Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 302

49ers, Brock Purdy seek to continue post-bye magic with Tampa Bay up next

SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy has never been one to think he’s above it all, but had little choice when he and his wife joined George Kittle and his wife on a bye week getaway to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Purdy turned off his phone, gasped as he watched Kittle unleash a 330-foot drive on the golf course at an altitude of more than one mile above sea level, and got in a little fishing before getting back to the grind.

“It was nice to go out there and breathe,” Purdy said Thursday as the 49ers (4-4) continued preparations to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) in Week 10.

For whatever reason, and even Kyle Shanahan isn’t sure what it is, the 49ers have often used the bye week as a starting gun in his previous seven years as the 49ers head coach.

The 49ers have a 43-19 record under Shanahan following a bye, compared to 25-36 before the yearly one-week break.

In the last two seasons, the 49ers were 16-2 following their bye, both of which took place in Week 9 just like this year. And one of those losses came when several starters took a seat for the last regular-season game against the Rams in 2023 with the NFC West already wrapped up.

Purdy hopes that’s the case this season as well. The division race is up for grabs with Arizona at 5-4, the 49ers and Rams at 4-4 and the Seattle Seahawks at 4-5.

“It’s nice that we had a bye to get guys healthy and you get guys back together it’s like, ‘OK, we know how important the second half of the season is,’” Purdy said. “We know that from the last couple of years, but every year is different. That doesn’t mean we’re going to go and do the things we’ve done the last couple of years. It’s put our heads down, go to work one day at a time and chip away at it.”

The 49ers could get a shot of adrenaline in the form of running back Christian McCaffrey, who is coming back from Achilles tendinitis in both feet and was limited in practice for the third time this week. The 49ers can wait until Saturday before activating him from injured reserve and onto the 53-man roster.

Shanahan isn’t sure the bye week has all that much to do with what happens when play resumes.

“I always like to feel we’re going to be better at the bye, I like to feel we’re better the following week, always,” Shanahan said.

Left tackle Trent Williams hasn’t given the 49ers success following a bye a great deal of thought.

“I’m not a big stats guy, so I don’t really look at it like that,” Williams said. “I don’t know if there’s anything to do with the bye. Maybe as the season goes on the games get more important. Maybe the heightened sense of urgency, but I can’t really put my finger on any particular things that make a difference.”

Middle linebacker Fred Warner likes the way the 49ers have played in the second half of the season, which also serves to annoy him about what happened leading up to the bye.

“I would hope that we’d win more before the bye,” Warner said. “For some reason we like to make it hard on ourselves. There’s something about playing desperate that makes you play a little better, I guess.”

Offensive line coach/run game coordinator Chris Foerster remembers coaching under Tony Dungy at Tampa Bay in the 1990s when the Bucs were awful and Dungy “started from scratch” and conducted full padded practices for a week.

“The league slowly mandates less and less (work),” Foerster said. “We kind of go off what the league says and we’re hesitant to do much banging around in the bye week and I think it’s paid off.”

Also helpful is the kind of peer pressure among veterans who lead by example in terms of getting the proper amount of rest and recovery.

“I think a lot of that goes to our players and how they handle byes too, because they usually use that the right way,” defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said. “If guys use it the right way, you should come back feeling pretty good.”

Christian McCaffrey (23) participates in a 49ers practice before going on injured reserve in September with Achilles tendinitis.

Here’s how the 49ers have fared following the bye week under Shanahan:

(Year/Bye week/Post-bye record)

2023: Week 9, 7-2 record. The 49ers staggered into their week off with three straight losses with Shanahan saying his team looked tired. They roared out of the break with six straight wins en route to a division title at 12-5.

2022: Week 9, 9-0. McCaffrey had just arrived and Jimmy Garoppolo was the quarterback going into the bye. McCaffrey and Purdy changed the offense, and Nick Bosa played at a Defensive Player of the Year level as the 49ers went 13-4.

2021: Week 6, 8-5. The 49ers lost two of their first three coming off the bye to Indianapolis and Arizona before catching fire with a win over the Rams and a strong finish to squeak into the playoffs as a wild card at 10-7.

2020: Week 11, 2-4. Bosa was out with a torn ACL, Garoppolo was done with a foot injury. The 49ers finished 6-10 in a nightmarish COVID year.

2019: Week 4, 10-3. The 49ers actually came out of the gate strong with a 3-0 record and were good after the bye as well, going 10-3 to win the NFC West for Shanahan’s first division title as a head coach at 13-3.

2018: Week 10, 2-4. Garoppolo went out in Week 3 with a torn ACL and the 49ers had little to cheer about other than a breakout season by George Kittle (88 receptions, 1,307 yards, 5 TDs) in a 4-12 season.

2017: Week 11, 5-1. Jimmy G was all the rage after arriving in a Halloween trade with New England. The 49ers went into the bye at 1-9, and then after a post-bye loss to Seattle, Garoppolo became the starter and the 49ers went on a 5-0 finish.

