from an Achilles tear 10 months ago in the Super Bowl . Shanahan obviously expressed dismay over Campbell “quitting,” and several players also were in dismay, not to mention how they were shorthanded with Dee Winters (groin) also hurt earlier in the game.

Tight end George Kittle said he wasn’t aware of Campbell’s status until afterward, adding: “I wish I heard about it on the field. I didn’t. Now is that the reason we lost? Absolutely not. It’s hard to win football games when someone does not want to suit up.”

Disgruntled 49ers’ fans are sure to point to Deebo Samuel, who drew boos upon a third-quarter drop that could have resulted in the game’s only touchdown. “I catch that ball, there’s nothing there but the end zone,” Samuel said. “At the end of the day, I just have to catch the rock.”

That drop came midway through the third quarter, forcing the 49ers to settle for Jake Moody’s 47-yard field goal and a 6-3 lead. Samuel, upon that drop, grabbed his head in disgust, fans booed, and he kept running his crossing route all the way to the sideline, where he stripped off his helmet and took a seat on the bench.

Samuel’s best move of the night came on the Rams’ final kickoff, which he returned 41 yards and drew a penalty on the Rams’ horse-collar tackle. With 11 seconds remaining, the 49ers were at midfield, needing a miraculous touchdown. Instead, Purdy uncorked a final incompletion (14-of-31, 142 yards) and then got sacked as time expired.

Purdy’s 30th pass of the night was the interception, forced toward Jennings while Ricky Pearsall broke open. The Rams responded with a 5-minute march before Karty’s fourth and final field goal with 18 seconds remaining.

“I had a lot of plays left I could have made for our team,” Purdy said. “The defense and special teams played so good. I feel I failed the team. I could have been better and put up more points.”

Kittle said of Purdy’s take: “He’s a selfless person. Does not have an ego. He’s a fantastic leader and playmaker. I don’t want him to wear that on his shoulder. But when you’re the quarterback of the 49ers, there’s always a spotlight on you, it’s automatic. I love him for doing that and taking the blame, but it’s not on him.

Once Karty’s 27-yarder put the 49ers behind 9-6, they responded with gritty work to reach Moody’s range for a potential third field goal from him, too. Then came the 49ers’ biggest slip up on what began as a very rainy night. On second-and-10 from the Rams’ 33-yard line, Purdy got intercepted at the goal line on a second-and-10 floater to a double-covered Jauan Jennings down the right sideline, with Darius Williams making the interception for the game’s first turnover with 5:14 remaining.

Purdy said rather than be aggressive, he should have checked down to a shorter pass, and “just got to learn from it.”

That spoiled a drive highlighted by completions to Pearsall (16 yards) and George Kittle (9 yards), as well as a 10-yard run by Isaac Guerendo to that 33-yard line. Three snaps before the interception, Purdy underthrew an open Pearsall on a 40-yard shot.

“We had opportunities in the pass game that could have led to 14 points. We didn’t make those,” Shanahan said, alluding to that shot to Pearsall, and Samuel’s third-quarter drop.

The 49ers’ defense certainly lost some luster when Greenlaw exited to the bench; Shanahan said Greenlaw did not re-tear his left Achilles but had trouble loosening it up after halftime. He finished with eight tackles, six before halftime.

Said Greenlaw: “The knee felt real weird so i just wanted to protect myself. It got a little tight. I had to use precaution. The Achilles is good.”

Greenlaw isn’t ruling himself out of an encore in the 49ers’ next game. Unable to successfully build off Sunday’s 38-13 home win over Chicago, the 49ers (6-8) now trudge back to the East Coast for the third time in seven weeks, with the Miami Dolphins hosting them on Dec. 22 (4:25 p.m. ET). The Dolphins (6-7) first play Sunday at the Houston Texans (8-5).

“If I was healthy, I’d play another game tomorrow. I’m sore, played a lot of plays. It’s expected,” Greenlaw said. “Knee is sore. Same side of surgery so everything is probably tighter. We have 10 days to next game to get range of motion and confidence back in it.”

Muddled in a 6-6 tie, the Rams broke through for the game’s longest play: a 51-yard connection from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nuakua (past Charvarius Ward) at the 49ers’ 16-yard line. Back-to-back run stops by safety Tashaun Gipson set the stage for Fred Warner’s best play in months, that being his stop of a Kyren Williams catch for no gain on 3rd-and-2 catch at the 8-yard line.

