Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 36
August 24, 2025
Horoscopes Aug. 24, 2025: Dave Chappelle, a positive attitude will make a difference
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Rupert Grint, 37; John Green, 48; Dave Chappelle, 52; Cal Ripken Jr., 65.
Happy Birthday: A positive attitude will make a difference. Refuse to let frustration build this year when dealing with institutions, government agencies or anyone else. It’s essential to remain calm and offer common sense alternatives to bolster your popularity and build confidence in what you do and who you are. Develop a solid plan and adhere to your commitments. You have plenty to gain if you are forthright and honorable. Your numbers are 4, 16, 23, 27, 32, 38, 42.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Go where the action is and use your insight, discipline and experience to bring about change or to engage in discussions that position you for greater opportunities. A unique approach will seal the deal and put you in a position of power. Use your intuition, creativity and insight to launch something exciting. Partnerships are favored. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Opportunity knocks; receive the message and turn the information into something meaningful. It’s up to you to interpret and react as you see fit. You have plenty to gain through networking, interviewing for jobs and marketing your skills and abilities. Don’t reveal personal information or secrets that may compromise your chances at advancement. 5 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Change requires hands-on help. Don’t expect things to fall into place without your nurturing. You’ll have to walk a fine line and be precise to make headway; however, once you get in the zone and feel comfortable with the results, you’ll find your way forward. Trust your instincts, stamina and charisma. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Know your boundaries, set rules and rethink schedules. Let your emotions guide you when dealing with domestic issues, but not when it comes to financial matters. Use your voice to clarify your position, what you are willing to do and what you expect in return. Stay informed about regulatory rulings that may affect your life. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A strong verbal interaction based on facts and figures will help you win any competition you encounter. Refuse to make changes that will jeopardize your financial position or lifestyle. Look for the best alternative and do the legwork to ensure you come in under budget. Excess and acting in haste are the enemies. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Look at the big picture before you start to redefine how you want to move forward. Consistency is critical if you want to maintain a good reputation. Fine-tune your health and fitness to suit your lifestyle. Develop the strength you need to engage in activities that motivate and facilitate a prosperous future. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Go undercover to do what you’ve got to do. In the solitude, you will discover you have talents you didn’t know you had. Refuse to let outside influences stifle your creativity or lure you down the wrong path. It’s up to you to follow your instincts and to live the life that brings you joy. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Participation will turn into a fabulous learning experience. Embrace conversations with a positive attitude. Listen, share and, most of all, show gratitude and appreciation for what you discover and what others contribute. A change of perspective will encourage you to investigate and research your options. Love and personal growth are in the stars. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Distance yourself from situations before you let your emotions step in and take over. It’s essential to gather the facts and consider every possible outcome before engaging in talks or making assumptions. Direct your energy into honing your skills, improving your lifestyle and exploring ways to increase your income. Avoid unnecessary purchases. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep the momentum flowing. If you limit what you can do, you’ll encounter regret. Pay attention to detail, especially when contracts, investments or medical issues surface. Refuse to let anger set in if something erupts beyond your control. Work with whatever comes your way, and show your true potential. Romance is in the stars. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Let your swagger lead the way, and your insight and intelligence take over. How you handle others, use your money and present yourself, as well as what you can do, will lead to attractive offers and the chance to improve your lifestyle. Discipline and ingenuity are your way forward. Enjoy the ride. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Distance yourself from anyone trying to change or push you in a questionable direction. Focus on your happiness and do something that brings you joy. Personal growth, pampering and self-improvement are favored, along with events that allow you to network or socialize. Use your imagination and let your creativity lead the way. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are articulate, forceful and underestimated. You are imaginative and relentless.
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.
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August 23, 2025
Kurtenbach: Jake Moody’s latest misses should seal his 49ers’ fate
SANTA CLARA — Jake Moody missed another kick on Saturday.
It should be his last miss in a 49ers uniform.
The 49ers kicker pulled a 33-yard extra-point attempt left of the uprights in the Niners’ preseason finale against the Chargers on Saturday, cementing a preseason and training camp where the embattled kicker only invited more questions about why he remained the team’s top kicker.
Yes, Moody made a 59-yard field goal to beat the Raiders last Saturday — a kick that, if you listened to folks with the team, apparently righted all the wrongs of the past year and this preseason.
“I think he showed the moxie he has,” special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said of that game-winning kick in Las Vegas.
Or, to phrase it differently, Moody has a “great personality,” which is what you say when you’re trying to set up a friend with someone who is butt-ugly. (I’m sure I was described that way to my beautiful, out-of-my-league now-wife.)
Moxie? Who cares? There’s only one thing that matters with kickers: making kicks. Moody doesn’t do that often enough.
Did Moody have “moxie” when he put a kickoff eight yards out of bounds in the third quarter, nearly taking out a cheerleader and giving the Chargers the ball at the 40-yard line?
(The fact that Boyer — who was fuming after the bad kickoff — didn’t go full Urban Meyer and kick Moody when they passed each other on the sidelines shows how much of a pro he is.)
“I know he missed an extra point today, which definitely doesn’t make us happy, but we’ll see how it goes in the year,” Shanahan said.
Moody declined to talk with the media after Saturday’s game.
The Niners have been afraid of looking like fools by cutting Moody, a third-round pick from 2023. They would be admitting they made the wrong call when they used pick No. 99 on a kicker.
But the Niners’ front office is too late — far too late — if they’re trying to avoid being laughed at.
Things became so ridiculous on Saturday that the energy in the home crowd rose anytime Moody lined up to kick the ball. His makes were met with raucous, sarcastic cheers.
