Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 298

Elon Musk’s PAC spent an estimated $200 million to help elect Trump, AP source says

By DAN MERICA

WASHINGTON (AP) — Elon Musk’s super PAC spent around $200 million to help elect Donald Trump, according to a person familiar with the group’s spending, funding an effort that set a new standard for how billionaires can influence elections.

The billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO provided the vast majority of the money to America PAC, which focused on low-propensity and first-time voters, according to the person, who was not authorized to disclose the figure publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

America PAC’s work was aided by a March ruling from the Federal Election Commission that paved the way for super PACs to coordinate their canvassing efforts with campaigns, allowing the Trump campaign to rely on the near-unlimited money of the nation’s most high-profile billionaire to boost turnout in deep-red parts of the country. That allowed the campaign to spend the money they saved on everything from national ad campaigns to targeted outreach toward demographics Democrats once dominated.

The plan worked for both sides. Trump saw key turnout surges in battleground states, and at the end of the campaign the president-elect credited Musk’s role in the race. “We have a new star,” Trump said at his election night party in Florida. “A star is born — Elon!”

“The FEC ruling cleared the way for us to gain more benefit from soft money enterprises that were going out and doing this work anyway,” said James Blair, the Trump campaign’s political director.

Blair worked as the main bridge between the Trump operation and groups like America PAC — a far cry from the early days of super PACs having to decide their strategy without communicating officially with the campaigns they were backing.

“By conserving hard dollars, we were able to go wider and deeper on paid voter contact and advertising programs,” Blair said. That, he added, included broad ad campaigns aimed at a national audience, as well as — critically — more targeted campaigns looking to boost turnout among Black and Latino men, two areas where Trump saw sweeping gains in 2024.

It wasn’t just Musk’s money that helped Trump. The billionaire businessman became one of Trump’s highest-profile surrogates in the final months of the campaign, often joining the former president onstage. His support gave Trump a clear opening into the universe of younger men who look up to Musk.

Trump also benefited from Musk’s ownership of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and the company’s work to end many of the rules that hampered Trump before he was kicked off in 2021. Like many conservatives, Musk is a fierce critic of social media efforts to counter disinformation, arguing that those efforts amount to pro-government censorship.

Musk is now expected to play a key role in a second Trump administration. The president-elect has said he will place Musk, whose rocket company works with the Defense Department and intelligence agencies, in charge of a new government efficiency commission.

A challenge to conventional wisdom

The work between the Trump campaign and America PAC has potentially longer-lasting implications.

It could yield a wholesale shift in the way presidential races are run, overturning longstanding conventional wisdom about campaigns lacking total control of their field program, the impact billionaires can have in politics and the effectiveness of paid canvassing operations.

One reason for skepticism is that this model had failed spectacularly for past campaigns, most notably during Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ run in the 2024 Republican presidential primary against Trump.

DeSantis, more than any other candidate in the primary, relied on an outside group to buttress his campaign. The group, Never Back Down, was beset by internal issues, and despite spending $130 million to tout the Florida governor, it was swamped by Trump and his campaign operation in Iowa.

One of the most persistent issues, however, was the blurring of lines around what is legally permissible between the campaign and the outside group, an issue that worried some within the governor’s official campaign.

That, however, was before the FEC ruling, meaning Trump and Musk’s group were operating in an entirely different universe than a few months earlier during the primary.

The ruling “allowed a much more direct line of communication regarding canvassing,” Blair said. “That is a real difference and a critical difference.”

Musk’s outside group was founded in May, but it wasn’t until Musk endorsed Trump in July, after the former president survived an assassination attempt, that the group more clearly began its turnout work. A week later, in an interview with a conservative podcaster, Musk acknowledged the new committee and a host of top Republican operatives with ties to DeSantis joined the effort.

The group ran ads that warned if people sat out the election, “Kamala and the crazies will win.” The highest-profile part of America PAC’s work was a $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes that landed the group in court before a judge said it was allowed to continue. The sweepstakes and subsequent court case drew considerable attention, but much of America PAC’s work happened under the radar.

Door knocking was arguably America PAC’s most impactful work, with Trump experiencing boosts in turnout in key rural areas in battleground states. The work, however, was not without controversy.

