Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 27

49ers mailbag: Week 1 depth chart sparks barrage of questions from Faithful

SANTA CLARA — Nothing like a Week 1 depth chart, even an unofficial one, to set ablaze the 49ers’ fans, as happened Tuesday to yield this question-and-answer mailbag:

Ji’Ayir starting over Sigle???? (@@49ers_hnic). Brown? Are we serious? He’s terrible (@49ersSideline)

Unless the 49ers coaches verbally declare a competition over, incumbents and/or veterans usually get the nod in depth charts such as these, which are compiled and distributed by the team’s communications staff, hence their “unofficial” designation.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has insisted it’s an open competition. Rookie Marques Sigle‘s speed and instincts impressed in the preseason and he could unseat Ji’Ayir Brown in the lineup. Veteran Jason Pinnock seems to have locked down the other starting spot. Sunday’s first defensive snap in Seattle will be the true reveal.

Jennings should start off the bench as much as that may affect the team. (@SwedishGT)

Not going to happen unless Jauan Jennings’ calf and/or contract demands flare back up this week in his first practices after five weeks off. The 49ers didn’t bench Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyuk or Nick Bosa because of their camp holdouts in past years. They desperately need Jennings. His snap count could be limited, or more likely, they have him bully the Seahawks and block in a run-oriented game plan.

49ers depth chart for Week 1 at Seattle Seahawks is here

Listed as starters
WR Jennings, Pearsall
S Brown, Pinnock
LB Warner, Winters, Gifford
DE Bosa, Williams
DT Elliott, Davis
PR Moore
KR Guerendo pic.twitter.com/5dCgK7M68y

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 2, 2025

Hey Cam, what’s the number situation for rookies? Can they still switch without having to buy out jerseys? I’m looking at Sigle and James. (@ABZato)

Jersey numbers are locked in for the season, for all players. The 49ers’ rookies: Sigle (36); Watkins (17); defensive linemen Mykel WIlliams (98), Alfred Collins (95), C.J. West (99); linebacker Nick Martin (45); cornerback Upton Stout (20); running back Jordan James (29); and offensive linemen Connor Colby (75) and Drew Moss (55).

Skyy Moore over Jordan is crazy. LB Martin should start over Luke. #Fttb (@KingWaldenJr)

Jordan who? (Half-joking). The 49ers have Jordans with the last names Watkins (WR), James (RB), Elliott (DT) and Jefferson (DT). But you’re likely referring to listing Moore as a second-string wide receiver over Watkins, the latter of whom hasn’t practiced since a high ankle sprain in the preseason opener. Moore is essentially a return specialist who might make a cameo as a slot receiver.

Jake Brendel as the starter at center still confuses me. All the analytics show he is just not that good. (@JRBayArea10)

The 49ers, especially offensive line coach Chris Foerster, strongly disagree, and Brendel essentially went unchallenged in training camp, where his understudies were Matt Hennessy and Drake Nugent. Don’t disregard Brock Purdy’s familiarity with Brendel, not to mention the other four veteran starters on the line.

“Man, Jake’s job is so hard. I’m so happy I was able to play guard in this system and not center,” former 49er Jon Feliciano told David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard. “It’s mentally torture. There is so much he has to know and remember. Jake’s been in this system a long time so it’s second-hand to him.”

Where is Gifford from? Rookie? (@ROrnelas24)

Luke Gifford is a special-teams mainstay, but he has also served as the first-string strong-side linebacker since arriving in free agency. The 49ers still could side with a younger No. 3 linebacker (Nick Martin or Tatum Bethune), but Gifford’s bigger body (6-foot-3, 243 pounds) may match up better with the Seahawks’ tight ends in a run-based system. Gifford played his first four seasons with Dallas and the past two in Tennessee; he had a career-high 203 defensive snaps for the Titans last season after just 82 the previous five years.

Nick Martin should start. (@aaron.galindo209)

His third-round draft status implies that he could be a Day 1 starter, at either linebacker spot flanking Fred Warner. His speed and contact courage also impressed as the preseason progressed. The depth chart, however, sees Dee Winters and Gifford handling those roles, as they did throughout camp and the preseason. Martin’s speed will show on special teams, as well as on defense if the 49ers are facing speedier backs and mobile quarterbacks.