The people have spoken: The Niners made the wrong call at the end of last season and the beginning of this one. Every mistake Moody makes only further highlights that fact.
Compounding the 49ers’ fear of moving on is the bizarre belief that Moody will sign with another team and look good. After all, he must be so talented if the Niners used that draft capital on him, right?
So instead of finding a kicker that can, you know, make kicks, the Niners decided to continue to suffer through Moody’s poor performances, wasting valuable time to try out other kickers this August, including Greg Joseph, who was signed this offseason for a sham kicking competition that ended weeks ago.
What’s so strange about the Niners’ Moody love is that the team has shown the ability to admit mistakes in the past. Moody was taken just ahead of Cam Latu, pick No. 101 in 2023. Latu, a tight end, was so bad for the Niners that they saw no reason to keep him around after one training camp, putting him on injured reserve without designation to return and then cutting him at the start of the following season.
I guess Latu lacked moxie.
The Niners don’t have to live like this. They aren’t indebted to a kicker.
So let’s name some guys: Matt Prater, Eddy Pineiro, Michael Badgley, Zane Gonzalez, Austin Seibert, and Cade York are all unsigned free agents. A slew of kickers will be released between today and Tuesday’s NFL cut-down day, like the Jets’ Harrison Mevis or the loser of the Panthers’ kicking competition between Matthew Wright (the Niners’ best kicker last season) and rookie Ryan Fitzgerald or the Colts’ between Spencer Shrader and Maddux Trujillo. There are NFL-caliber kickers that spent their past springs in the UFL, including Rodrigo Blankenship and Chris Blewitt. Or, how about Joseph?
And yet the Niners actively decided that keeping Moody was the best way to win games in 2025 for the last nine months, looking for any reason to justify keeping him on the roster.
What has Moody done to deserve such loyalty?
What has he done to repay it?
Related Articles 49ers Studs and Duds: Niners end preseason with more questions than answers 49ers preseason finale: Cue the awards after 30-23 win over Harbaugh’s Chargers Kurtenbach: The 49ers are panic-buying to cover their roster-building mistakes 49ers trade for Washington RB Brian Robinson 49ers 53-man roster projection before preseason finaleMoody spent the last week missing a 53-yard kick in Las Vegas and then barely squeezing in a chip-shot on his next kick. Then he missed from 47 and 53 yards in practice on Thursday, followed by the should-be-fateful missed extra point and errant kickoff Saturday.
So, no, his career was not changed by that 59-yard preseason make.
But his 49ers career should end because of his latest miss.
Moody is, by all accounts, a decent person who does have an NFL-caliber leg. It’s not his fault the Niners errantly decided to make him the fifth kicker taken in the top 100 picks this century, putting undue pressure on him to be not just good, but great.
But forget all that stuff and his so-called moxie. This is professional football — results are all that matter.
This Moody charade should have ended so many times already. If it doesn’t end in the 56 hours between Sunday at 5 a.m. and Tuesday at 1 p.m. — when rosters need to be trimmed — it will be the clearest sign yet that the 49ers’ front office cares more about their egos than winning football games in 2025.
49ers Studs and Duds: Niners end preseason with more questions than answers
SANTA CLARA — Cuts are days away. The season opener is in two weeks. The Niners don’t seem particularly ready for either, but at least the preseason is over.
Here are the studs and duds from Saturday’s exhibition finale, a 30-23 Niners win, which was, more importantly, the last chance for players to show they deserve to play for this team in September
STUDS
Jordan Elliott, DT» It’s hardly ideal that Elliott was playing on Saturday, but if you’re a veteran being asked to play serious snaps in a third preseason game, you might as well make flash plays.
Elliott was a game-wrecker in the middle against the Chargers’ second and third-string offensive lines. If he was on the roster bubble, he should have played his way off it Saturday.
Thomas Morstead, P» His 51-yard punt, his fourth amid eight total punts in the first quarter, was such a beauty that returner Luke Grimm (nominative determinism with his chances to make the roster) couldn’t handle it. The Niners certainly upgraded at punter this offseason.
Tanner Mordecai, QB
» At least one No. 4 had a good game.
The ball started moving when he came in for the injured Connor Bradley. Neither of the quarterbacks we saw Saturday will make the regular-season roster, but Mordecai would be a good practice-squad option for the Niners.
Nick Martin, LB
» He played snaps from scrimmage in the second half (it seems as if first-string special-teams players weren’t asked to go double duty in the first half) and immediately forced a fumble. He also had a great run stop in the backfield. In short, he popped. There are still countless questions bout the rookie linebacker, but there’s no denying that he brings some boom with the bust and has improved throughout training camp. It’s an encouraging trajectory.
Jeff Wilson Jr., RB
» The trade for Brian Robinson had little to do with Wilson, but the Niners have to keep the veteran, right? He looked really good on Saturday.
DUDS
Jake Moody, K
» What are we doing here? He missed another kick Saturday, pulling an extra point left of the uprights. In the third quarter, he put a kickoff so far out of bounds that it nearly took out a cheerleader.
Moody didn’t “win” the kicking competition, and he isn’t worthy of a roster spot. If he hadn’t been picked No. 99 in 2023, he’d already be out the door.
The Niners are issuing a textbook case of the sunk-cost fallacy and are doubling down on it with every game Moody plays.
Saturday must be his last game in a 49ers uniform.
Connor Bradley, QB
» That was a tough watch Saturday. It was even tougher for him to play through, as he was battered and beaten behind a porous offensive line.