Related ArticlesNational Politics | Trump asks Rep. Mike Waltz, China hawk, to be his national security adviser National Politics | Will Trump’s hush money conviction stand? A judge will rule on the president-elect’s immunity claim National Politics | Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far National Politics | Trump breaks GOP losing streak in nation’s largest majority-Arab city with a pivotal final week National Politics | Young Black and Latino men say they chose Trump because of the economy and jobs. Here’s how and why A report from The Guardian found America PAC’s efforts were rife with paid canvassers faking their work and saying they had knocked on doors that they had not visited. Multiple reports from Wired alleged that some of those paid canvassers worked in poor conditions, including riding in the back of a rented U-Haul van and facing threats to meet unfeasible quotas. Canvassers were fired after the Wired report, leading to a lawsuit against America PAC.

A spokesperson for America PAC declined to comment on the record for this story.

Musk, meanwhile, indicated in an election night conversation on X that his PAC will stay involved in politics, “preparing for the midterms and any intermediate elections, as well as looking at elections at the District Attorney and sort of judicial levels.”

Wet, windswept Veterans Day ceremony in Seaside braved by celebrants

SEASIDE – Many people came out on a very cold, wet and windswept Veterans Day to celebrate, honor and thank those who have served in the United States military at a ceremony Monday at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside.

“Their commitment was not only to protect their homeland, but also to uphold the core ideals of our democracy. The belief that all people are created equal and have the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness,” said Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby. “This means living without fear of discrimination, choosing our own path, and sharing or striving for dreams that have made our nation stronger and one of the greatest nations on earth.”

The event at the Veterans Cemetery on Parker Flats Road on the former Fort Ord was co-sponsored by Seaside American Legion Post 591, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation and the city of Seaside, and started with a welcome and proclamation from Gov. Gavin Newsom presented by Fernando Pimentel, director of the Veterans Cemetery.

Attendees brave the inclement weather during the Veterans Day Celebration at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

Two County of Monterey Supervisors, District 4 representative Wendy Root-Askew, whose district includes the Veterans Cemetery, and District 5 representative Mary Adams, were part of the roster of speakers at the event.

Root-Askew, who has a few family members who have served, spoke about those in families who are veterans and stressed the importance of encouraging them to tell their stories so that other generations can benefit from learning about their sacrifice.

Adams lauded the efforts of many veterans who give back to their communities in many capacities and highlighted the programs and benefits that are available to veterans through the County of Monterey Military and Veterans Affairs Office.

The event was also the time for the cemetery’s Appreciation Wall to be dedicated.

At the ceremony, Cemetery Foundation Board member Dan Presser said, “Finally, the California Centeral Coast Veterans Cemetery Appreciation Wall is here, congratulations everybody.”

The wall is here thanks to the foundation, the community and State Sen. John Laird, said Presser. It honors and names those who helped to fund the Veterans Cemetery from small to large donations.

State Sen. Laird

Tagging on to a theme first voiced by Supervisor Askew moments before, Sen. John Laird said “many of you have stories and those stories might not outlast you if you don’t tell them.”

In his remarks to the assembly, Laird shared his own story of a veteran in his life.

“My father was a veteran of World War II in Europe and he wouldn’t talk about it for 30 or 40 years. Finally, he and my mom went and started in England and retraced his steps all the way through,” he said. “They came across a farmhouse in Luxembourg and my father remembered being bivouacked there for a number of months..”

Laird said his mother suggested they knock on the farmhouse door.

“The 10-year-old boy who lived on the farm when he was bivouacked there was now the farmer who owned the farm and recognized him and they embraced,” said Laird. “That was a story that would have been lost if it wasn’t told. You have to make sure that you do that.”

Other speakers at the Veterans Day ceremony were Seaside American Legion Post 591 Commander Michael Ward, American Legion District 28 Chaplain Mary Estrada, American Legion Unit 591 President Diana Alvares-Ward, Brenda Thomas, and Sand City Mayor Mary Ann Carbone.

Monterey County Jail Deputy arrested for criminal conspiracy

A Monterey County Sheriff deputy was arrested for concealing a handmade weapon and committing criminal conspiracy while working inside the county’s jail facility.

Deputy Gaspar Estevez was booked into the San Benito County Jail for multiple felonies, according to a Nov. 5 press release.

The Sheriff’s Office received a tip that a deputy had a concealed sharp-edged handmade weapon – also known as a shank – that was provided to him by an incarcerated person.