Guerendo at KR. He’s toast after the first return (@BCB13262)

Brian Robinson Jr.’s arrival has spoiled Isaac Guerendo’s bid to serve as Christian McCaffrey’s immediate backup. So Guerendo’s speed will be utilized on kick returns; he dislocated a shoulder on a return in camp a few weeks ago to add to a concerning medical file.

When is Mustapha coming back? (@will.chetti)

Safety Malik Mustapha, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and quarterback Kurtis Rourke are officially shelved on injury lists for the first four games but more likely until at least Week 6 at Tampa. Mustapha required a second ACL repair in January, and as determined as he is to rush back, the 49ers will exercise patience.

My goat Mordecai is back on the roster?? (@stevenyoung269)

Quarterbacks Tanner Mordecai and Carter Bradley reverted to the Injured Reserve list once they weren’t claimed from being waived with ankle injuries.

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People really thinking this is a Superbowl team. (@ALLINWITHX)

Well, 49ers fans are indeed called The Faithful, and they’re not abandoning that faith when the Super Bowl (correct spelling) is coming to their home field Feb. 8.

That’s an 8-win team. (@DavoG812)

It is through the Week 14 bye, yes. Then the 49ers finish with three more wins to go 11-6 and win the NFC West in a tiebreaker over the Rams.

Love the coaching staff (@RedCal24)

Is this Kyle Shanahan’s ghost account? Did you try throwing us off by not using @RedCap49?

Horoscopes Sept. 3, 2025: Shaun White, it’s time to live life your way

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Rita Volk, 35; Shaun White, 39; Omi, 39; Garrett Hedlund, 41.

Happy Birthday: Get moving in a direction that satisfies your soul. Surrounding yourself with people and situations that make you happy and at ease with yourself and the direction you are heading will help you promote your agenda and excel in new and exciting directions. Expansion will encourage you to grow in ways you never thought possible. Concentrate on what and who is important to you. It’s time to live life your way. Your numbers are 4, 11, 21, 27, 32, 41, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Exercise restraint when it comes to trying to prove yourself to unworthy people. Your best returns will come from spending more time on perfecting yourself, your image and your skills. Social or networking events can boost your confidence and put you in contact with like-minded people. A financial shift is within reach. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Intellectual activities and events will be your platform to shine. Engage in talks, and you’ll discover how much you can offer and how valuable you are. Summarize your talents and objectives and update your resume. The time to push your way to stardom is now. Be open, friendly and tenacious in seeking what you want. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A change in mindset due to adverse events will hold you back. Shake off any disappointing situation and recognize that you are better off moving forward with a smile on your face and a skip in your step. Create your scenario instead of becoming part of someone else’s goal. Replace what isn’t working with what will. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): An optimistic attitude will pave the way to new beginnings. Put your energy into transformation, not anger and regret. It’s time to create the best version of yourself and to display who you are for all to see. No pain, no gain. Get up and go and make things happen, and you’ll discover something or someone special. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Put pressure where it will help you gain access to what you want, and don’t look back. A change is overdue, and it’s up to you to initiate what you want to achieve. Refuse to let technicalities stand between you and your dreams. Take care of legalities, rules and regulations quickly, and you’ll capture your dreams. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take pleasure in who you are, what you’ve done and what you still want to achieve. Having a plan in place will lower your anxiety and encourage you to pick up the pace to ensure success. Refuse to let inconsistency be your demise or outsiders confuse you. Do your research and make things happen your way. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Sit back and refuse to let your emotions or temper escalate. Look for peace and tranquility in places that bring you joy. Stick close to home or find your comfort zone wherever you are. You will have to call the shots if you want to avoid situations that have a propensity to escalate quickly. Personal growth is favored. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A little charm will go a long way. Distance yourself from unreasonable people and unnecessary pressure. Focus on your talents, skills and goals, and you will discover the best approach to accomplish tasks to your specifications and without interference. A unique plan will harvest the most growth. Refrain from overextending yourself physically or financially. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You’ll crave change, but don’t take on more than you can handle. Listen to what others say, but only commit to what’s feasible. A shift in perspective regarding some of your acquaintances will encourage you to explore different avenues for entertainment. Don’t believe everything you hear, and get what you want in writing. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Acting in haste will backfire. Investigate any activity you plan to participate in thoroughly to ensure it falls within your price point and that the returns will meet your expectations. A change in your routine will jump-start your mind and encourage you to expand your awareness regarding matters of concern. Romance is on the rise. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep pushing forward until you are satisfied with the results. You have plenty to gain if you adjust your home environment to suit your needs better. Setting up a space that is convenient for what you want to accomplish will encourage results. An unusual marketing strategy will pay off. Personal gain is apparent. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be a leader, not a follower. Problems with someone you interact with will inevitably arise, altering your feelings about continuing the relationship. Take a timeout and rethink your next move. Look for opportunities to try something new, but don’t fall into pressure tactics trying to part you from your cash. Trust your instincts, not unverified information. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are optimistic, social and persistent. You are accommodating and demanding.