Matt Hennessy, C
» The 49ers’ depth center might have put out the worst performances of any player with a chance to make the roster in camp. (At least Moodt made a few.) Saturday was another woeful performance where he failed to block, snap the ball cleanly, or adjust protections (which, to be fair, I doubt the Niners allow him to do). There’s simply no reason for him to make the 53-man roster. If he does, it’s a big red flag heading into the season.
Isaac Guerendo, RB
» The Niners issued a vote of no-confidence in the second-year Louisville product on Friday, when the team traded for running back Brian Robinson.
Guerendo made the Niners look oh-so-smart with his performance Saturday. Guerendo might be a weapon in outside zone runs, but in an offense that’s going to run more gap-scheme runs and inside zone, it’s clear that No. 31 lacks the vision and tight-window running ability necessary to show off his prodigious running talent.
To his credit, Guerendo did have a nice special teams play to cap the first quarter, leading the coverage unit down the field, but then he injured his shoulder on the play. He returned and continued to do little.
Skyy Moore, WR
» An ugly drop, questionable punt returns. He had one nice kick return, but Moore hardly impressed in his 49ers debut. Junior Bergen couldn’t do that?
Junior Bergen, WR
» Oh, I guess he couldn’t. Bergen muffed a fourth-quarter punt in the most emphatic of ways. At least he’ll be easy to get onto the practice squad, now. That’s if the Niners even want to bother keeping him around.
Evan Anderson, DT
» He’s a serviceable player, but you can’t pick up two flags in a preseason game when you’re on the roster bubble. Do the Niners have enough bodies to knock him off the 53?
Drake Nugent, C
» The Niners tried him at center again after a surprisingly impressive stint at guard, and he almost allowed Bradley to be killed on a blitz from linebacker Marlowe Wax. For a team that’s looking for answers on the interior of the offensive line, he missed his opportunity this preseason to prove that he is one.
WR coach Leonard Hankerson and the 49ers’ offensive coaching staff
» How many illegal formation penalties did the Niners have Saturday? I lost count after four. I understand the field was littered with soon-to-be cut players and new guys, but San Francisco’s sloppy play did little to discourage the idea that this team isn’t ready for Week 1.
Casey Schmitt’s big day in Milwaukee helps SF Giants snap four-game losing streak
Facing one of the top pitchers in the majors, the Giants proved that sometimes, patience can be the solution to a problem in their 7-1 victory over the Brewers.
For five scoreless innings on Saturday evening, San Francisco flailed against Freddy Peralta (15-5), the National League’s leader in wins.
The 29-year-old was a bit erratic but still effective. He issued four walks but also allowed only two hits and struck out six, keeping pace with Logan Webb in a classic pitcher’s duel.
But with the Giants’ bats struggling against Peralta, Brewers manager Pat Murphy gave the Giants a major break by yanking his ace after 96 pitches.
With Grant Andersen on the mound and facing a 1-0 deficit, the Giants (62-68) took advantage of some hittable pitches – and a handful of errors – to jump all over Milwaukee (81-49). Casey Schmitt, starting at second, drove in four runs.
Willy Adames, who received another standing ovation before his first at-bat in his old stomping grounds, got on first to lead off the sixth inning after Andruw Monasterio committed an error.
Following Dominic Smith’s single, Schmitt tied the game with a double to left.
Then the red-hot Luis Matos got on base thanks to another error by corner infielder Anthony Seigler, allowing Smith and Schmitt to score and give the Giants a 3-1 lead. Matos had two hits and now has six overall in three games since being called up from Sacramento.
Schmitt padded the lead with a three-run 382-foot homer to center in the seventh, his ninth long ball of the season, and Patrick Bailey got his second hit of the night to give the Giants a 7-1 lead.
One of San Francisco’s top bats participated in the offensive explosion. After being on the injured list for the past 10 days with right-hand inflammation, Matt Chapman was back starting at third base and drew two walks.
“He’s the leader … having him back there on the field just makes us that much better,” Schmitt said on the NBC broadcast.
With their aces on the mound, runs were hard to come by for each team early on. Caleb Durbin doubled in Milwaukee teammate Jake Bauers in the second inning to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead.
It was not until Peralta was pulled after five innings that the San Francisco offense found its footing against the top team in the National League.
That put Webb in line to get the win after he threw six innings and allowed five hits and had six strikeouts. He improved to 12-9 on the season.
If the Giants can knock off the Brewers on Sunday, they will win a series for the first time since Aug. 6 against the Pirates. Robbie Ray is expected to pitch for San Francisco.
Fitzgerald sent down
To make room for Chapman, the Giants sent Tyler Fitzgerald back down to Sacramento. He was just 2 of 19 at the plate since being recalled from Triple-A on Aug. 12 while splitting time between his natural second base position and right field.
49ers preseason finale: Cue the awards after 30-23 win over Harbaugh’s Chargers
SANTA CLARA – True, the Lombardi Trophy will be handed out at Levi’s Stadium at season’s end in Super Bowl LX.
So what do the 49ers get for finishing out the preseason here with a 30-23 win Saturday night over the Los Angeles Chargers? Well, beyond more Jake Moody drama?
The Niners did do enough to merit accolades (for better, for worse), and we’ll get to those in a few graphs, once you learn this about the preseason finale:
— The 49ers sat all their projected Week 1 offensive starters Saturday but did enlist a few would-be starters on Robert Saleh’s rebuilt defense, including cornerback Renardo Green’s preseason debut and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott.