The 49ers took a 6-3 lead into the fourth quarter, but was far from the bigger advantages they blew in notorious losses to the Rams: they led 24-14 in a Week 3 defeat (27-24) at SoFi Stadium, and they owned a 17-7 lead in the 2021 season’s NFC Championship Game (20-17).

Said Fred Warner: “It was the story of the year: not doing enough to win games, not playing complementary, just coming up too short.”

The 49ers scored on their first possession of each half, doing so on Moody field goals of 53 and 47 yards.

Samuel produced just 19 yards on the night: 16 yards by catching 3-of-7 targets, and the other three yards coming on two carries. He had just 15 yards on five touches before halftime, after griping on social media Monday about his self-perceived lack of opportunities. He also had a false-start penalty, and he unofficially made a tackle when he collided with Isaac Guerendo in the backfield.

Kittle consoled Samuel postgame, later telling the media he’s never seen Samuel drop a pass like that before, it being an open-field disaster. Samuel entered with a team-high five drops this season, plus two this game.

The 49ers grabbed a 3-0 lead via Moody’s 53-yard field goal on their second series, which opened with a 33-yard reception by Kittle. The drive stalled when Samuel was stopped for a 2-yard gain on third-and-6, after earlier colliding on a backfield-motion play with Guerendo to halt his 1-yard run.

The Rams tied it at 3 with 1:05 until the halftime show (corgi races). Karty made a 48-yard field goal to bail out the Rams’ first-half offense in which Stafford completed just 4-of-12 passes for 23 yards, with running back Williams totaling 44 yards on 14 carries.

Guerendo, making an encore start and playing through Sunday’s foot sprain, had just 17 yards on eight carries in the first half. He finished with 57 yards on 16 carries, plus 18 yards on four catches.

The 49ers’ starting defense welcomed back not only Greenlaw but also defensive end Nick Bosa, who missed the previous three games with an oblique injury. Safety Talanoa Hufanga, two games into his return from a two-month break, made an early impact against the run. By the fourth quarter, Ji’Ayir Brown (groin) was out and Tashaun Gipson returned to pair with Hufanga like the previous two seasons.

“It was the story of the year, not doing enough to win games, not playing complementary, just coming up too short,” Warner said.

Warner shared that Hufanga addressed the team postgame and insisted they follow his lead of playing all-out to the very end, since he’s battled back from injuries to play in four games this season.

“That’s what the message is now and we’ll find out who wants to be a Niner,” Bosa said.

High School football: Emrey out as Rancho San Juan coach

SALINAS — With administration citing a desire to go in a different direction, Troy Emrey was relieved of his duties Thursday as the Rancho San Juan High head football coach.

Emrey, who is a physical education teacher at Rancho San Juan, has been the school’s only varsity head football coach, taking the job in 2019 when the campus started with just freshmen and sophomores.

“It caught me by surprise,” said Emrey, whose Trailblazers went 0-10 this past fall in the Mission Division South. “I’m still processing it. It just happened.”

Emrey was told of the school’s decision by assistant principal Sky Becker just before school was ending on Thursday, leaving him no time to talk with his players before the decision was announced.

“I wish I could have done more for these kids to make them more successful,” Emrey said. “I guess I did not do a good enough job with that. Hopefully I was able to make a small impact in their life’s, because I know they did for my family.”

The Trailblazers went through massive growing pains last fall, as the offense failed to produce a point in eight games, going winless for the first time since the inception of the program over a full season.

Emrey, who serves on the Central Coast Section Coaches Committee, did not have a lot of words after being informed the school’s decision.

“I just said ‘thank you’ and walked away,” Emrey said. “I did not feel like I needed to say anything. I didn’t want to have anything inappropriate happen. I was just taking inventory of our equipment yesterday.”

Having taken the job in 2019 after being an assistant coach at Monterey, the Trailblazers fielded just a junior varsity program in school’s first season. The pandemic in 2020 limited them to three spring games against Alvarez, North Salinas and Alisal.

Still playing with no seniors and inactive for basically 12 months because the pandemic, Rancho San Juan was outscored 168-0 and failed to produce a first down.