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.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

Dannah Nielsen, Off the Beaten Path: The lesser-known gems of the Mendocino coast

With whatever route you choose to arrive on the bluffs of the Mendocino coast, there is no escaping the first dance to this weekend romance, which is a slow and winding road through shady, lush, towering redwoods.

If not for nature itself, it could be argued that Mendocino residents designed it intentionally this way: leave your worries inland and enjoy this peace offering thrusted toward your windshield as your car breaks through the trees and gives you sweeping views of endless ocean.

When it comes to visiting this region, there isn’t a wrong time of year to be here. We pulled up to our vacation rental, The Homestead Mendocino, at the start of fall and it felt like we arrived right on time — the homestead’s apple orchard was ripening, leaves were changing, and the fog was settling. It was the perfect vibe for what we set out to explore during this particular trip — lesser-known gems. Here are some we found:

The Floating Houses on the Albion River >> Accessible by kayak, canoe or fishing boat, the floating houses are an amazing feat of engineering (and county permitting) that offer up a one of a kind Mendocino experience. Visitors can rent a vessel from the Albion River campground, but call ahead to confirm the best time to go based on the tides. We lucked out with a peaceful trek on a sunny day.

Pudding Creek Trestle >> Padlocks on bridges have only gained in popularity, and this Trestle Bridge is currently trending. Stretching 530 feet, there is plenty of unique locks to admire and room to leave your own, all while getting your steps in. The trestle itself is easily accessible, free to enjoy, and comes with sweeping views of the Pacific — unless like us, you arrive on a dense foggy morning in which case it comes with a mind-bending game of matching unseen sounds with unknown distances.

Noyo Harbor>>Come for the fresher than fresh seafood, stay for the much needed walk afterward. We opted for the highly rated SeaPal Cove lunch spot, but also highly rated are the nearby murals, eclectic collections of coastal art, marine life congregating to watch humans congregating, and front row seats to our Coast Guard and fishermen hard at work. Let’s face it, most of us land people don’t usually get everyday glimpses into this alternate world and when we do, of course we stop to debate if we could live the ocean life too. Noyo Harbor is perfect for this.

Fresh seafood found at Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, an often overlooked tourist spot. (Dannah Nielsen — contributed)

Sea caves, tunnels and blowholes >> They are everywhere! Some are easy to stroll to when the tide is low, others come with vista points for everyone’s safety. We found a few at the Big River Beach below the town of Mendocino at the Mendocino Headlands State Park, and of course the Sinking Whole (yes, spelled correctly) at Russian Gulch State Park which allows you 360 degree views of this massive crater on a bluff. Not to be outdone are the sea caves wanting your attention at Pacific Star Winery — they make for quite a sound bath when the waves hit just right and shoot back out. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can also join a kayaking group to explore caves on a calm day at Van Damme State Beach.

Sea Caves and tunnels are a frequent sighting along the Mendocino Coast. (Dannah Nielsen — contributed)

And a few quick stops to note, as we do love a good roadside attraction:

— The Westport Whale. A labor of concrete love, this lifesize whale sculpture is always evolving on the side of Highway 1 in the town of Westport.

— The Tree Tunnel heading north of Inglenook. Made up of towering, arching cypress trees, this tunnel stretches a good 400 yards (our guess) and while there isn’t a walking path to enjoy it, it wouldn’t hurt to slow down to catch the sun beams or fog wisps peeking through the branches.

— The lighthouses. Point Cabrillo and Point Arena. Both have museums, tours, souvenirs but can also be admired from afar. Neither one is far off Highway 1, and also comes surrounded by a tiny charming coastal town.