Shanahan totals post-bye: 43-19

Shanahan totals pre-bye: 25-36

Shanahan record as HC: 68-55

MCCAFFREY UPDATE

McCaffrey participated in practice for the third time this week, and the first time on back-to-back days. Shanahan will give an official report Friday but McCaffrey doesn’t have to be taken off injured reserve and placed on the 53-man roster until Saturday.

With Thursday being the heaviest practice day, McCaffrey’s recovery Friday could be the determining factor in how much he plays if at all.

“What he brings to the table is just firing everybody else up,” Purdy said. “All of us coming off the bye week, feeling good and fresh, and you get two-three next to you in the backfield, it’s been awesome. Looks great moving around and he’s trending in the right direction. I’m excited to see what happens.”

In an interview on KNBR, Shanahan was positive about McCaffrey’s prospects for playing Sunday.

“You never know for a setback or anything, but these two days have been great and I expect to see him out there,” Shanahan said.

McCaffrey is expected to speak with the media Friday.

For what it’s worth, former 49er Richard Sherman said on his podcast he expected McCaffrey to face Tampa Bay, that he could have faced Dallas and that the information came “from the horse’s mouth.”

“All signs point to him playing, and probably a significant role in this game,” Sherman said.

PEARSALL CATCHING ON

Rookie first-round pick Ricky Pearsall Jr. said he’s getting more and more comfortable with Purdy after missing the first six games of the season, the result being shot in the chest on Aug. 31. He had seven catches for 84 yards and is looking for more.

“I think from the first game to the second game I already felt a lot more comfortable being out there,” Pearsall said. “I think that’s going to continue to improve and I’m going to get faster and faster.”

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Pearsall had mixed emotions about the bye.

“It was good to go back to Arizona and see my family but I’ve only had two games, Pearsall said. “I’m trying to get in a groove.”

NOTABLE

— Edge rusher Nick Bosa (hip) went through drills with his teammates but adjourned to the weight area during the media viewing period and was listed as a limited participant.

Others who were limited included guard/center Jon Feliciano (knee), defensive end Yatur Gross-Matos (knee), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (rib, oblique), running back Jordan Mason (shoulder), place kicker Jake Moody (ankle) and punter Mitch Wishnowsky (back).

Safety Malik Mustapha was added to the injury report as a limited participant with a calf injury.

Those who did not practice were wide receiver Chris Conley (hamstring), defensive lineman Kevin Givens (groin) and cornerback Charvarius Ward (bereavement).

— Sorensen said it’s going to take some time to see how veteran free safety Tashaun Gipson fits in after being signed to the practice squad. Gipson signed with Jacksonville but had to serve a six-game suspension for violating the policy on performance-enhancing drugs and was released without playing in a game this season.

“We’re just excited to have him back, see how he feels,” Sorensen said. “He hasn’t done a whole lot, so we’ll just kind of figure it out as we go.”

— Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield missed practice with a toe injury for the second straight day but told reporters “I’ll be good to go by Sunday.”

Monterey meeting on board approvals splits council

The Monterey City Council held a tense meeting on Tuesday, discussing recommendations for several boards and commissions, including the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee.

The council voted 3-1 to approve the recommendations made by Mayor Tyller Williamson and Vice Mayor Kim Barber, with council member Ed Smith in the minority. Councilman Alan Haffa attended the meeting virtually, but abstained from the vote due to him having technical difficulties during the staff report and council discussion.

During the council discussion, Smith said he received a call from one of the candidates who claimed to have an unfair interview. The candidate was identified as Monique Kaldy, candidate for Monterey mayor. Smith said because Tuesday was Election Day and because of the complaint, the council should come back to the discussion next meeting.

“I did hear from one community member, that there was a technical problem with having a complete interview, so I think it’s being judicious to postpone this and come back within two weeks to have this consideration,” said Smith.

In Tuesday’s agenda, city staff reported that because Kaldy was a candidate for the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Appeals Board, as well as running for mayor, Barber would handle all of the interviews where Kaldy applied. Barber said all the interviewees were asked the same questions.

“There was an audio issue,” Barber said. “So I asked if we could use the chat.”

The vice mayor added that during the interview process no issues were brought to her attention, and this was the first time she was hearing about an issue. Williamson agreed, saying he was concerned with how the issue was brought up, and wasn’t sure how to proceed unless the council voted for it.

“I’m not sure about the technical issue, it sounds like it wasn’t addressed to the council or the person that interviewed,” Williamson said. “So I guess I have some concerns into how the complaint was submitted.”

Kaldy also spoke during public comment.

“My interview was not conducted thoroughly,” Kaldy said. “My concern is that this problem goes larger than myself, and others were not given a sufficient interview.”

During public comment, several people asked why there were representatives for military neighborhoods in Monterey. Citizens said these representatives have not been present in the past and asked for clarification on the process for adding neighborhoods.