— Not in action was running back Brian Robinson Jr., who did pass a physical Saturday to complete a trade from the Washington Commanders that should be officially announced Sunday, a source said. “We brought him here to be our No. 2 back. Always been a big fan,” Shanahan said.
— A pair of high-profile former 49ers, coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Trey Lance, returned to Levi’s Stadium with the Chargers, along with two familiar assistants in NaVorro Bowman (linebackers coach) and Greg Roman (offensive coordinator).
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh gestures while walking along the sideline in the first quarter of their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)Now let’s review what the 49ers get out of this preseason, plus joint practices that preceded their first two exhibitions:
WORST ENCORE: One week after Moody got hoisted in the air by jubilant teammates for a 59-yard winning field goal in Las Vegas, he missed his first point-after kick (wide left) on Saturday. He made his next one, but then he booted the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, leaving Kyle Shanahan with a melancholy look.
Said Shanahan: “He had one of the best games I’ve ever seen a guy have last week. I know he missed an extra point today, which definitely doesn’t make us happy, but we’ll see how it goes in the year.”
Moody declined comment at his locker, telling the Bay Area News Group he had to get treatment. He made a 38-yarder to tie the score at 16, but Shanahan eschewed a 39-yard, go-ahead attempt with 6 1/2 minutes remaining. Three days earlier, Moody missed his final two field-goal attempts in practice, including a 55-yard try off the right upright.
BEST COMEBACK: Kudos to Curtis Robinson for returning an interception 32 yards for a go-ahead touchdown with 6:15 left. He tore an anterior cruciate ligament in practice last September on the cusp of a promotion to the starting lineup. His first game action came a week ago and he delivered a big hit on special teams.
Robinson said of his first-ever pick-six: “It is a blur, but when I got to the sideline, my parents were right behind the bench, talking to Johnny (Holland, the linebackers coach), and that’s when everything settled. It was an accumulation of all the work from the beginning, and even camp just working through stuff. It was really cool.”
SKYY MOORE’S DEBUT: Shanahan said Skyy Moore made a good debut after being acquired in a trade from Kansas City. Moore had three punt returns (for 16 yards), three receptions (for 19 yards) and a 26-yard kick return. “It’s a fresh start in a new city with a new team,” Moore said. “I can put the fun back in the game, not that I lost it. But it’s another adventure.”
Moore’s roster spot is likely secure, seeing how Jacob Cowing is expected out at least six weeks with a hamstring tear, not to mention Junior Bergen muffing a punt return Saturday.
MOST NOSTALGIC MOMENT: Niners legends Frank Gore and Patrick Willis reunited with Harbaugh and talked for over 10 minutes in pregame warmups, after Harbaugh put on his blue gloves to catch passes as the Chargers coach. Willis earlier met up with Harbaugh’s linebackers coach, NaVorro Bowman, who formed the NFL’s best linebacker tandem with Willis from 2011-14.
SECOND-BEST NOSTALGIA: Terique Owens, son of Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, scored his first professional touchdown, a 22-yard reception with 3:12 remaining on a pass from Carter Bradley, son of 49ers assistant head coach Gus Bradley. T.O. (the elder) had 153 regular-season touchdowns, third in NFL history behind Jerry Rice (197) and Randy Moss (156).
“He texted me before the game. It was a video of his first touchdown,” Terique Owens said of his dad, whose career began with the 49ers in 1996. “It will be a crazy feeling just to call him and obviously talk about it. … He was like, ‘I’m ready for yours.’ It’s kind of crazy I got mine tonight. I was ready for the opportunity.”
PURDY IS PREPPED: Brock Purdy’s preseason consisted of one drive, an 11-play sequence that yielded a field goal a week ago in Las Vegas. Saturday, he popped sunflower seeds and wore a T-shirt and cap next to George Kittle on the sideline, while the 49ers shuffled QBs from Carter Bradley (ankle) to Tanner Mordecai.
Purdy has looked in full command this training camp, as you’d expect from a $265 million investment, although attrition at wide receiver could impact rhythm and timing in the coming month. Purdy’s only hiccup came in the opening drives of a joint practice against the feisty Denver Broncos.
SAFE AND SANE: Running back Christian McCaffrey, left tackle Trent Williams, defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner did not play in the preseason, nor should they have. Neither did …
THIRD-AND-NO-JAUAN: Jauan Jennings didn’t play in the preseason but is expected to return from a calf injury and be available for the season opener, Shanahan said. Jennings vanished from practice after a July 27 aggravation of a calf injury tracing to his absence in last year’s camp.
Jennings understandably wants an extension of a contract set to expire in March, and a social-media post Saturday perhaps hinted at increased frustration. Word came before camp that he’d seek a trade if he didn’t get paid. Shanahan vouched for Jennings’ calf issue, and general manager John Lynch said Thursday it’s best if Jennings gets on the field soon — similar to how the 49ers egged Brandon Aiyuk to snap his holdout a year ago.
San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody (4) misses the extra point against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second quarter of their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)IMPACTFUL INJURIES: The only projected starter injured in preseason action was right guard Dominick Puni, with a right-knee sprain last week in Vegas.
Later that game, quarterback Mac Jones sustained a minor knee injury, and running backs Corey Kiner (ankle) and Patrick Taylor Jr. (shoulder) headed for Injured Reserve. In this finale, Isaac Guerendo aggravated a right-shoulder issue but played through it (eight carries, 13 yards in the first half); rookie cornerback Jakob Robinson sustained a fractured forearm.