The original water tower found at Homestead Mendocino. (Dannah Nielsen — contributed)

When it comes to matters of food and lodging, there is no shortage of options. For this particular trip however, our stay at Homestead Mendocino was the highlight of our weekend, being above and beyond noteworthy.

The recently remodeled 100-year-old farmhouse sits on its own apple orchard with many historical pieces well-preserved and well cared for by the hosts. From the outside, the humble character of the Homestead remains untouched. A family of deer share the property with old growth trees, weather-worn barns and echoing memories of neighborhood ball games.

Stepping inside, guests face a unique juxtaposition of upgraded elegance and luxury, all while incorporating restored pieces pulled from the restoration process.

Our goal of uncovering lesser known gems was complete with this vacation stay.

For more ideas on lesser known, and well known gems of the Mendocino Coast, follow @Ca.love.fornia on Instagram. For experiencing the Homestead Mendocino, book at https://Clockhouse.hospitable.rentals

Multiple SF Giants ejected after benches clear during win in Colorado

From a shove at the pitchers’ mound to multiple home runs, heavy hitters were everywhere in the Giants 7-4 victory over the Rockies on Tuesday.

A benches-clearing brawl resulted in Willy Adames and Matt Chapman being ejected in the top of the first inning of San Francisco’s game in Colorado, a game that saw the team, finally, crawl back over .500 at 70-69.

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After Rafael Devers smashed his 30th home run of the season off lefthander Kyle Freeland to give the Giants a 2-0 lead, the two exchanged words as San Francisco’s slugger slowly rounded the bases.

As the benches cleared, Giants third baseman Chapman ran up to Freeland and shoved the pitcher.

“I saw the ball go out, and i was behind a few people, and the next thing I know, people are running out onto the field,” Giants manager Bob Melvin told media. “I didn’t really see what happened. I know that Freeland went over and said something, and that started the whole thing. Guys these days are doing a lot worse than what Rafi was doing hitting a home run.”

A few seconds later, as the teams met at the pitchers’ mound, Adames confronted Freeland and appeared ready to fight with the Rockies starter, but ended up only lightly patting the pitcher.

“I’m surprised it hasn’t happened before with that guy,” Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb said. “He runs his mouth a lot of times, and Rafi got him good.”

“You don’t see this very often, especially in the first inning,” Wilmer Flores said on the NBC broadcast. “We’ve got each other’s backs, and its part of the game.”

Once the teams went back to their respective dugouts and Devers rounded the bases , umpire Phil Cuzzi tossed Adames, Chapman and Freeland. The Giants players were due up next in the batting order.

Casey Schmitt, coming off an elbow injury sustained on Monday, came in to play second base as Christian Koss shifted over to shortstop.

Dominic Smith came in to play first base, as Devers, who was named the National League’s co-Player of the Week earlier in the day, moved to third.

“He didn’t have his third-baseman’s glove, but he played well over there,” Melvin said, later adding that he hoped there were no suspensions as a result of the incident.

The Giants, who entered Tuesday’s game having won 8 of their last 9, were now down two of their best players.

Fortunately for the visiting team, it had ace Webb on the mound. He went five innings and struck out seven, although he also allowed seven hits, two walks and two earned runs on 94 pitches in his 13th win of the season.

The Rocklin native, not quite at his best, enjoyed solid run support from the shorthanded offense.

After Hunter Goodman cut the Giants’ lead to 2-1 on a ground ball single in the third inning, San Francisco responded in the fifth.

A banged-up Schmitt looked perfectly healthy as he pounded the ball through the thin Denver air for his 10th home run of the season in the fifth inning.

Following Smith’s single, Wilmer Flores made it a 5-1 lead with a 385-foot blast to left for a two-run homer.

“I was sitting on a changeup there, and got a slider down and in right where I liked it,” Flores said.

Goodman drove in his second Rockies run of the game in the bottom of the inning, but Webb got the classic 6-3 double play to end the threat.

But just like Webb, the Giants bullpen was unable to figure out Goodman, who smoked his 27th home run of the season a whopping 440 feet to cut the Giants advantage to 5-4 in the seventh inning.

It did not take long for San Francisco to respond. Patrick Bailey hit his third home run of the season in the top of the eighth to give San Francisco a 7-4 lead.

The Giants have now hit a home run in 16 consecutive games, tying the team’s San Francisco-era record.