Yet, the Trailblazers were still thrown into the Cypress Division in their first full season instead of the Santa Lucia Division, where they went 3-7 in 2021.

The following season Rancho San Juan exceeded expectations behind tailback Peyton Hatten, going 8-2 overall in 2022 and just missing the playoffs — perhaps creating unrealistic expectations going forward.

Without a 225-pound running back in the backfield in 2023, Rancho San Juan struggled to a 2-8 mark. This year the roster had just 14 players with varsity experience.

“I had communicated to them (administration) before the year started that this year was going to be rough,” Emrey said. “I knew there would be a steep learning curve, and it would be a tough season. The record won’t indicate it. But we got better.”

Rancho San Juan — who has suffered 16 consecutive losses dating back to 2023 — is expected to be dropped to the Santa Lucia Division next fall.

A glimpse of the Trailblazers future was showcased in their season finale when junior quarterback Cecil Short tossed a touchdown pass as the season was expiring.

“I have no idea what is next for me,” said Emrey, who was 13-27 in four full seasons at Rancho. “I will enjoy the holidays with my wife and kids.”

Emrey, who has had assistant coaching stints at Monterey and Palma since coming to the area, does want to get back into coaching sooner than later.

“I do not know if I need to be a head coach right now,” Emrey said. “But I want to coach football again. I would like to stay involved in the sport.”

One candidate that could emerge is former Gonzales head football coach Art Berlanga, who is returning to Monterey County after two years in Colorado, having led Forge Christian in Arvada to a state finals appearance this past fall.

49ers updates: Niners face Rams in rainy Thursday Night Football showdown

The 49ers are still alive for the NFL playoffs, even if their odds are long.

They play the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night with a chance to improve those odds by adding a divisional win and taking an NFC West foe down a peg.

They’ll have to overcome a little internal hiccup to do so after team captain Deebo Samuel tweeted-and-deleted a message Monday about not getting the ball enough, one day after the 49ers blew out the Bears. He admitted Tuesday to some frustration after recording only two catches and five carries in the win.

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The Niners may have Dre Greenlaw back at linebacker after he tore his Achilles in last season’s Super Bowl. He and defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique) were listed as questionable for the game as of Wednesday’s injury update. Left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is out for a fourth consecutive game. Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo was questionable with an ankle injury suffered in the win over Chicago as he started that game in place of Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle), both of whom are on injured reserve.

Entering Thursday, the 49ers (6-7) are 11th in the NFC, with the Rams (7-6) three spots ahead at No. 8 in the seven-team playoff picture. Both teams are chasing the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) for the NFC West crown.

Follow along below for updates on the game…

Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn’t install more automated systems

By JOSH BOAK

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers.

Related ArticlesNational Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump extends unprecedented invites to China’s Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump National Politics | What Americans think about Hegseth, Gabbard and key Trump Cabinet picks AP-NORC poll The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president.

“I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.”

The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies.

At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers.

The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.”

“To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump.

In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas.

The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk.

Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal.

There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports.

Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.”

“For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”

King tides are back and what they’re telling us

MONTEREY >> King tides return this weekend and with them a reminder of rising sea levels.

“As sea level rises, the king tides will get higher and the potential damage that extreme high tides cause will be greater,” said Annie Kohut Frankel, grants and education manager at the California Coastal Commission. “Soon the places we love so much – the beaches, trails and coastal communities will be underwater or flooded at least twice a year.”

When the earth, the moon and the sun all align in a straight line, there are higher tides due to the combined gravitational pulls of the moon and the sun. The moon orbits the earth in an ellipse, and so does the earth around the sun. Ellipses are not quite round, tending to be more oval-shaped, causing varying distances from the center to the diameter. Twice a year, when the earth is closest to the sun, while the moon is also closest to the earth, we get the highest high tide and also the lowest low tides. These are called king tides.

King tides are often 1 to 2 feet higher than average tides. But global warming, extreme weather and rising sea levels have recently led to a greater public concern about king tides.

King Tides crashed onto Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz in 2021. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel file)

Higher temperatures, extreme weather conditions and ice melting will all contribute to higher and higher tides in the following decades. “The king tides give us a very visceral way to understand what the future may look like,” Frankel said.