DRAFTEES DELAYED: Knee injuries in joint practices sidelined defensive linemen Mykel Williams and C.J. West. Also injured among the 11-man draft class are cornerback Upton Stout (calf), wide receiver Jordan Watkins (ankle), running back Jordan James (finger surgery) and quarterback Kurtis Rourke (knee). Shanahan said he’s expecting to get Williams, James and Stout back when practice resumes Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
San Francisco 49ers’ Demarcus Robinson (5) catches a touchdown pass in the second quarter of their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)FOND FAREWELL: Demarcus Robinson, with a three-game suspension likely awaiting him, caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Mordecai for Saturday’s initial points. Robinson has looked like a starting-caliber receiver through camp alongside Ricky Pearsall, who did not suit up Saturday.
The NFL has not officially announced Robinson’s suspension for his no-contest DUI charge, although Shanahan said the 49ers are operating as if he’ll miss three games unless an appeal nixes that. “I’m just waiting on it and for everything to unfold for Week 1,” Robinson said.
MOST SURPRISING ROOKIE: Marques Sigle is next in a line of fifth-round steals by Lynch. Sigle initially was a surprise starter in the preseason, first paired with veteran Jason Pinnock before Ji’Ayir Brown replaced Pinnock (heel) for the final two preseason games. Sigle’s speed is a new, needed concept for this defense.
BEST LAST-MINUTE INTERCEPTION: Jaylen Mahoney dove for a last-minute theft to set up Jake Moody’s game-winning 59-yard field goal in Vegas.
BEST DEFENSIVE CALL: Mahoney’s late-game heroics aside, go back to the preseason opener and recall that aspiring nickel back Chase Lucas’ blitz resulted in a safety against the Broncos.
BEST OFFENSIVE PLAY: Purdy’s first three passes last Saturday were completed to Pearsall, the last of which resulted in a 21-yard gain over the middle for a third-and-18 conversion.
HARDEST HIT: Linebacker Tatum Bethune on Raiders rookie rusher Ashton Jeanty. Bethune filled in so well for Warner as the middle linebacker through two games that he could push Dee Winters for the weak-side starting spot or Luke Gifford as the strong-side backer.
Rookie Nick Martin also could be in the starting mix after his big hits, including Saturday’s forced fumble in the third quarter. “Technique wise, I’ve grown a lot. I saw things I needed to work on and I still have a lot of room to grow,” Martin said. “I needed to get my feet in the grass and get that feel back. I’m trending in that direction.”
OH CAPTAIN: Lance was among the Chargers’ five captains Saturday; the 49ers were Brown, Spencer Burford, and Luke Gifford. Lance started and went 5-of-8 for 38 yards over three series; he overthrew his initial third-down pass after interior pressure by Jordan Elliott and blitzing linebacker Chazz Surratt.
Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News GroupSan Francisco 49ers’ Trevis Gipson (56) breaks up a pass as he swats the arm of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance (5) in the first quarter of their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)BIGGEST SCOOP: Kittle broke news during camp when he crashed a national network’s broadcast to relay how the NFL is banning smelling salts. It was later clarified that teams could not distribute those eye openers, but players still can supply themselves.
WISEST QUOTE: Mykel Williams, on if he really asked Trent Williams to borrow his private jet for a summer vacation to Cabo San Lucas: “Yeah I did. I did. My pops told me a while ago, ‘Closed mouths don’t get fed.’ “
Related Articles Kurtenbach: Jake Moody’s latest misses should seal his 49ers’ fate 49ers Studs and Duds: Niners end preseason with more questions than answers Kurtenbach: The 49ers are panic-buying to cover their roster-building mistakes 49ers trade for Washington RB Brian Robinson 49ers 53-man roster projection before preseason finaleREALIST QUOTE: Trent Williams, on CBS-5 San Francisco’s broadcast in Saturday’s second quarter: “Preseason expectations are really pointless. They really work against you. I go back and look at the Washington Commanders (last preseason), and nobody expected them to be in the NFC Championship. We’re in that same position. We had a down year and everybody is down on us. That’s cool. That’s exactly where we want to be, honestly.”
Liza Horvath, Senior Advocate: Family dynamics and the aging parent
Dear Readers: This column originally ran in 2013 but is still relevant today. The dynamics of family and the aging parent can present challenges. It is always best to think ahead and do the best possible planning.
It may not be surprising, but seniors and their children do not always get along. These “children” may have long ago outgrown their challenging teen years but some topics, although extremely important, can be sensitive and difficult to discuss for both the senior and the child.
Older parents can be fiercely independent and, so long as they are capable of safely addressing their daily living needs, their independence should be honored. However, when a parent or older friend reaches a point where driving, taking medications as prescribed or handling finances cannot be done safely, someone needs to step in to help. Children often fail to intercede and a resulting injury, whether physical or financial, can be devastating.
Sometimes children are in denial that a parent is “slipping,” or the changes may come on so gradually that the child fails to realize that the senior has become a danger to themselves or others. Also, there is a fine line between helping and intruding. Taking away a senior’s driver’s license too early can be emotionally shattering and the same is true of relieving a parent of financial management. So, what is the best way that aging seniors can responsibly address declining capabilities and, if the senior is reluctant to do so on their own, how can children help?
First, aging adults must be realistic and recognize that a day may come when they cannot see well enough to drive or that cognitive capabilities are diminishing – and they need to plan accordingly. Aside from the documents (Advance Health Directive, wills or other legal writings), seniors should consider having an agreement with a child or a respected friend to let them know if they have reached a point where it is no longer safe to drive or that it may be time to seek help with finances. The agreement must be made with someone that the senior trusts and that they will listen to when the time comes.