Robbie Ray (10-6, 3.18 ERA) is expected to start on Wednesday.

 

Kurtenbach: Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr. in the same 49ers backfield? Don’t bet on it

You can want it. You can hope for it. But please, I’m begging you — don’t expect it.

The moment the 49ers traded for running back Brian Robinson Jr., the drumbeat started. From fans, from the media, from anyone with a fantasy football team, the call came for Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan to play Robinson and Christian McCaffrey on the field at the same time.

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times now. And it’s starting to give me a headache.

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The logic, as it goes, is that this two-headed monster would solve the 49ers’ wide receiver depth issues — just flex McCaffrey out to the slot. The argument is that it puts the team’s “best 11” on the field.

But this isn’t Madden, folks.

Pushing for a Robinson-McCaffrey backfield shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how Shanahan’s offense actually works and, more importantly, the specific skill sets of both players.

So why won’t it happen?

Let’s start with the simplest reason of all: the data.

In his 49ers career, Christian McCaffrey has taken 1,504 regular-season snaps.

Guess how many of those included another true running back (not fullback Kyle Juszczyk or receiver-in-disguise Deebo Samuel) on the field with him.

Fifteen.

That’s it. That’s less than 1 percent. And digging into those 15 snaps — 14 in 2023, one in 2022 — reveals precisely why a CMC-and-B-Rob backfield will remain fan fiction.

Now, to be fair, 15 isn’t nothing. Shanahan has done it before and he could do it again — the plays are in the playbook.

And if he were ever going to dust them off, Week 1 against Seattle might be the time. Not because of the Niners’ receiver situation, but rather because the Seahawks’ defense presents the exact niche scenario where it makes a sliver of sense.

This funky, two-back personnel group was a gimmick package, used almost exclusively against gimmicky defenses that play with no deep safeties. Think aggressive red-zone situations and against chaos-agent defenses. There, Shanahan can basically go back to high school and run a veer option offense.

– He first used it in Week 18 of 2022 against the Cardinals on a slick red-zone play where McCaffrey’s sweep action pulled the defense with him, allowing Elijah Mitchell to score with a run the other way.- He went back to it for four plays against Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy Cover-0 scheme in 2023. One play resulted in a 35-yard touchdown for McCaffrey on a swing pass.- The next week against Cincinnati, Shanahan tried it five more times. That game, it featured a botched option play that turned into an interception.- Later that season, against Jacksonville, Shanahan used it for three snaps in a blowout, when he was trying, inexplicably, to force-feed McCaffrey the ball to extend his touchdown streak.

The schtick had run its course. Shanahan tried the two-running-back look two times after that. The last time we saw it, McCaffrey was basically a lead-blocking tight end for a Deebo reverse. Woof.

Which brings us to 2025.

Wouldn’t fate have it that the Seahawks led the NFC in Cover-0 snaps last season? (Seven percent of dropbacks.) If ever there was an opponent to tempt Shanahan, this is it.

The problem? Brian Robinson isn’t the right player to run the sets.

The Commanders tried moving Robinson around the formation last year, and it was hardly a success. He has decent hands, but he isn’t shifty enough for a defense to truly respect him as a receiving threat. There’s a reason 20 percent of his receiving yards last season came on one busted play where Tampa Bay simply forgot to cover him. It’s likely why Washington was willing to trade him for pennies on the dollar and eat some of his salary to do it.

Mitchell wasn’t a world-class receiver either, but at 25 pounds lighter, he possessed enough quickness to create the threat of a mismatch. That’s sometimes all you need. For the package to work, both backs have to be credible pass-catchers.

No, Robinson is much more like Jordan Mason — the thunder to McCaffrey’s lightning. And in their two-plus seasons together, Mason and McCaffrey never shared a single snap.

So why not just line up McCaffrey in the slot full-time?

Because doing so squanders his greatest asset: versatility that creates mismatches.

We should all know by now that Shanahan’s offense is built on finding a small advantage and exploiting it a hundred different ways. And McCaffrey, like prime Deebo before him, is the ultimate chess piece. Line him up in the backfield, and the defense has to use heavier personnel to respect the run. Once they do, Shanahan can motion McCaffrey out wide and suddenly a linebacker is stranded in coverage against him. It’s a guaranteed win.