City Manager Hans Uslar’s reply was terse, explaining the city had followed all of the proper steps and prioritized transparency.

“The NCIP manual was updated on Sept. 7, 2021, including a neighborhood map that shows the military neighborhoods, so they are entitled to representation on the NCIP Committee and all of the committee was notified in 2021 when it was approved,” Uslar said. “We always have challenges, like when Downtown wanted to be a neighborhood.”

The council wanted to end the meeting close to 6 p.m. to allow people to vote, or attend other Election Night duties. Smith made a motion to approve all of the recommendations except for the two boards where Kaldy applied, Parks and Recreation and the Appeals Board, and to table the discussion until Nov. 19.

The council was also slated to vote on authorizing the finance director to appropriate $210,000 from the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program ending balance account to the El Estero Park playground equipment upgrade. However, the council voted unanimously to table to discussion until the next council meeting Nov. 19, to allow more people to be able to participate in public comment.

President-elect Trump names Susie Wiles as chief of staff, first woman in the post

By ZEKE MILLER, MICHELLE L. PRICE and JILL COLVIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has named Susie Wiles, the defacto manager of his victorious campaign, as his White House chief of staff, the first woman to hold the influential role.

Wiles is widely credited within and outside Trump’s inner circle for running what was, by far, his most disciplined and well-executed campaign, and was seen as the leading contender for the position. She largely avoided the spotlight, even refusing to take the mic to speak as Trump celebrated his victory early Wednesday morning. She resisted the formal title of campaign manager, avoiding becoming a target, given Trump’s history of cycling through people in that role.

Wiles’ hire is Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration, as he must quickly build the team that will help run the massive federal government. Wiles doesn’t bring much federal government experience to the role, but has a close relationship with the president-elect.

On the campaign, Wiles was able to do what few others have been able to: help control Trump’s impulses — not by chiding him or lecturing, but by earning his respect and showing him that he was better off when he followed her advice than flouting it.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump brings Susie Wiles to the podium at an election night watch party Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Eight years ago, Trump tossed the careful planning of his transition team and instead hired a motley assortment of campaign aides, family members and Republican insiders who spent the better part of his first year in office engaged in infighting that dominated news coverage of the new administration. It was what many experts consider a foundational mistake that hamstrung a president who was new to Washington and government upon his swearing in.

Trump went through four chiefs of staff — including one who served in an acting capacity for a year — during his first administration, part of a record-setting personnel churn. Many top aides were cast out by Trump in his first term, who resented being made to feel managed or condescended to, while others got caught up in ideological spats within the factionalized West Wing.

Trump aides see hope that Wiles’ selection marks a sign that the president-elect is aiming to build a more cohesive team, though one that will almost certainly remain less conventional than his Democratic or Republican predecessors.

Trump, who promised in 2016 to hire “only the best people” has since repeatedly said that he believes the biggest mistake of his first term was hiring the wrong people. He was new to Washington then, he has said, and didn’t know any better. But now, Trump said, he knows the “best people” and those to avoid for roles in his administration.

“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again,” Trump said in a statement. “It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”

Successful chiefs of staff serve as the president’s confidant, help execute a president’s agenda and balance competing political and policy priorities. They also tend to serve as a gatekeeper, helping determine whom the president spends his time with and whom he speaks to — an effort Trump chafed under inside the White House.

The chief of staff is “absolutely critical to an effective White House,” said Chris Whipple, whose book “The Gatekeepers” details how the White House chief of staff role shapes and defines a presidency. “At the end of the day the most important thing is telling the president what he doesn’t want to hear.”

“On the plus side, she’s shown that she can manage Trump, that she works with him and can sometimes tell him hard truths, and that’s really important,” said Whipple. “On the minus side, she really has no White House experience and hasn’t really worked in Washington in 40 years. And that’s a real disadvantage.”

Wiles is a longtime Florida-based Republican strategist who ran Trump’s campaigns in the state in 2016 and 2020, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ successful bid for office in 2018. Before that, she ran Rick Scott’s 2010 campaign for Florida governor and briefly served as the manager of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman’s 2012 presidential campaign.

Wiles also worked in the offices of former Jacksonville mayors John Delaney and John Peyton.

Chris LaCivita, who along with Wiles served as de-facto campaign manager, described Wiles as someone who is inclusive in conversations, who seeks input from others and is steadfastly loyal.

“Susie is just functionally built differently because she has that rare commodity to be able to work on so many different important issues simultaneously,” LaCivita told The Associated Press.

Wiles was the one who was tasked with having the toughest discussions with Trump and on every pivotal conversation. She worked well with his family and developed relationships with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk that put her in position as a key conduit for Trump’s budding alliances with those men.

“She can manage really any ego that comes her way,” LaCivita said. “And she doesn’t do it by any other way other than just being very straightforward and on top of the details.”

He added: “The most important commodity in politics is honesty and loyalty and Susie has both in copious amounts.”