The Sheriff’s Office reports that during the investigation, they developed probable cause to believe that a crime occurred, and that both the deputy and the inmate were involved. The weapon was also recovered during the investigation.

“This behavior is a betrayal of public trust and breaks my heart. It jeopardizes the safety of both our employees and our incarcerated population whom we are interested to keep safe. Unfortunately we sometimes have to police our own,” said Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto in a press statement. “This action of one individual is not a reflection of the values of the hard-working and dedicated men and women who have committed their lives to public safety. Our agency believes in our motto — ‘Keeping the peace and earning your trust.’”

Estevez was relieved of his duties and placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.

Prunedale shooting leaves 18-year-old dead

PRUNEDALE – A Salinas teenager has been identified as the victim in a shooting in Prunedale as police continue the investigation.

Adrian Puga,18, was shot during a vehicle sideshow on Nov. 5 and later died at the hospital from the injuries.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s and the California Highway Patrol got multiple calls from the area near Prunedale Road South and Blackie Road reporting that someone had been shot. When police arrived to the scene, they found Puga with gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to the injuries.

The investigation is ongoing and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is requesting that anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has any information to contact (831) 253-6029. Callers can remain anonymous when reporting information.

Prunedale teacher arrested for alleged sexual assault

PRUNEDALE – A male employee at the Prunedale Christian Academy was arrested Nov. 8 for alleged sexual assault of a juvenile student. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is searching for more possible victims.

Michael Louis Moon, 22, was a teacher at the school. Moon was booked in the Monterey County Jail with three charges: lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, oral copulation with a victim under 16 years old and sex with a minor.

The sheriff’s office received a tip Nov. 7 that informed them Moon was involved in a sexual assault of a student, according to a news release sent out by the sheriff’s office Sunday morning. On Nov. 8, Moon was arrested.

According to Cmdr. Andy Rosas, the sheriff’s office requested a bail enhancement for Moon, whose bail is set at $1 million. Bail enhancements can be requested based on a defendant’s prior convictions or based on the nature of the offense.

As this is an ongoing investigation, Rosas said the sheriff’s office is not able to discuss the bail enhancement or the specific nature of the case.

The sheriff’s office did say in its news release that it has probable cause to believe there may be additional victims. They are encouraging anyone who might have information about Moon and any past or present victims to come forward.

“A victim can choose to come forward. It’s their decision,” said Rosas. “This is an opportunity for them to come directly to us. We know this is a traumatic experience. It’s not easy for a victim to have to relive what they’ve gone through … We have resources that are available to victims of any violent crime.”

Anyone with information should contact contact Monterey County Sheriff Detective Christina Scariot at 831-755-3811 or Detective Sergeant Nicholas Kennedy at 831-755-3773. Tips can also be sent in anonymously.

“We would encourage anyone that has any knowledge of something that has happened involving this investigation to come forward and talk to us,” said Rosas. “They can do so anonymously. We always offer that opportunity to talk to us without identifying yourself (while) providing us with information that could in this case help the victim.”

Clipboard: Ducker’s playing time as a freshman increasing on the football field at Cornell

Palma High grad Tommy Ducker has found the field in Cornell’s past four football games as a true freshman, recording a sack in last week’s battle against Princeton.

Ducker has seven tackles on this season with a pair of sacks for 12 yards in losses.

The 6-foot-2, 238-pound defensive lineman anchored a Palma defense last season that won the county’s first-ever state football title.

Having earned all-Gabilan Division honors last year on offense and defense, Ducker was also an all-league lacrosse player at Palma.

Ducker’s father played football at Princeton, while his mother was a standout in lacrosse. His brother Gavin, plays baseball at William and Mary.

Injury cuts short Avalos’ season

Prior to an injury putting Salinas High grad Lorenzo Avalos on the shelf, the true freshman was among the team leaders in minutes played over his last five starts for the Villanova soccer team.

Avalos started seven of the eight matches he took part in for the Wildcats, logging 668 minutes. He did not come out of the match in six of those starts, while logging 88 out of a possible 90 minutes in the other.

In eight matches, the 6-foot-1 defender was credited with one assist — that coming in his collegiate debut, while being dynamic on defense.

Avalos, who played for the San Jose Earthquakes Academy team as a youth, is expected to play this summer for Monterey Bay FC2.

Milovale starting for Hawaii

Redshirt junior James Milovale is started this fall for the University of Hawaii football team at right tackle.