The same truth works in reverse.

You can’t cover McCaffrey with a linebacker in the passing game, and you can’t tackle him with a defensive back in the run game.

But you know who can cover McCaffrey when he’s just a receiver? A cornerback.

(Watch back those three strange plays against the Jaguars in 2023 to see exactly what I mean.)

Playing McCaffrey as a straight-up receiver or using a two-running-back set where one back isn’t a receiving threat concedes that critical advantage before the snap. It fundamentally contradicts Shanahan’s core philosophy.

Perhaps desperate times call for desperate measures. But I’ll bet on the coach with a well-earned reputation for tactical stubbornness to stick with what he knows works, especially in Week 1.

But, hey, I bet the sets are fun in Madden.

Trump says video showing items thrown from White House is AI after his team indicates it’s real

By MICHELLE L. PRICE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a video circulating online that showed items being tossed out of an upstairs window of the White House was created with artificial intelligence, despite his press team seeming to confirm the veracity of it hours earlier.

Trump, who has boasted of being an expert in building design as he takes on remodeling projects at the White House and beyond, told reporters that the video has “got to be fake” because the windows, he said, are heavy and sealed shut.

The video, which circulated Monday, appears to show a small black bag and a long white item being tossed out of a window on the building’s east side.

Trump blamed the video on AI, saying the creation of fake videos was one of the downsides of the technology, but then said, “If something happens that’s really bad, maybe I’ll have to just blame AI.”

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Hours earlier, the White House seemed to verify that the video was real when it told several news outlets that inquired about the video that it was “a contractor who was doing regular maintenance while the President was gone.”

The White House did not respond to a message later Tuesday about the discrepancy.

Trump denied that the windows can be opened and said “I know every window up there.” He went on to tell a story in which he said first lady Melania Trump recently complained that she wanted fresh air from an open window in the White House, “But you can’t. They’re bulletproof. And number one, they’re sealed, and number two, each window weighs about 600 pounds. You have to be pretty strong to open them up.”

After Trump viewed the video on the phone of Fox News Channel reporter Peter Doocy, the president again said the windows are sealed and again blamed AI.

“It’s the kind of thing they do,” he said. “And one of the problems we have with AI, it’s both good and bad. If something happens really bad, just blame AI. But also they create things, you know?”

Hany Farid, a digital forensics and misinformation expert at the University of California, Berkeley, who reviewed the video, said he does not detect any digital watermarks that are sometimes inserted into images at the point of AI-generation.

“The shadows in the scene, including the shadow cast by the tossed bag, are all physically consistent. The motion of the waving flags have none of the tell-tale signs that you often see in AI-generated videos. The overall structure of the White House appears to be consistent, including the flying of the American and POW/MIA flag,” Farid said in a statement.

Former first lady Michelle Obama, in a 2015 appearance on the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” seemed to complain about not being able to open windows in the White House, telling the host that she was looking forward to life after the White House, saying she wanted to take car rides with open windows and said, “The windows in our house don’t open.”

Associated Press writer Melissa Goldin in New York contributed to this report.

House committee releases some Justice Department files in Epstein case, but most already public

By STEPHEN GROVES, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Oversight Committee on Tuesday publicly posted the files it has received from the Justice Department on the sex trafficking investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, responding to mounting pressure in Congress to force more disclosure in the case.

Still, the files mostly contain information that was already publicly known or available. The folders contained hundreds of image files of years-old court filings related to Epstein and Maxwell. They also included video files appearing to be body cam footage from police searches as well as recordings and summaries of law enforcement interviews with victims detailing the abuse they said they suffered.

The committee’s release of the files showed how lawmakers are eager to act as they return to Washington after a monthlong break. They quickly revived a political clash that has flummoxed House Republican leadership and roiled President Donald Trump’s administration. House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to quell an effort by Democrats and some Republicans to force a vote on a bill that would require the Justice Department to release all the information in the so-called Epstein files, with the exception of the victims’ personal information.

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On Capitol Hill Tuesday, Johnson and a bipartisan group of lawmakers met with survivors of abuse by Epstein and Maxwell.

“The objective here is not just to uncover, investigate the Epstein evils, but also to ensure that this never happens again and ultimately to find out why justice has been delayed for these ladies for so very long,” said Johnson, R-La., after he emerged from a two-hour meeting with six of the survivors.