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“She’s incredible. Incredible,” he said at a Milwaukee rally earlier this month,

At a rally in Pennsylvania where Trump made one of his last appearances before the election, he launched into a profane and conspiracy-laden speech. Wiles was spotted standing offstage and appearing to glare at him.

Later, at a rally in Pittsburgh, Trump seemed to acknowledge his adviser’s’ efforts to keep him on message.

After complaining that men aren’t allowed to call a woman “beautiful” any longer, he asked if he could strike that word from the record. “I’m allowed to do that, aren’t I, Susan Wiles?” he mused.

Buster Posey prioritizing shortstop in SF Giants’ offseason plans

Buster Posey understands the value of a good shortstop.

For nearly his entire playing career, Posey shared the field alongside Brandon Crawford, whose elite defense made him the Giants’ best shortstop of the modern era. As Posey starts his tenure as San Francisco’s president of baseball operations, finding his shortstop of the future is, unsurprisingly, one of his top priorities.

“If we could find a shortstop that’d be great,” Posey told reporters at the GM Meetings in San Antonio this week. “Tyler Fitzgerald did a great job at short last year. I think he has value and in multiple spots on the field. I do think it’s hard to play multiple spots at the same time during the season. Whether he’d be better suited to play second base long-term is a discussion we’re having.”

At a glance, Fitzgerald played well enough as a rookie to enter next year as the favorite for starting shortstop, hitting 15 homers, stealing 17 bases and posting an .831 OPS over 96 games. But there are some concerns with Fitzgerald under the hood, namely in his strikeout rate (31.7%) and below-average exit velocity (22nd percentile). Following a year where he played every position except pitcher, catcher and right field, San Francisco could potentially use Fitzgerald in a super-utility role.

As far as Marco Luciano? Following a rocky season where he was a below-average hitter (.562 OPS) and below-average defender (-3 defensive runs saved at shortstop) while bouncing between San Francisco and Triple-A Sacramento, the 23-year-old’s future will be in the outfield, according to Posey. Luciano has exclusively played either second base or shortstop in the majors and minors.

The most straightforward route to acquiring a shortstop is the free-agent market, where the two biggest names are Willy Adames and Ha-Seong Kim. Adames is set up to receive the bigger deal of the two, likely in the neighborhood of Matt Chapman’s six-year, $151 million extension. The payday will be well earned.

In a golden age of shortstops, Adames, 29, has quietly been one of baseball’s best over the last half-decade, ranking ninth among all shortstops in WAR (20.1, per FanGraphs). Last season with the Brewers, Adames put up career-highs in games played (161), homers (32), RBIs (112), steals (21) and WAR (4.8). His defense rated oddly poorly last season (-16 defensive runs saved, zero outs above average), but year-to-year aberrations are not uncommon.

If Adames doesn’t sign with the Giants, there’s a strong possibility he could still land in the NL West. The Dodgers, unsurprisingly, have been linked to Adames, and following a billion-dollar offseason that resulted in a World Series title, Los Angeles is poised to flex its financial muscle yet again.

While Adames stands to receive nine figures, Kim enters free agency at an interesting juncture. Kim, 29, underwent labrum surgery on his right shoulder in October that will likely sideline the former San Diego Padre until late April or early May, which will likely impact the contract he gets this offseason.

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The majority of Kim’s value stems from his defense and baserunning. Over his four-year major-league career, Kim has accumulated 48 defensive runs saved — 24 at shortstop, 15 at second base, nine at third base — and 78 steals. Combine his glove and speed with a slightly above-average bat (103 OPS+ from 2022-24) and Kim represents an upgrade.

The Giants have several factors working in their favor as far as recruiting Kim. For one, Kim and Jung Hoo Lee were teammates in Korea, and Lee has voiced his desire to play alongside Kim in the States. Kim played under Giants manager Bob Melvin in 2022 and ‘23 as well.

If Posey and new general manager Zack Minasian are unable to acquire a shortstop through free agency, the next-best avenue is through the trade market. But as things stand, the market for available shortstops appears very thin.

Entering the offseason, the Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette stood out as a trade option after being the subject of rumors before last season’s trade deadline. Bichette played just 81 games in 2024 due to injuries, but the 26-year-old has been one of baseball’s better hitting shortstops (.798 OPS) when healthy. Bichette, though, likely won’t be going anywhere as Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins told MLB Network’s Jon Morosi that his answer to any trade inquiries on Bichette would be “an easy no.”

Additional notes

Michael Schwartze, the Giants’ director of analytics under former president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, is joining the Atlanta Braves. Pete Putila, San Francisco’s GM in 2022 and 2023, recently joined the Braves as well.Of Blake Snell, agent Scott Boras said, “The Snelling salts have created a lot of whiffs. The market has definitely awakened to Blake Snell.” Snell opted out of his contract and became a free agent after one year with the Giants.