The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Seaside graduate opened holes and kept his quarterback upright in Hawaii’s 21-20 win over Fresno State — the program’s first road win of the year.

Milovale, an all-state selection at Hartnell College in 2022, is following in the footsteps of his older brother Mike, who started on the offensive line at Hawaii from 2012-13.

A former volleyball standout at Seaside, Milovale helped the Spartans football team to a pair of league titles. He earned all-league honors in football and basketball and was a PCAL Defensive MVP in volleyball.

Stevenson sailors podium

Claire Lee was part of two sailing teams for Stevenson that finished in the top five at the Northern California Regatta at Encinal Yacht Club on Alameda Island.

Taking part in the gold division, the junior teamed up with Patrick O’Hara to finish third in a six-race series. A day earlier, Lee joined forces with Liah Yamamura to take fourth in a seven-race series.

Pacific Grove High showcased a team, with Kieran Sherlock and Tyra Liljegard finishing in the top 10 in all seven races contested in the silver division.

Stevenson competed this past weekend in the Anteater Regatta at Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

Mena, Reynolds productive

The growing pains of a first-year college football program was evident in a winless season for Simpson University.

Two players to help build the defense around next season include linebacker Kacey Mena and defensive end Jabari Reynolds.

Mena played in six of the team’s eight games, finishing fourth on the team in tackles with 24. The former Palma High and Hartnell College all-conference selection also recovered a fumble.

Reynolds had 17 tackles coming off the edge. The 230-pound one-time Monterey Peninsula College and Rancho San Juan product forced two fumbles and recovered one.

The pair, who will be seniors next fall at Simpson, combined for 8.5 tackles for losses.

Nominations for MPC awards

Nominations for the Lobo Legends Celebration are now being accepted for the awards event, which will be held March 15.

The event will honor achievements from Monterey Peninsula College alumni, retirees and rising stars who have made a significant contribution to the college and the broader community.

There are four categories for the awards event – distinguished alumni and alumni athletes, along with newly added distinguished retiree and rising star class.

Nomination forms are available on the MPC Foundation website.

Coaches needed

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

Carmel is looking for a head wrestling coach. Apply online at www.carmelunified.org

Seaside is looking for head coaches for varsity baseball, softball and boys and girls swimming. Contact athletic director Steven Vasquez at stvasquez.mpusd.k12.ca.us

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.

Ex-Raiders coach Del Rio leaving Wisconsin’s staff after arrest for operating vehicle while intoxicated

By Steve Megargee The Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. — Former Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio was arrested by Madison police for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and will step down from his role on Wisconsin’s coaching staff , coach Luke Fickell announced Monday.

Del Rio, the only head coach over the past two decades to lead the Raiders to the playoffs, had joined Wisconsin’s staff in August as a senior adviser to Fickell.

Madison police said Del Rio was arrested early Friday for a first-offense OWI after a vehicle hit a stop sign and broke a fence before resting in a yard. Police said Del Rio was walking away from the area and showed signs of impairment when they arrived at 12:35 am

“He’s going to move forward and he’s going to resign and move on,” Fickell said. “It’s a tough situation. Decisions that all of us have to be able to take full responsibility for. I know that’s what Jack will do, and we’ll continue to move forward.”

Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio walks along the sideline while playing the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter of their NFL game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. Baltimore defeated Oakland 30-17. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

The 61-year-old Del Rio came to Wisconsin after spending the last four years as the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator. He was fired 12 games into the 2023 season.

Del Rio had a 93-94 record in a 12-year NFL head coaching career that included stints with the Jaguars (2003-11) and Raiders (2015-17). Del Rio’s 25-23 record is the best of any Raiders coach since Hall of Famer Tom Flores was replaced following the 1987 season.

The former Hayward High three-sport star played linebacker in the NFL from 1985-95 after a stellar college career at Southern California.

Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) lost its last two games heading into Saturday’s home matchup with No. 1 Oregon (10-0, 7-0, No. 1 CFP).