Surfacing a discussion about capacity and end of life planning by a child can be tricky. Some parents may react with anger leading to accusations that the child is just looking out for their inheritance. Also, if the senior has several children and one child begins the discussion independent of the other children, the other children may become suspicious about the intentions behind the discussion. For this very reason it is best for seniors to consider the possibility that they may not always be able to address all their needs and initiate planning.
Besides driving, medication and finances, seniors should consider their surroundings. Make sure your stairways, hallways and bathrooms are free from tripping hazards because even the healthiest senior is prone to slips or falls. If you do need help at some point, it may begin with having someone come in to help with shopping, cooking and light housekeeping. Later you may need more advanced help with personal needs such as bathing or changing clothes. Take the initiative and realistically consider your options, then plan accordingly. Also, make an agreement with a child or trusted friend that if they see that you need help, they will tell you – and then make a promise to them – and to yourself – that you will listen.
Liza Horvath has over 30 years of experience in the estate planning and trust fields and is a licensed professional fiduciary. Liza currently serves as president of Monterey Trust Management. This is not intended to be legal or investment advice. If you have a question, call (831) 646-5262 or email liza@montereytrust.com
“The oceans are choking on plastic:” Environmentalists, lawmakers urge Newsom not to weaken plastic pollution law
A coalition of environmental groups and state lawmakers on Tuesday called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to put in place tougher rules to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans and across California’s landscape, five months after he halted proposed new regulations that plastics companies opposed.
At a news conference outside the state Capitol building featuring a large pile of plastic food containers, bubble wrap and other used plastic packaging, the environmentalists said Tuesday that under industry pressure, the Newsom administration has weakened proposed rules that the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, known as CalRecycle, drafted after he signed a landmark law, SB 54, three years ago.
That first-in-the-nation law set targets to force companies to use less plastic in packaging at supermarkets, retail stores and other outlets, and to pay to recycle and recover much of it — costs that are now shouldered mostly by cities and taxpayers through municipal recycling programs.
“The oceans are choking on plastic,” said Tara Brock, an attorney with Oceana, an environmental group with offices in Monterey and Sacramento. “An estimated 33 billion pounds of plastic enter the marine environment each year. That’s equivalent to two garbage trucks dumping plastic into the ocean every minute. The impact on the environment and our communities cannot be overstated.”
In March, Newsom halted new draft regulations that CalRecycle had drawn up after two years of public meetings and studies.
At the time, Newsom’s former director of that department, Rachel Wagoner, had become California director for one of the industry groups lobbying for more flexibility in the rules. That industry group, the Circular Action Alliance, is a coalition of food, beverage and retail companies including Amazon, Coca Cola, General Mills, Kraft-Heinz, Nestle, Proctor and Gamble, Target, and WalMart. Wagoner also worked previously as Newsom’s deputy legislative secretary.
The industry alliance said the new rules could cost $300 per family per year.
Two months later, CalRecycle issued new rules in May which were less stringent.
On Tuesday, Newsom’s office said he is trying to strike a balance.
“Governor Newsom was clear when he asked CalRecycle to restart these regulations that they should work to minimize costs for small businesses and families,” said Daniel Villaseñor, a Newsom spokesman. “These rules are a step in the right direction — while ensuring California’s bold recycling law can achieve its goal of cutting plastic pollution. We look forward to continued public engagement.”
Foam cups for customers are pictured at the coffee counter of a donut shop in Monterey Park, California in December 2024. A coalition of environmental groups and state lawmakers on Tuesday called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to put in place tougher rules to reduce plastic pollution. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)The industry alliance did not respond immediately Tuesday to a request for comment. But in March, another industry group, the Plastics Industry Association, praised Newsom’s move to rewrite the rules.
“Achievable, balanced policies require collaboration, not rushed regulations that create unintended consequences for Californians,” said Matt Seaholm, president and CEO of the association.
Supporters of the original rules oppose several key changes. Among them: allowing over-the-counter medications to be exempt, more exemptions for agricultural products, and to allow chemical processes that break down plastics to count as recycling.
On Tuesday a coalition of 33 environmental organizations, including Save the Bay, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Surfrider Foundation, Californians Against Waste, and San Francisco Baykeeper sent a letter to Newsom and Yana Garcia, the secretary of the state Environmental Protection Agency, urging stronger plastic rules.
“Facilities operating solvent-based and thermal processes are marketed as “chemical recycling” or “advanced recycling,” the letter said, “but in practice, most of them are not recycling at all. At best, they are a new euphemism for an old and dirty practice: incineration.”
Plastic waste has become one of the world’s major environmental problems.
Less than 10% of plastics is recycled in the United States every year. Millions of tons from countries all over the world end up in the ocean, where it kills fish, birds, sea turtles, whales and dolphins that eat it or become entangled by it.
Making plastic consumes large amounts of petroleum products, which contributes to climate change. And it can last hundreds of years.
In 2022, after several years of debate in Sacramento, state lawmakers passed and Newsom signed a landmark plastics law, SB 54. That law required plastics and packaging companies to shoulder much of the burden for addressing the growing mountains of plastic waste. By 2032, they were required to reduce single-use plastic packaging by 25% and guarantee that 65% is recyclable and 100% either recyclable or compostable.
They could do that by funding recycling programs, reducing the amount of plastic in their packaging, or changing the types of plastics they used.
The law also banned polystyrene food containers like cups, plates and clamshell boxes, commonly known as Styrofoam, statewide, effective Jan. 1 of this year. Environmentalists say the Newsom administration has been slow to enforce that new prohibition, however, and that some products are still found on store shelves.