VTC, EAH Housing project in Marina nears completion

MARINA – One of the most anticipated housing developments in Marina is nearing completion, providing homeless veterans a place to call home, and welcoming its first residents in January.

Veterans Transition Center Chief Executive Officer Kurt Schake said “it’s a real joy” to see Lightfighter Village nearing completion.

Lightfighter Village, the three-story, 71-unit housing structure on 2.3 acres in Marina, is a place homeless veterans will be able to live in perpetuity, with no transitional requirements, while they continue to receive case management and access to support services.

“Since 2015, (EAH Housing) has worked in partnership with the city of Marina and Veterans Transition Center of California to bring much needed affordable veteran housing to Monterey County,” said Chief Real Estate Development Officer at EAH Housing Welton Jordan.

The Lightfighter Village is a 100% affordable housing project, and was approved by the city of Marina in November 2018. The project is something that has been planned for about a decade and will increase the Veterans Transition Center’s on-site housing stock by 70%.

Schake pointed out that for the first time, all six of the different housing contracts the VTC has are 100% occupied, “so there is a need to serve more veterans.”

Lightfighter Village is situated on Hayes Circle, within a half-mile of transit, employment, shopping and the Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense outpatient clinic as well as the Veterans Transition Center headquarters at Martinez Hall on what was once the Fort Ord Army base. The military installation was shuttered under the Base Realignment and Closure Act of Congress in 1994. Land from the closed Army base was conveyed to the cities of Marina, Seaside, Monterey, Del Rey Oaks and the County of Monterey.

“Lease-up activities are in progress, now through the end of the year,” said Jordan. “We anticipate move-ins to begin in January 2025.”

Jordan added that a ribbon cutting ceremony is anticipated to take place in the third quarter of 2025.

The Lightfighter Village project, a partnership between the Veterans Transition Center and EAH Housing Inc., was fully funded at about $50 million from a number of sources including National Equity Fund/Local Initiatives Support Corporation Grant, Monterey County — No Place Like Home California Department of Housing Community Development, No Place Like Home Capitalized Operating Subsidy Reserve, California Housing Accelerator Tier 2, Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program, HUD Sec 811 Capital Grant and Federal Home Loan Bank — San Francisco Affordable Housing Program.

The joint effort started with the goal of developing permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans.

EAH Housing is a nonprofit corporation which develops, manages and operates affordable housing for low-income families, older adults and persons with disabilities, special needs or both, in California and Hawaii. It was founded in 1968.

EAH Property Management operates all properties in the EAH development portfolio, according to Jordan, and will be managing Lightfighter Village.

Of the total number of units, 64 will be studio apartments at roughly 415 square feet, and seven two-bedroom units of about 850 square feet, including one manager’s unit. Each unit features energy-efficient appliances, window coverings, and walk-in closets. The structure will include a community room, garden, bike parking, on-site parking, manager’s office, computer lab, a pet wash station, laundry facility, meditation room, fitness room and resident lounges.

Lightfighter Village is pursuing GreenPoint Gold certification, showcasing a strong dedication to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, according to EAH Housing. It is one of three EAH affordable housing developments in Monterey County.

Lightfighter Village is named after the 7th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army that was primarily based at Fort Ord and would be part of the 10 acres of land the Veterans Transition Center uses for its operations including its emergency, transitional permanent housing programs and other services for veterans.

“Thanks to support from the Veterans Transition Center of California and EAH community engagement,” said Jordan, “Lightfighter Village has received widespread support from local stakeholders.”

Pentagon chief presses military to carry out a smooth transition and obey all lawful orders

By TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directed the military on Thursday to carry out a smooth transition to President-elect Donald Trump, with a reminder to the force of its obligation to follow the lawful orders of the next commander in chief.

While such memos are rare, it was not the first time the military’s top civilian leader has pressed the force on its duty to the Constitution in regard to a changeover of control under Trump.

However, in the context of the incoming president’s suggestion that he may use federal forces at the southern border, and Project 2025 plans to force out career civilians and fill positions with Trump loyalists, the Biden administration has taken unusual steps both to try to insulate those civil servants and to remind the military of its own sworn oaths.

“As it always has, the U.S. military will stand ready to carry out the policy choices of its next Commander in Chief, and to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command,” Austin wrote in his letter to Defense Department personnel.

“The U.S. military will also continue to stand apart from the political arena; to stand guard over our republic with principle and professionalism; and to stand together with the valued allies and partners who deepen our security,” he wrote.

Austin reminded all members of the military that they swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution — “and that is precisely what you will continue to do.”

In 2016, the outgoing defense secretary in the Obama administration, Ash Carter, also pressed for an orderly transition after Trump was elected, telling the force he knew it would continue in the tradition of excellence “our citizens know they can expect.”

And when Trump’s Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned in 2018, he urged the force to remain “undistracted from our sworn mission to support and defend the Constitution.”

“Our Department is proven to be at its best when times are most difficult,” Mattis wrote in December 2018, after resigning due to disagreements with Trump over a withdrawal of troops in Syria.