She is part of the California King Tides project, an initiative by the California Coastal Commission aimed at raising awareness about king tides and their future implications. Residents of coastal California come together during king tide days to not only experience the magnitude of these tides in real time but to capture these tides on their cameras. These pictures are collected by the King Tides project, which creates a record of changes to the coast and estuaries through a visual map. “It is an opportunity to encourage people to start thinking about climate change and what we can do to reduce the amount of sea level rise that we see,” said Frankel.

In the past decade, there has been an increased attention to king tides by local communities across California. Field trips, trail walks, beach events and even marsh painting sessions have become popular methods for people to engage, learn and experience the king tides. Several local organizations have come together under the California King Tides project. One of them is The Exploratorium, a popular San Francisco museum of science, arts and human perception that informs the public about physics, biology and more recently, climate change and rising sea levels.

People are increasingly becoming aware of climate change and rising sea levels, said Emma Greenbaum, project director for climate and landscapes at the Exploratorium. “There’s a lot of vulnerability to people’s homes and businesses from rising sea levels around the Bay Area,” she said. “This is causing people to get involved and be a part of making decisions that will shape their lives in the coming decades.”

The Exploratorium stands on Piers 15 and 17 on San Francisco’s waterfront, providing a unique location for public engagement and education on rising sea levels. Just last month during the last king tides, 100 students from San Francisco Unified School District had come together at the Exploratorium to learn of rising sea levels due to climate change.

“Climate change is causing more storm surges that might coincide with king tides and the flooding could be much worse, much sooner,” Greenbaum said. Although the drastic effects of sea level rise on king tides is still a distant event, Greenbaum noted the need to plan early: “We cannot put this on the backburner; we need to plan the adaptations now rather than later when it will be too little, too late.”

There are scientists, however, who believe differently.

“The word ‘king’ designates something really big and powerful which I think is confusing,” said Gary Griggs, distinguished professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, “People expect something like a tsunami, but king tides are just a few inches higher than a normal high tide.”

An expert on coastal erosion and sea-level rise, Griggs spoke about the predicted tide gauge of the Friday to Sunday king tides – 6.7 feet on Friday, 6.9 feet on Saturday and 6.8 feet on Sunday. “These are as high as they get, except if it’s an El Niño year, but they are not that impressive.”

However, he elaborated on the future of ocean tides, based on two categories of sea level rise: short-term and long-term. Short-term sea level rise is caused by extreme weather events, which when coincided with king tides, causes major flooding due to higher tides and larger waves. Griggs mentioned the floods on Westcliff on Jan.  5 that wiped out trails and washed down to Capitola and Del Mar.

“The tides around Monterey on that day were about a foot higher than predicted,” he said.

In case of long-term sea level rise, the effects will not be apparent until 2050, he said. “The sea level may rise by a foot, and then by 2100, things become uncertain because a lot of it will depend on how much the planet has heated by that point due to greenhouse gases.”

In the long run, Griggs firmly believes there is nothing we can do to hold back the ocean. “There isn’t a seawall big enough that can hold back an ocean.”

He offered “managed retreat” as a more realistic solution, to pull back communities near the coast more inland. It is a difficult solution however, as people rarely want to uproot their homes, work and lives because of a threat that’s roughly 30 years off.

But he emphasized the need to act now rather than later. “King tides are not a real problem, but the high tides in the future are going to be a real problem,” he urged, “For each community, we need to figure out how we are going to respond, rather than react at the last minute.”

Trump will be honored as Time’s Person of the Year and ring the New York Stock Exchange bell

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and DAVID BAUDER, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — About six months ago, Donald Trump was sitting in a courtroom in lower Manhattan listening to a jury make him the first former president convicted of a crime.

On Thursday, he will ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange just blocks from that courthouse and be recognized by Time magazine as its person of the year.

The honors for the businessman-turned-politician represent the latest chapter in his love-hate relationship with New York. They’re also a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November.

Trump is expected to be on Wall Street to mark the ceremonial start of the day’s trading, according to four people with knowledge of his plans. He will also be announced Thursday as Time’s 2024 Person of the Year, according to a person familiar with the selection. The people who confirmed the NYSE appearance and Time award were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Trump was also Time’s Person of the Year in 2016, when he was first elected to the White House. He was listed as a finalist for this year’s award alongside notables including Vice President Kamala Harris, X owner Elon Musk, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate, the Princess of Wales.