49ers report card: How they graded in chaotic victory at Tampa Bay

PTAMPA, Fla. — Here is how the 49ers (5-4) graded in Sunday’s walk-off 23-20 win over the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6):

PASS OFFENSE: A-

Brock Purdy and this unit delivered in the clutch for the first walk-off win of Purdy’s career –and Jake Moody’s. Granted 41 seconds to engineer a winning drive, Purdy completed all four of his passes — two apiece to Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall — to set up Moody’s 44-yard field goal. Purdy acknowledged he struggled to find a rhythm early on like other games this season, but he rallied in the fourth quarter with some phenomenal plays, the highlights coming on a fourth-quarter drive with a 30-yarder to Christian McCaffrey and then an 11-yard, off-schedule touchdown toss to George Kittle. Ricky Pearsall’s first career touchdown — a 46-yard catch-and-run for a 7-0 lead — came with the impressive flair and determination befitting this first-round pick who is only 71 days removed from a death-defying shooting. Jennings’ impact (catching 7-of-11 targets, 93 yards) should not be understated in his return from a hip injury and two-game hiatus.  Deebo Samuel had his moments (five catches, 64 yards; three carries, 14 yards) but his on-field confrontation with kicker Moody and long snapper Taybor Pepper wasn’t becoming of a team captain.

RUN OFFENSE: C-

McCaffrey’s season debut saw him dash for 5 yards on the 49ers’ first snap, and he impressively stayed in for 56-of-64 plays. He proved more productive as a receiver (six catches, 68 yards) than as a rusher (13 carries, 39 yards). “There’s a couple of things that maybe I didn’t feel like myself 100% but that’s normal when you haven’t played in a long time,” said McCaffrey, who emerged feeling “pretty good” after two-plus months battling Achilles tendinitis. Jordan Mason initially relieved McCaffrey then vanished after three snaps, presumably from aggravating his Oct. 10 shoulder sprain. Mason had only one carry (5 yards) and so did Isaac Guerendo, who was stopped for no gain and appeared to draw the ire of left tackle Trent Williams for perhaps missing a block on a red-zone sack of Purdy, who scrambled twice on the opening drive but none thereafter.

PASS DEFENSE: B

Baker Mayfield escaped sacks amid a fourth-down conversion but his final throw of the day fell incomplete, forcing the Bucs to settle for a tying field goal in the last minute. The 49ers did not have to face Mike Evans nor Chris Godwin, so Mayfield passed for just 116 yards, but he did toss a 9-yard touchdown to Rachaad White in the third quarter to spark Tampa Bay’s comeback. Nick Bosa visibly battled through a right hip injury from Wednesday’s practice, and he got to Mayfield for a fourth-quarter sack (and nearly another on that fourth-down completion). Charvarius Ward’s absence was felt in the wake of his daughter’s memorial service Friday, as Mayfield targeted Renardo Green before a toe injury forced him out. The 49ers had no interceptions or fumble recoveries.

RUN DEFENSE: F

This unit proved vulnerable once again, especially as the fourth quarter opened with rookie Bucky Irving zipping through for a 12-yard touchdown run. The 49ers allowed 73 yards to Irving (5.6 yards per carry) while White had 31 yards on 10 carries. Bosa, Fred Warner, Maliek Collins and De’Vondre Campbell each had a tackle for a loss. “First half, we stood up and played great defense. In the second half we came up short in some of those areas,” Warner said. “But to hold them at the end to a field goal and give our offense a chance to win, that’s as grimy as it’s going to get.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: D

Moody’s first career walk-off winner (44 yards) notoriously came after three misses, including a 44-yarder on the 49ers’ preceding series to prompt Samuel into a verbal and physical altercation with Moody and long snapper Pepper, who came to the second-year kicker’s defense in what could have been a much more damaging scene had the 49ers lost. The 49ers also liked Jacob Cowing’s mulligan as a punt returner: Darrell Luter was blocked into Cowing on a muffed return that led to the Bucs’ first touchdown in the third quarter, and Cowing responded with a career-long 30-yard return to set up Kittle’s fourth-quarter score. Ronnie Bell appeared to bobble the 49ers’ lone kick return en route to a 23-yard effort.

COACHING: C-

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Kyle Shanahan’s locker-room speech, as posted at least in part by the 49ers, confirmed his praise for how they battled and how Moody showed tremendous mental fortitude. But this game was a microcosm of the 49ers’ rocky season with inconsistent production and mistakes from all three phases. When a player (Samuel) confronts a teammate (Moody, then Pepper) with time still on the clock, that can not happen. Shanahan can downplay that rift to reporters but it was the look of a disjointed team, not one that professes to have each other’s back. Players, coaches and team executives exited Raymond James Stadium with looks of both disbelief and relief that they escaped with a win over an undermanned underdog. Now the 49ers head home for a pivotal divisional game against the Seattle Seahawks, who are 4-5 and coming off their bye.