Related ArticlesNational Politics | GOP picks up more key House seats while Democrats insist they still have a path to a majority National Politics | National Politics | A Texas border county backed Democrats for generations. Trump won it decisively National Politics | Putin congratulates Donald Trump on his election victory in first public comments on US vote National Politics | White evangelical voters show steadfast support for Donald Trump’s presidency After the Biden administration, through the Office of Professional Management, issued a new rule in April to further insulate career civil servants from being involuntarily replaced by political appointees, Austin reiterated the Pentagon’s commitment to do the same. In a letter dated July 10, he said civil servants would be shielded “from unlawful or other inappropriate political encroachments.”

The regulations were in response to an executive order Trump issued in 2020 that sought to allow for reclassifying tens of thousands of the 2.2 million federal employees and thus reduce their job security protections, which is expected to re-emerge in the second Trump term. It is unclear what sort of protections that workforce will still have in a new administration, particularly if Trump issues an executive order undoing the protections put in place for those civilian workers under President Joe Biden.

Local football standings: Pacific Coast Athletic League

Pacific Coast Athletic League

Gabilan Division

y-Soquel (7-2), 5-0

yy-Salinas (7-2), 4-1

yy-Monterey (5-4), 4-2

Aptos (5-4), 2-3

Alvarez (3-6), 1-4

Palma (4-5), 1-4

Hollister (4-5), 1-4

Friday’s games

Alvarez vs. Palma at Rabobank, 7:30 p.m.

Salinas at Hollister, 7:30 p.m.

Aptos at Soquel, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s game

Monterey at Seaside, 2 p.m.

Bye: Aptos

y-clinched share of league title

yy-clinched playoff spot

Mission Division North

y-North County (6-3), 4-1

Alisal (4-5), 3-2

Monte Vista (5-4), 3-2

St. Francis (6-3), 3-2

Scotts Valley (3-6), 2-3

Watsonville (4-5), 2-3

Seaside (1-8), 1-5

Friday’s games

Watsonville at North County, 7:30 p.m.

Scotts Valley at Alisal, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s games

Monterey at Seaside, 2 p.m.

St. Francis at Monte Vista, 6 p.m.

y-clinched share of league title

Mission Division South

y-Carmel (9-0), 5-0

yy-North Salinas (7-3), 5-1

Soledad (5-4), 3-2

Pacific Grove (6-3), 3-2

King City (4-5), 2-3

Greenfield (2-7), 0-5

Rancho San Juan (0-9), 0-5

Friday’s games

Pacific Grove vs. Carmel at MPC, 7:30 p.m.

Greenfield at Rancho San Juan, 7:30 p.m.

Soledad at King City, 7:30 p.m.

Bye: North Salinas

y-clinched share of league title

yy-clinched a playoff spot

Santa Lucia Division

y-Stevenson (6-2), 5-0

San Lorenzo Valley (8-1), 4-1

Pajaro Valley (4-5), 3-2

Gonzales (5-4), 3-2

Santa Cruz (2-8), 2-4

Marina (2-7), 1-4

Harbor (1-8), 0-5

Saturday’s games

San Lorenzo Valley at Pajaro Valley, 1 p.m.

Marina at Stevenson, 2 p.m.

Harbor vs. Gonzales at Salinas High, 7 p.m.

Bye: Santa Cruz

y-clinched share of league title

 

Horoscopes Nov. 7, 2024: Lorde, be the one to start conversations

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Lorde, 28; Adam DeVine, 41; David Guetta, 57; Joni Mitchell, 81.