“It is inexcusable. And it will stop now because the Congress is dialed in on this,” he added.

But there are still intense disagreements on how lawmakers should proceed. Johnson is pressing for the inquiry to be handled by the House Oversight Committee and supporting the committee as it releases its findings.

What’s in the released files

The files released Tuesday included audio of an Epstein employee describing to a law enforcement official how “there were a lot of girls that were very, very young” visiting the home but couldn’t say for sure if they were minors.

Over the course of Epstein’s visits to the home, the man said, more than a dozen girls might visit, and he was charged with cleaning the room where Epstein had massages, twice daily.

Some pages were almost entirely redacted. Other documents related to Epstein’s Florida prosecution that led to a plea deal that has long been criticized as too lenient, including emails between the defense and prosecutors over the conditions of his probation after his conviction. Barbara Burns, a Palm Beach County prosecutor, expressed frustration as the defense pushed for fewer restrictions on their client: “I don’t know how to convey to him anymore than I already have that his client is a registered sex offender that was fortunate to get the deal of the century.”

Some of the interviews with officers from the Palm Beach Police Department date to 2005, according to timestamps read out by officials at the beginning of the files.

Most, if not all, of the text documents posted Tuesday had already been public. Notably, the probable cause affidavit and other records from the 2005 investigation into Epstein contained a notation indicating that they’d been previously released in a 2017 public records request. An internet search showed those files were posted to the website of the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office in July 2017.

Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, chided Republicans on the panel for releasing material that he said consisted almost entirely of already available information.

“The 33,000 pages of Epstein documents James Comer has decided to ‘release’ were already mostly public information. To the American people — don’t let this fool you,” Garcia said in a statement.

Push for disclosure continues

If the purpose of the release was to provide answers to a public still curious over the long concluded cases, the raw mechanics of the clunky rollout made that a challenge.

Lawmakers at 6 p.m. released thousands of pages and videos via a cumbersome Google Drive, leaving it to readers and viewers to decipher new and interesting tidbits on their own. The disclosure also left open the question of why the Justice Department did not release the material directly to the public instead of operating through Capitol Hill.

Meanwhile, Democrats and some Republicans were still trying to maneuver around Johnson’s control of the House floor to hold a vote on their bill to require the Justice Department to publicly release files. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who is leading the maneuver, spoke confidently that he would be able to gain support from at least a handful of Republicans, as well as all Democrats, in order to force a vote.

If Massie, who is pressing for the bill alongside Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., is successful in forcing a vote — which could take weeks — the legislation would still need to pass the Senate and be signed into law by Trump.

The clash suggests little has changed in Congress since late July, when Johnson sent lawmakers home early in hopes of cooling the political battle over the Epstein case. Members of both parties remain dissatisfied and are demanding more details on the years-old investigation into Epstein, the wealthy and well-connected financier whose 2019 death in a New York jail cell while he faced sex trafficking charges has sparked wide-ranging conspiracy theories and speculation.

“We continue to bring the pressure. We’re not going to stop until we get justice for all of the survivors and the victims,” Garcia told reporters.

Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington, Mike Sisak in New York and Meg Kinnard in Chapin, South Carolina, contributed.

Hwy. 183 improvement project through Castroville’s main street continues

CASTROVILLE – An important local and regional connector between the Salinas and Monterey Bay areas is undergoing a transformation to make it a safer and more accessible thoroughfare through the unincorporated Monterey County town of Castroville.

Major rehabilitation of Highway 183 continues with construction on Merritt Street in Castroville to enhance multimodal travel, according to Caltrans. The next phase of work will result in daytime sidewalk and curb work this week with no night work scheduled.

The State Route 183 – Merritt Street – Castroville improvement project aims to enhance safety, ride quality and accessibility along Merritt Street – Highway 183 – through Castroville from mile 8.3 to 9.98. Improvements include pavement rehabilitation, bridge repairs, upgraded transit stops, ADA-compliant sidewalks, bicycle lanes and intelligent traffic systems.

One open traffic lane in each direction on Highway 183 remains open for travelers, says Caltrans. Work includes maintenance of the previously installed temporary pedestrian access route to maintain access to existing businesses and the demolition of existing sidewalks and curbs in order to construct new sidewalks.