Horoscopes Nov. 11, 2024: Demi Moore, make the tough calls and bask in the glory

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Leonardo DiCaprio, 50; Calista Flockhart, 60; Demi Moore, 62; Marc Summers, 73.

Happy Birthday: Take every opportunity to turn a negative that comes your way into a positive. This is a year of change, making a difference in your life and the lives of those you love. Pay attention to what matters, surround yourself with those heading down a similar path and make a point to fulfill your dreams, hopes and wishes for a brighter future. Make the tough calls and bask in the glory of doing what’s best for you. Your numbers are 4, 11, 17, 27, 34, 39, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Think before you act, and you’ll avoid regret. Direct your time wisely, apply your attributes to do something you enjoy and gain insight into your goals. Approach your path passionately, and you’ll attract someone who can help you advance. Choose an open mind and a positive direction forward. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Surrounding yourself with what excites you will change your perspective and encourage you to reach for things you have denied yourself for too long. It’s time for a new look, direction and lifelong goal. Eliminate what’s no longer working for you and replace it with a fresh look and start. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You may want to review details carefully before agreeing to participate in something time-consuming or expensive. Don’t trust others to be accurate with the facts. Do the research and verify the information. Excess is the enemy; keep your life and plans simple and affordable. Apply your energy and enthusiasm to learning. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Your efforts will help you gain recognition and advancement. Differentiate yourself from the competition, stand tall and make yourself heard. An honest look at your past will help you redefine your future. You may not relish change, but it will be easier to digest if you consider it an improvement. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Apply force where necessary, but let others decide for themselves. There is a fine line between bullying and encouraging others to do what’s right. Offer facts and a good example, and be willing to lead the way; you’ll be well-received by those who can impact your plans as you intend. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Learn from your mistakes and avoid temptation. A change will spark your imagination and drive you to participate in something different. Don’t hesitate to make suggestions or put a unique spin on whatever you do. Your happiness and satisfaction are up to you. Deter anyone pressuring you. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Broaden your horizons, learn about possibilities and seek whatever makes you happy. Finding your happy place will do wonders for your outlook and the response you receive from others. Short trips, educational pursuits and communication will offer food for thought, but it’s up to you to decipher what’s good for you. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Enjoy the moment. Don’t let anyone interfere or lead you astray. Everything will fall into place if you stick to your budget and fulfill your desires. Secure what you have and want to keep, value those who enrich your life and put your energy into what makes you happy. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Step back, observe, analyze and come up with a plan before you consult with others. You must have sound ideas before you go to bat for what you want to see transpire. There is no room for error; get your facts and plan of attack in order. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Change begins with you. It’s time to lighten up and have some fun. Consider your attributes and the best way to put them to good use, and enjoy the process. Be creative and let your diversity shine through. The contributions you make will surprise others and define your beliefs. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep an eye on your money, possessions and reputation. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something inappropriate or expensive. Put your energy into getting ahead and turning your space into something that helps you accommodate your long-term plans. Don’t trust hearsay; get the facts firsthand. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Declutter your life, home and belongings. Letting go or paying it forward to those in need will be rejuvenating. If you need cash, sell off what you no longer use and pay down debt. A practical attitude will offer peace of mind and a path to a better life. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are creative, opportunistic and playful. You are changeable 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.

Warriors escape in Oklahoma City to cap successful road trip

Steph Curry hit three layups, a corner 3 and a patented deep trey while completely taking over the game in Oklahoma City during a nuclear third quarter.

Curry, the 36-year-old supernova, poured in 17 of his 36 points in the third period. Curry made seven of his 10 field goals in the frame, including the pair of 3s. Behind his eruption, the Warriors turned a seven-point edge into a 20-point blowout in what became aa 127-116 victory.

Recording season-highs in points (36) and 3s (seven), Curry made the best defense in the league look pedestrian. Golden State ran up 79 points in the middle quarters combined, building an insurmountable cushion after Thunder center Chet Holmgren left the game with a right hip injury.