Happy Birthday: Revisit plans and promises. Establish a timeline and map out a route that helps you gain momentum. Be the one to start conversations and set up meetings that show your intent is admirable, not blusterous. It’s out with the old, in with the new, and now is the right time to implement worthwhile changes that encourage you to live your way. Don’t shy away from going the distance; it’s your year to soar. Your numbers are 6, 19, 24, 29, 32, 38, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be open to suggestions, but first consider the source, and only do what feels comfortable and in your best interest. Update your appearance or adjust how you earn or handle your money and lifestyle. A reunion will take you on a trip back in time that encourages a forward-thinking outlook. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Tune in to what and who interests you most. Speak up and share your thoughts and beliefs, and you’ll find your tribe. Joining forces with like-minded people will lead to meaningful connections that influence your life personally and professionally. A partnership looks promising, and romance is in the stars. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take care of situations swiftly. Refuse to let someone interfere in your life, handle your money or answer for you. Create opportunities that suit your needs and protect your reputation from those trying to rewrite history. Define who you are and what you want. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Participation is the name of the game; if you want to win, you have to play. Set high standards and develop a technique that differentiates you from any competition. Don’t fear being different; let your imagination wander and your brilliance shine through. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take advantage of any chance to demonstrate what you can achieve. Show your leadership ability and back your words with action. A passionate display that illustrates honor and integrity will win favors and support, giving you the boost you need to achieve your goal. Romance is favored. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take time to participate in something that excites you. The outcome will encourage you to incorporate more activities into your routine that ease stress and connect you to positive individuals who inspire you. Follow your heart instead of letting others dictate how you live your life. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Refuse to let domestic problems deplete your energy or result in an ultimatum. Surround yourself with upbeat people who offer positive suggestions. A reunion or makeover will brighten your day and give you a chance to reassess what’s best for you. A change of scenery is favored. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A journey will lead to enlightenment. Whether it’s an emotional or physical trip, the outcome will leave you with clarity and the desire to initiate the changes that resonate with your soul. Be open to the universe, and gain insight by observing how others react to you. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Someone will mislead or tempt you; be ready to say no. A quick response will send a warning not to mess with you. Create opportunities that add to your security. A lucrative investment or financial gain is apparent. Keep your eyes open and your reflexes on guard. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A partnership or joint venture will take a turn. Pay attention and refuse to give anyone authority to decide for you. Lowering your overhead, making a residential move or finding another source of income is apparent. Let go of deadweight and do whatever it takes to ease stress. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): An opportunity to incorporate something you enjoy doing into your daily routine will help to ease stress, encourage personal growth, enhance your circle of friends and give you hope for a brighter future. Find new outlets for your skills. Diversification will help harness new opportunities. Romance is favored. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Waffling or giving in to temptation will be a sign of weakness. Refuse to let anyone compromise you mentally, physically or financially. Stand up for yourself and your rights, and make your position clear. Sending a strong message will ensure any changes that transpire are to your liking. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are inspirational, robust and outgoing. You are earnest and dependable.

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.

CCS volleyball playoffs: Palma sweeps Catalina to advance to Division V semifinals

MONTEREY — It has become evident over the last five weeks that this isn’t your ordinarily start-up program. The only thing new at Palma are the girl’s volleyball uniforms.

Fielding girls’ sports for the first time in 60 years or before Title IX existed, the Chieftains are one win away from advancing to the Central Coast Section Division V title game.

While it was forced to wait an extra day after a power outage postponed Tuesday’s quarterfinal match, Palma returned to No. 3 seed Santa Catalina and swept them Wednesday 25-18, 25-17, 27-25.

“It sucked yesterday with the power outage,” Palma coach Ivan Garcia said. “We were already warming up. It wasn’t Catalina’s fault. But we used that as fuel.”

Owners of 11 consecutive wins, the No. 6 seeded Chieftains will travel to No. 2 Crystal Springs Upland (24-4) — who knocked off Castilleja in five sets — on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Hillsborough.

Champions of the West Bay Skyline Division, the Gryphons have won seven straight matches and are 20-2 in their last 22 matches. They did fall to Salinas in two sets in a tournament on Oct. 12.

“I don’t know much about them,” Garcia said. “I’ll do some film watching tonight. We’re going in with the same concept. We are the underdogs. It’s someone else’s home. We can’t underestimate any team. The job isn’t finished.”

Since the return of five starters, who were forced to sit out the first nine matches because of the CIF transfer rules, the Chieftains have gone 11-0 after starting Mission Division play 0-4.

“We faced a little adversity tonight being down our starting libero and team captain,” Garcia said. “Everyone kind of stepped up and did their part. We played hard.”

That would include senior hitter Maya Giannini, who has been arguably the best player in the county since her return, finishing with 24 kills and 10 digs for Palma.

The Cougars, who endured growing pains in the Gabilan Division, finished the season 15-15 under first year coach Israel Ricardez, who took over the program after 14 years at Carmel

“I’m not going to use the word rebuild,” Ricardez said. “I do believe there is talent. This year was about establishing a new culture. I get to walk in here and see the banners. That motivates me. I’m trying to get kids to buy into that mentality.”

The Chieftains (15-5) dominated the first two sets before Santa Catalina showed resilience in the final set, getting to within a point of extending the match.

“They were at game point,” Garcia said. “I took a time out and let them know we didn’t come here twice in two days to give up a set. We want to play on Thursday.”

Reese Amaral added nine kills for the Chieftains. Rachelle Andrade finished with 38 assists and eight digs, while Stellan Cagle had four service aces.

Santa Catalina put a roster on the court all season that included 10 freshman and sophomores. Ricardez will be losing just one senior.

“We have three years to achieve something special,” Ricardez said. “This was a necessary step. Our youth showed up in the wrong way. We made too many unforced errors. There is enough talent to make some noise. Kids were crying. It shows they care.”

Kristen Wong ignited the offense for the Cougars with eight kills, while Aleasha Kalinski and Jac Greenfield each compiled seven. Evelyn Kim finished with 13 digs.

Warriors lean on defense to defeat defending-champion Celtics in hostile territory

BOSTON — The Warriors have talked since training camp in Hawaii about making defense their identity.