Construction activities this week will take place from California/Monterey Street to Wood Street, from Pajaro Street to Rico Street and from Preston Street to Sanchez Street.

All businesses will remain open and Caltrans appreciates the patience of the business community and the people of Castroville.

A zone for construction workers and two-way traffic will be maintained with minor delays and will include heavy equipment, according to Caltrans. During some stages of construction, there will be a temporary removal of parking, sidewalk and driveway access. Pedestrian access to local businesses and residences will be provided and maintained by the contractor. Bicyclists and motorists are encouraged to share the road on Highway 183. These delays should not exceed 10 minutes.

Residents in the vicinity of this work should expect pavement striping and equipment adjacent to live traffic, says Caltrans. This is crucial for the safety of both workers and all travelers. Noise and vibration associated with grinding and paving activities are also expected.

Message and directional signs will direct travelers in advance of the project area. Travelers are encouraged to remain on Highway 183 and avoid detours through residential areas and to be alert for crews and equipment working in the area.

All businesses in the Castroville Business District on State Route 183 Merritt Street remain open.

Caltrans estimates the annual average daily traffic is about 20,000 to 26,000 vehicles on the Merritt Street segment through Castroville, post mile markers 8.3 to 9.98.

Community partners in collaboration with Caltrans include the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, Monterey-Salinas Transit, Monterey County, Castroville Community Services District and North County Recreation and Park Department.

The estimated funding includes $38 million from the State of California. The State Route 183 Castroville Improvement Project construction cost is estimated to be $20,600,000.

Construction on the project began February of this year and is expected to completed the winter of 2027-2028.

Trump addresses health rumors after days without public events

By CHRIS MEGERIAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sometimes it feels like barely an hour can go by without hearing from President Donald Trump. So when he didn’t appear for one day, then two, then three, speculation started to swirl online about his health.

Not even a few glimpses of the president visiting his golf course over the weekend were enough to stanch the social media rumor mill fueled by political opponents. Trump was asked directly about it Tuesday at his first public event in a week.

“How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead?” asked Fox News’ Peter Doocy. “Did you see that?”

“No,” the 79-year-old Trump responded flatly. The senators and administration officials gathered around him for the Space Command headquarters announcement shifted their weight and smiled.

The president said he wasn’t aware that people were wondering if he had died, but he had heard there were concerns about his health.

“I knew they were saying, like: ‘Is he OK? How is he feeling? What’s wrong?’” Trump said, calling the speculation “fake news” and saying he “was very active over the weekend.”

Recently, Trump has been seen with bruising on the back of his right hand, sometimes poorly concealed with makeup, and swelling around his ankles.

The White House has said Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which means veins in the legs can’t properly carry blood back to the heart, causing it to pool in the lower legs. It’s a fairly common condition for older adults.

As far as the bruising, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it’s from “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” which Trump takes regularly to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

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Trump pointed out Tuesday that he gave a few interviews during the days when he wasn’t appearing publicly, plus he was posting on Truth Social, his social media site. He wrote some “long Truths,” as the posts are known, and some “pretty poignant Truths.”

In one of those posts, from Sunday, he said he “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE.”

In the past, Trump has been less than transparent about his health.

After he announced his first campaign, in 2015, he released a hyperbolic letter from his doctor saying “his physical strength and stamina are extraordinary” and he would be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.”

In 2020, the White House withheld some details about Trump’s hospitalization with COVID-19, such as a concerning drop in his blood oxygen levels. It was later revealed that the president was much sicker than the White House let on.

Royal Oaks man convicted of lewd acts on child

SALINAS – The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced that a jury convicted a man of sex acts on a child, and he is scheduled to be sentenced.

Victor Ramirez, 46, from Royal Oaks was convicted of three counts of lewd or lascivious acts on a child under the age of 14. Ramirez will be required to register as a sex offender, and will face up to 12 years in state prison.

On Aug. 25, a Monterey County Sheriff deputy and commander responded to a report of sexual battery on a 10-year-old child, Jane Doe. At the scene, Jane Doe told the commander that Ramirez, a family friend, had touched her thighs and private part as well as exposed himself to her in the living room of his house after a party he hosted had ended.

A forensic interview with Jane Doe was conducted where she was consistent with her allegations against Ramirez, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

The offenses are considered strikes under California’s Three Strikes Law. Ramirez’s sentencing is scheduled for a later date.