Curry and the Warriors’ third quarter was enough to hold off a resurgent Thunder effort in the final period. Oklahoma City nearly erased the Warriors’ 30-point lead with a furious defensive performance, but Curry delivered the requisite daggers to escape.

The Warriors’ win capped off an undeniably successful road trip. Golden State (8-2) finished the five-city, nine-night trip with a 4-1 record, including wins over the Celtics and Thunder.

“You always have to have perspective in this league,” Curry said in his on-court postgame interview with NBC Sports Bay Area. “Because it’s so hard to win. So if you get on the plane at SFO 10 days ago, you say, ‘We’ve got to go 4-1.’ We’ll take that all day…Our resiliency to bounce back (from the Cleveland loss) and play against a very tough OKC team in their building and get a win like this on the way home, it shows what we’re building.”

The most consequential play of the game happened halfway through the first quarter. Gary Payton II swung a pass to Andrew Wiggins in the corner, who pumped-and-drove to the rim, where he finished through Holmgren at the rim. Holmgren, the second-year star center, fell hard on his right side and couldn’t put any weight on his right leg as he got helped to the locker room.

Holmgren, who’s averaging 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, didn’t return. The severity of his right hip injury could tip the balance of the Western Conference.

With Holmgren incapacitated, some of the Warriors paint touches that had been rimming out started to fall. The paint opened up, and so did second-chance opportunities. They took advantage of the absence of one of the game’s fiercest bigs.

The Thunder played minuscule lineups with Holmgren unavailable, and the Warriors often matched their size. Golden State went long stretches with Kyle Anderson as the functional center to counter Oklahoma City’s five-out style.

“It turned into a small game, that’s why (Kevon Looney) didn’t play, that’s why we leaned into our small lineups, and our guys did a great job,” Steve Kerr told reporters postgame.

Golden State hit three straight 3s to open the second quarter, and Jonathan Kuminga scored 10 points in his first six minutes. A Curry 3 on the wing midway through the second period gave the Warriors their first lead since the opening minutes.

Kuminga and De’Anthony Melton — in his first start of the season — keyed a 7-0 run and helped the Warriors take a 65-58 into halftime.

The Thunder, with Holmgren, posted the NBA’s best defensive rating by far entering Sunday. The Warriors countered by raining 3s; they went 13-for-26 in the first half.

Without Holmgren, the best defensive team in the NBA no longer looked elite. Golden State ripped off a 10-0 run to open the second half, going small to match Oklahoma City’s style.

Kuminga in particular took advantage of the Thunder’s lack of size. Perhaps the Warriors’ most consistent scorer since he got removed from the starting lineup, Kuminga (20 points in 26 minutes on 8-for-11 shooting) scored in double digits for a seventh straight game off the bench.

Curry’s microwave third quarter gave the Warriors a 17-point lead with a corner 3 over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander right after the Thunder superstar swatted his layup attempt.

Many analysts have leapfrogged Gilgeous-Alexander over Curry in debates over the best point guards in the NBA in recent years. Their head-to-head matchup told a different story.

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Curry helped the Warriors score 42 points in the third quarter — a team-high for any quarter this season — and balloon their lead to an apex of 30.

Oklahoma City threatened with a 23-5 blitz to start the fourth quarter, but Curry’s flurry in the third made Golden State’s lead safe.

The Warriors’ offense went ice cold, scoring seven points in as many minutes. Cason Wallace got loose for a pair of 3s, and suddenly the Thunder crept within nine.

At the end of their long road trip, the Warriors needed to summon the energy to hold Oklahoma City off. Then Draymond Green committed a technical foul and Melton threw an inbounds pass away, slicing Golden State’s lead to six.

But Kuminga answered with an alley-oop, followed by a circus 3 from Curry. With 1:12 left, Melton picked up a steal and led a fast break that ended with Curry’s seventh 3 — and a Night-Night celebration.

This road trip was the Warriors’ first test of the season after a soft start to their schedule. They  sandwiched a dud in Cleveland with by far their two most impressive wins of the season — at the TD Garden and Sunday night in Oklahoma City — no matter how tight it got at the end.

Golden State needed to hold off a Thunder storm to escape, and Curry gave them shelter.

“Hell of a trip,” Kerr said. “Great way to start the season out, winning eight of our first 10. Including a couple road wins against two of the best teams in the league. Feel like our team is in a good place, but obviously this is just the beginning of a long, long season. So we’ve got to keep working.”