Wednesday night in the TD Garden was the night it became true.

The Warriors entered the night with the second best defensive rating in the league, but they’d only taken care of business against lesser teams. The defending champion Celtics, with the best offense in the league even without Kristaps Porzingis (and Jaylen Brown on Wednesday), presented by far their biggest challenge yet.

And Golden State proved its defensive prowess is real.

Andrew Wiggins locked up Jayson Tatum (32 points) for long stretches of the game. The Warriors’ rotations were on-point. Golden State held the Celtics to 16 points in the second quarter and dismal first-half shooting. They recovered from a tough third quarter to clamp down in a back-and-forth fourth.

The Warriors (7-1) held the Celtics to their season-low 112 points, extending their winning streak to five with a 118-112 victory. Steph Curry scored a season-high 27 points and added nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals to upset what’s widely regarded best team in the league.

“Obviously, Boston was without Jaylen Brown and Porzingis, so this is not the best version of their team, but they’re still damn good,” Steve Kerr said postgame. “It’s a hell of a win in a tough environment. We had some guys out, too.”

The game certainly had an intense vibe. Golden State closed out its fourth title in eight years in this building. Boston, after years of routinely playing the Warriors tight, seemed to exorcize their Bay Area demons last year, when they stomped Golden State by 52 here.

There wasn’t an iota of gratitude in the TD Garden crowd for Steve Kerr, who helped lead Team USA — and three Celtics — to Olympic gold this summer. Celtics fans, bereaved at Kerr’s decision to bench and limit Celtics star Jayson Tatum’s playing time in Paris, welcomed the Warriors coach with a chorus of boos. All game, four fans dressed in Tatum USA jerseys sat next to Kerr along the visiting bench.

But the rest of the boos mostly came after foul calls the crowd — and Boston’s bench — took umbrage with.

No regular season game, particularly a November game, should be weighed too much. But the Celtics represented the Warriors’ first true test of the season.

It was ugly early. The Warriors missed ten of their first 11 shots, but Boston didn’t capitalize with the kind of massive first-quarter run they’ve often made this season. They went on a five-minute scoring drought in a sloppy first quarter; Boston shot 31.6% from the floor, while the Warriors shot 29.2%.

Then the Warriors took their first lead of the game with an all-bench unit to start the second. Even without Brandin Podziemski (illness) and De’Anthony Melton (back), Kerr stuck with his full 11-man rotation.

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The Celtics didn’t have Kyle Anderson heat check on their bingo card. To put Golden State ahead, Anderson drilled three 3-pointers in a row. Before that, he was 3-for-16 on the season.

Then the Warriors won the second quarter, 32-16. Moses Moody hauled in an offensive rebound and banked in a runner at the horn to send the Warriors into halftime with a 51-40 lead.

At that point, the Celtics — the most voluminous 3-point shooting team ever — went 6-for-20 from behind the arc and shot 35.1% overall. The Warriors forced them into 10 turnovers, including four from Tatum.

On the defensive end, Wiggins looked like he did in the 2022 NBA Finals. He locked up Tatum in isolation and fought through screens to force contested 3s or long twos. Tatum, who has begun this season on an MVP pace, shot 2-for-7 in the first half.

Draymond Green, who has been terrific this season defensively, constantly mucked up the paint with rotations. On one play, Jrue Holiday beat Curry along the baseline, only for Green to cut him off on the block, allowing Curry to recover and strip Holiday. After the swipe, Curry found Moody in the corner for a 3.

Tatum found a rhythm in the third, scoring 17 points in the quarter. Curry nearly matched him with 11, but the Warriors’ defense that swarmed in the first half suddenly surrendered 41 points — and 10 3-pointers and a swath of second-chance scores.

“The offensive rebounds just killed us,” Kerr said. “That’s how they started knocking down 3s.”

Clinging to an 82-81 lead to start the final quarter, the Warriors brought Curry back in for the final eight minutes. He wasn’t on a minutes restriction like he was in Washington, but in only his second game back from a sprained ankle, 34 minutes was certainly a sign of the Warriors going for it.

When Curry checked in for the fourth quarter, the Warriors trailed by four. He sank three free throws and canned a step-back 3 in the corner, drawing the Warriors back within one. The Warriors’ lineup combinations around him skewed toward defense, which once again slowed Boston.

Curry then finished inside to cap an 11-2 Warriors run before Tatum converted an and-1. After his foul shot, the Warriors led by two with as many minutes left.

A pair of Kevon Looney buckets maintained Golden State’s narrow cushion, then Buddy Hield hit a corner 3, celebrating with Curry as the Warriors pushed its lead to a game-high seven.

The Celtics turned the last two minutes into a free-throw contest, and the Warriors made enough to ice the game. Draymond Green, who struggled with his jump shot on the night, hit three of four in the final minute to cement the win.

Tatum, on an anticipated night in which he could have stuck it to Kerr with a huge performance, bowed his head as he walked back to the home locker room.