Frustrated with slow action on the plastics issue, environmental groups qualified a statewide ballot measure in 2022 to impose a 1-cent tax on each plastic package — from Advil bottles to plastic strawberry boxes at supermarkets — with the $1.2 billion it would have raised from industry going to expand state recycling programs.
However, they withdrew the measure in a compromise with industry and lawmakers to get SB 54 passed. Some environmental groups say if the Newsom administration doesn’t pass sufficiently strong regulations to implement the law, they will consider filing lawsuits or placing the same measure on the 2026 ballot.
“We have multiple tools in the tool box and we are going to look at every one,” said Mark Murray, executive director of Californians Against Waste, a recycling advocacy group.
‘Producing what the community needs,’ a conversation with CSUMB’s president
Since Vanya Quiñones joined Cal State Monterey Bay as president three years ago, the university has come out of a seven-year enrollment slump, navigated a system-wide budget crisis and landed atop some of the most prestigious nationwide rankings.
Yet, the university still faces some challenges, such as a housing shortage, fueled by its rising enrollment.
Quiñones, the university’s fourth president, is confident the school will overcome that obstacle and is well on its way to meeting its overall mission goals. She recently sat down with The Herald to reflect on her three years as the school’s president.
CSUMB’s mission“CSUMB is aimed to be a residential, midsized institution that cares about upward mobility and student success through community work and workforce experience,” Quiñones said. “The services that we have right now are for a mid-sized institution. If we decide to grow more than that, then we have to start getting more dorms, more services, more student support.”
Quiñones, who is also a neurobiologist, biopsychologist and noted researcher, said that for now, the plan is to stay relatively the same size while investing in more housing now to curb any future issues. The university has added about 700 beds in two years and plans to renovate Gabilan Hall, a building that currently houses KAZU 90.3 and the Title IX office, into a dorm which would add about 186 beds.
One of the reasons housing has become such a hot-topic issue is the fact that the university recently saw one of its biggest enrollment spikes in about seven years. When CSUMB leadership was resizing the university during its budget cuts two years ago, there was a strategic investment in enrollment management amidst the rest of the cuts.
“First, we worked on the structure of the university to have enrollment management in a more dynamic and more focused way,” said Quiñones, who previously served as provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Pace University in New York. “Second, we worked really hard to tell this story. We are in Monterey Bay, we’re a beautiful campus, we have a strong community. When you come here, you belong.”
The new strategy seems to be working, as the university recently experienced a 25% increase in first-year applications and an over 40% increase in transfer applications from fall 2023 to fall 2024.
High rankingsAlso among CSUMB’s achievements in the past three years is the university’s continued top rankings among colleges nationwide. The 2025 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings rated CSUMB as No. 1 in the west for social mobility, which is how well a school helps low-income students succeed.
“What it means is that people that come to Cal State Monterey Bay, we will help you to move forward,” said Quiñones. “Not only you but your family, your community, after you graduate. That’s what upward mobility means. It means that you move socially and financially forward within your life.”
CSUMB also ranked in the top 50 in the country for graduating the most Hispanic and minority students in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a news magazine focusing on issues concerning diversity in higher education. This ranking is one Quiñones, who hails from Puerto Rico, is most proud of, she said.
“It shows that the promise is here, doesn’t it? The promise of moving forward with your family and your future,” Quiñones said. “My Hispanic people, we really believe that the only thing you can give your kids is education. People don’t realize how embedded education is for our ethnicity.
“And so here we are, we’re promising you that if you come here, that’s what we will give you. The only freedom you have in your life is your education.”
Hispanic Serving InstitutionIn order to classify as a Hispanic Serving Institution, a university needs to have at least 25% of its students identify as Latino as well as having at least half of their student population qualify as low income. CSUMB has been a Hispanic Serving Institution since 1998 and as of spring 2025, around 48% of the university’s students are Hispanic.
Having this designation means CSUMB receives federal funding for staff, faculty and student support services. A lawsuit filed in June in the U.S. District Court by the state of Tennessee and Students for Fair Admissions claims the criteria to become an HSI is unconstitutional and discriminatory against other ethnic groups. The lawsuit also claims that all colleges who serve low-income students should be able to qualify for the extra funding grants.
“When you go and look at what the mission is, we don’t say ‘Hispanic Serving Institution,’ we say we will move the community forward … we are a Hispanic serving institution, this is who we are. The majority of our students are Hispanic,” said Quiñones. “There are pressures that everybody is facing, not only CSUMB, but the whole U.S. There is a reallocation of policies, but we will adapt.”
The budgetOn top of uncertainty revolving around federal funding, there has also been uncertainty revolving around the CSU budget, which has been in a deficit for years. Recent projections show a $2.3 billion gap.
During Quiñones’ first year, CSUMB cut $23 million from its budget through reductions to operational overhead, restructuring departments and a voluntary separation incentive program. The university had a balanced budget in 2024-25, and is “cautiously optimistic” that it will continue to have a balanced budget the upcoming school year.
“I hope that people now three years down the road realize we are not in the same state as other universities that are closing or struggling, we’re in a more stable position,” said Quiñones. “I think the key thing is never to be static and always think that you’re swimming against the rip current because it’s almost like every single day there’s something happening.”
Strategic partnershipsPart of adapting and swimming against the current is continuing to update program offerings to match what the region needs. A major part of Quiñones’ mission these past three years has been to create strategic partnerships with private institutions including the Pebble Beach Company and Taylor Farms, to create opportunities for students to graduate with practical skills that can be applied directly to their career upon graduation.