Time declined to confirm the selection of Trump before the announcement. Last year, the company’s CEO Jessica Sibley rang the NYSE opening bell to unveil the magazine’s 2023 Person of the Year: Taylor Swift.

The NYSE regularly invites celebrities and business leaders to participate in the 9:30 a.m. ceremonial opening trading. Thursday will be Trump’s first time doing the honors, which have become a marker of culture and politics.

During Trump’s first term, his wife, Melania Trump, rang the bell to promote her “Be Best” initiative on children’s well-being.

Donald Trump’s trip to New York from his adopted home of Florida to sound the call of capitalism in the mecca of finance tops a string of visits that the former president has made to various spots in the city this year.

Outside of his required presence in a downtown courthouse for his trial, Trump, who is always attuned to the art of a photo op, held campaign events around the city: at a firehouse, a bodega and a construction site. He also held a rally in the Bronx, among the places in the city where Trump made inroads during the election.

To mark the final stretch of his campaign, he held a high-octane rally at Madison Square Garden, which drew immediate blowback after speakers there made rude and racist insults and incendiary remarks.

Trump has long had a fascination with being on the cover of Time, where he first made an appearance in 1989. He has falsely claimed to hold the record for cover appearances, and The Washington Post reported in 2017 that Trump had a fake picture of himself on the cover of the magazine hanging in several of his golf country clubs.

Trump crafted his image as a wealthy real estate developer, which he played up as the star of the TV reality show “The Apprentice” and during his presidential campaign. He won the election in part by channeling Americans’ anxieties about the economy’s ability to provide for the middle class.

After the Nov. 5 election, the S&P 500 rallied 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,508 points, or 3.6%, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 3%. All three indexes topped records they had set in previous weeks.

Trump, who often regards the stock market as a measure of public support, has said his coming term as president should be dated to the day after the election so he is credited for the gains.

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Trump’s campaign promises have included pledges to deliver historic levels of economic growth, and the people he’s selecting to fill out his incoming administration skew heavily from the business sector.

The larger business community has applauded his promises to reduce corporate taxes and cut regulations. But there are also concerns about his stated plans to impose broad tariffs and possibly target companies that he sees as not aligning with his own political interests.

The U.S. stock market has historically tended to rise regardless of which party wins the White House, with Democrats scoring bigger average gains since 1945. But Republican control could mean big shifts in the winning and losing industries underneath the surface, and investors are adding to bets built earlier on what the higher tariffs, lower tax rates and lighter regulation that Trump favors will mean.

In light of his election win, his lawyers have sought to have his conviction in the Manhattan case be thrown out.

Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

Horoscopes Dec. 12, 2024: Jennifer Connelly, your aim this year is to lower pressure and maintain peace

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Mayim Bialik, 49; Madchen Amick, 54; Regina Hall, 54; Jennifer Connelly, 54.