One of the newest degrees, agribusiness supply chain management, is a direct result of hearing from local industry leaders about what kind of skills they need in the workforce. The soil science major is another one that came from the needs of the region.
Also on the university’s mind is the need for health care workers on the Monterey Peninsula. Health care has emerged as one of CSUMB’s priorities, said Quiñones, and the university is planning on heavily investing in that growth.
The two-year nursing program is set to be expanded into a four-year program, a new curriculum is being created for nurse practitioners, there are moves being made to reaccredit the master’s physician assistant program and the university is also looking into a new building for nursing.
“I think that when you see a university that adapts their degrees to produce what the community needs, it means that our university is bettering the community,” she said, “that there’s not a closed door … the plasticity that we’re showing in producing degrees that are needed shows that commitment to serve Monterey County.”
Also on CSUMB’s mind is the fast-changing landscape of artificial intelligence. Three professors working on AI projects were recently recognized by the CSU for their work and CSUMB has one of the highest adoption rates of the Chat GPT EDU platform that was rolled out in April.
“You have these students that are here for four years, but you have to educate them for a job in the future … what we know is that AI is actually accelerating the development of the workforce, what is needed for the workforce, more rapidly than before,” she said. “So by providing AI tools to all the students, which in the CSU is free, we have removed the barrier and we can make AI be more equitable.”
As the university is celebrating its 30th anniversary of the first semester, Quiñones thinks the values and mission have remained intact over time. While there are still accomplishments on the way, according to Quiñones, CSUMB has done what the founders set out to do 30 years ago.
“We haven’t deviated from what the university was meant to be, which was developing the economic region, ensuring that we serve the community, ensuring that there is a relationship that is back and forth with the community,” she said. “We still do those things.
“I’m very proud to be the president here,” said Quiñones. “I always say that I am proud of how everybody works together, how we really are a community, how we care about each Otter and how things are really turning around.”
Horoscopes Aug. 23, 2025: Jeremy Lin, seize the moment, bring about positive change
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jeremy Lin, 37; Annie Ilonzeh, 42; Scott Caan, 49; Shelley Long, 76.
Happy Birthday: Stop giving up or putting up with something that isn’t your style. Seize the moment, bring about positive change and talk your way forward with passion and promises that draw attention and offer hope to those looking to you for guidance. Show your strength by maintaining solidarity, and you’ll soon have the force behind you to achieve what you set out to do. Change shouldn’t be costly, but it should offer new beginnings and hope. Your numbers are 3, 16, 22, 27, 34, 40, 48.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Intelligence is your ticket forward. Joint ventures, expenses or spaces require patience, common sense and compromise. Look for adaptable options that can handle sensitive situations. Overreacting will not help you resolve matters. Do whatever is possible to maintain peace and dignity, and show strength and courage to sort through differences. Lead the way.3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Do what you must do and keep moving. Making excuses will prolong the agony of doing something you find taxing. Establish how your day unfolds, and be sure to compensate for any negativity you encounter with something that puts a smile on your face. Balance is the key to thriving and having the gumption to excel.5 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Inconsistency will hold you back. Take a leap of faith, let your instincts lead the way, and participate and connect with people who have information that can help you narrow down your options. Learn all you can. Be open to suggestions, but only implement what’s necessary. A simple path forward will stifle procrastination.2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): A civil conversation will far outweigh a shouting match. Take the time to sort out your thoughts and lay out alternatives and compromises that will minimize arguments. Avoid double-booking yourself or taking on physical activities that steal your energy and leave you at a disadvantage when dealing with intellectual affairs. Prioritize your energy.4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Use your swagger and your intelligence to win favors. Offer facts, demonstrations and proof that your word is good. It’s how you execute your plans that’ll determine how much you’ll receive in return. Innovation coupled with discipline will be the path to new beginnings. Leave nothing to chance or unfinished.3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Something unexpected is heading your way. Before you shun what’s coming, consider how you can parlay it into something useful. It’s how you deal with change that counts. Use it for self-improvement and to make connections or network with like-minded people. Aim high, and you will steal the show. Refuse to let emotions cost you.3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll teeter between what you should do and what you want to do. Stop procrastinating; choose what offers gratitude and satisfaction. Engaging in something that you find enlightening will recharge your battery, giving you ample room to catch up when the time is right. Let your imagination help you gain insight into self-improvement.3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pick up knowledge, skills and qualifications that will help you raise your earning potential. Network and discover what’s cutting-edge and can help transform your current work status into a next-level position. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll charm those who can help you advance. Day trips, reunions and people-watching are favored.4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Look at your environment, set a budget and reconstruct your surroundings to suit your needs. Pay attention to detail and make your space more convenient as well as efficient in hopes of lowering your overhead and easing financial stress. Revisit your eating and exercise habits to ensure better health. Self-improvement will encourage personal growth.2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep confusion at bay by doing research and getting your facts straight, and you’ll spare yourself from disappointment. When in doubt, step back, weigh the pros and cons and don’t be afraid to take a pass. Trust yourself over someone putting on a dog and pony show to convince you to become a follower.5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Less spending and more investing in your future will ease your mind and encourage you to interact with people and possibilities that can help you advance. Be brave and challenge yourself to try something you’ve never done before, and see what happens. A positive change at home or to your lifestyle is apparent.3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Observation is your friend. Sit back, relax and watch what’s unfolding around you. Consider the effects of interfering before deciding to participate. Choose the path that encourages positive input and spending time with people who accept you for who you are and love you unconditionally. Personal growth and romance are on the rise.3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are insightful, focused and receptive. You are spontaneous and shrewd.
1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.
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