Happy Birthday: Socialize with people you want to do business with, and you’ll establish a rapport that will help you expand your circle and build a solid coalition with those you want on your team. Make this a year of progress, learning and incorporating what you want into your everyday routine. Say no to choices that are dominated by debt. Your aim this year is to lower pressure and maintain peace. Your numbers are 5, 13, 21, 30, 39, 44, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Sign up for something of interest or donate your time or items you no longer need to an organization you want to help. How you delegate time and money will make a difference to those whom you encounter, what you learn and the direction you choose to pursue next. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Spend time revising how you do things. Base your success on how you feel and let go of pastimes and people who have drained you mentally, physically or financially. It’s time to put yourself first and use your energy for self-improvement and a peaceful lifestyle. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Embrace those who have something you want to offer. The more you communicate and engage in events that spark your interest, the easier it will be to position yourself for success. Take the plunge and try something encouraging better health, fitness and lifestyle. Romance is favored. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Incorporate something unique into whatever job you pursue, and you’ll stand out and make an impression on someone in a position to help you advance. Be wary of anyone trying to undermine or interfere in your business or personal life. Avoid frivolous expenditures and joint ventures. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Put your head down and focus on your objective. Refuse to let anyone talk or guilt you into something that doesn’t fit your schedule or budget. Put your energy where it brings the highest return and self-improvement; nurturing meaningful relationships and personal gains will benefit you. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Trouble will surface unless you abide by the rules and stay on budget. Take stock and consider what you can sell that may ultimately save you money. Learn to say no and set boundaries with those who are a terrible influence. Travel and reunions are favored. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Book your plans to travel or visit loved ones in advance. Express your feelings and make gestures that leave nothing to chance. You’ll discover something you didn’t know about someone you love. Avoid a problem with joint ventures or shared expenses by taking the necessary precautions. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): An opportunity is worthwhile only if it fits your budget and obligations. Scope out the possibilities and designate a plan that offers hope for a brighter future. Refuse to argue over something you cannot change. Know when to back away and do your own thing. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Do your due diligence when making arrangements that include a costly price tag. Nothing is worth the worry of going into debt unnecessarily. When in doubt, know enough to decline and walk away. Work alone to get things done at a cost you can afford. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Gravitate toward change that excites you and events that allow you to explore new possibilities. Rearrange your calendar to ensure you can attend lectures or demonstrations that can help you make transitioning to a healthy and happy lifestyle easier. A change of heart will lead to a new adventure. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Press play and be on your way. Participating in festive events or preparing your surroundings for upcoming activities will get you in the spirit of the season. Refuse to let outsiders criticize you for the choices you make. Follow your heart and live life your way. Personal growth is favored. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Get serious and get things done. How you handle matters that involve friends, family or associates will determine how well you are received when a new era comes into play. If change excites you, do your due diligence and explore the possibilities. Once you feel confident, make your move. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are open-minded, perceptive and imaginative. You are considerate and unique.

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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Steve Kerr blasts officials after controversial call bounces Warriors from NBA Cup

The Warriors’ shot at the NBA Cup got decided at the foul line, not on the court.

With 3.5 seconds left in a one-point game, Jonathan Kuminga got called for a loose-ball foul 80 feet from his basket. He’d jockeyed with Jalen Green amid a helter-skelter play. As Green secured the ball, his teammates tried to call for a timeout. Kuminga tied him up on the ground.

Instead of granting Houston a timeout or calling a jump ball, the officials sent Green to the line for what became the game-winning free throws.

Right after the officiating crew made the call, the TNT broadcast panned to Kerr on the sideline, his mouth agape. He couldn’t believe what had transpired in the moment, and didn’t hide his feelings about it at the postgame podium after the traditional cool-off period.

“I’m pissed off,” Kerr said. “We wanted to go to Las Vegas, we wanted to win this Cup. And we aren’t going because of a loose ball 80 feet from the basket with the game on the line. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. And that was ridiculous.”

Kerr could have challenged the call, but said he decided not to because it wouldn’t have gotten overturned.

There was certainly contact on the play, but the officials had let a lot of physicality go. The game was tense and low-scoring, with each defense ramping up intensity in a game that had NBA Cup — and financial — stakes.

Kerr couldn’t believe that a game like Wednesday’s was decided by a whistle rather than on the court. He said an elementary school referee would’ve had the feel to know not to call a foul in that situation.

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“I don’t even understand what just happened,” Kerr said as part of a two-minute rant postgame. “Loose ball, diving on the floor, 80 feet from the basket and you’re going to give a guy two free throws to decide the game when people are scrambling from the ball? Just give them a timeout and let the players decide the game. That’s how you officiate. Especially because the game was a complete wrestling match. They didn’t call anything. Steph Curry got hit on the elbow plain as day on a jump shot — no call.”

Early in the game, crew chief Bill Kennedy appeared to tap his chest to admit he missed a call on a Curry jump shot. In the fourth quarter, as Kerr referenced, Curry got hit on the wrist on another shot, but the contact went uncalled.

But there’s no individual call Kerr will remember more than the one on Kuminga with 3.5 seconds remaining.

“This is a billion dollar industry,” Kerr said. “We’ve got people’s jobs on the line. I’m stunned. I give the Rockets credit. They battled back and played great defense all night. But I feel for our guys. Our guys battled back, played their asses off. And they deserved to win that game or at least have a chance for one stop at the end to finish the game. And that was taken from us.”