Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 4

Horoscopes Oct. 18, 2025: Zac Efron, pay attention to the rules

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Zac Efron, 38; Esperanza Spalding, 41; Freida Pinto, 41; Wynton Marsalis, 64.

Happy Birthday: Look at the possibilities carefully this year and determine what’s in it for you. Connecting with the right people will make a difference to the outcome of whatever you pursue. Stay focused on who is involved and how equality plays a role in your success. Excess and unrealistic expectations will stand between you and your objective. Budget wisely, do your best and pay attention to rules and regulations. Your numbers are 5, 12, 17, 24, 32, 36, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Focus on creativity and unique alternatives to problem-solving. Work with those who share your sentiments, and you’ll gain leverage in situations that require backup. Size down; too much of anything will turn into complex conditions that are difficult to manage and hold you back. Choose discipline and intelligence when managing your finances and health. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A personal or professional change will turn out better than anticipated. Go with the flow, and you’ll discover you have better access to people who can help you move forward. A change of heart will prompt you to incorporate greater diversity into how you utilize and develop your skills for future applications. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A change will provide the infusion you need to jump-start your way forward. Whether you visit a place that inspires you, attend a trade show that connects you with someone offering new possibilities, or take time to rejuvenate and reevaluate what’s important to you, positive results will unfold. Treat yourself to new opportunities. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Choose intelligence. Clarity is the way forward. If you meet with opposition, you are on the wrong path. Revise your wish list and schedule to meet your needs. Put more time and effort into making your space efficient and comfortable, and it will help you determine what to hold on to and what to let go. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Tone down, spend less and simplify your life. Consider what and who matter most to you, and turn your attention to satisfying your needs. Love, personal growth, physical self-improvement and letting go of relationships that suck the energy out of you will give you the strength to restart your journey in a positive direction. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Ask, and you shall receive. Effective communication and following through on the information you get will help you achieve your goals. Social events will offer insight into what’s important to those you care about most, allowing you to make the necessary adjustments to reach your goals without dismantling what others expect from you. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Treat everyone fairly, and speak up when you feel an injustice arises. Don’t let anger set in, but use intellect and facts and figures to prove your point. Work alone, and don’t reveal your intentions until everything is in place. Focus on maintenance and completion, and you will succeed. Romance and commitment are favored. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Follow your instincts, use your intelligence and participate in events or activities that benefit you most. Expand your mind by engaging in situations and learning experiences that provide insight into diverse cultures, people and places. It’s a time to discover and adjust to the changes taking place around you. Explore, expand and experience life. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take a moment to get your thoughts, facts and bearings before you engage in talks, implement change or make professional or domestic decisions. You may feel inclined to make a force play, but the outcome will not turn out as anticipated. Take your time, explore every angle and pay attention to costs and budgets. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Fact-checking is mandatory. Listen carefully, question everything and look for loopholes and unique alternatives that will help you bypass any potential problem you foresee. Utilize your connections, intelligence and shrewd perspective, and you will emerge victorious. A new look, attitude or direction is worth considering. Your imagination requires justification before you let it run wild. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Put more emphasis on contracts, investments and health issues. A lifestyle change will benefit you more than you anticipate. Don’t shy away from using your skills to muster up greater income. A side business will turn out better than you expect. Love, romance and commitment are on the rise. Make plans with someone special. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Test the waters, consider the possibilities and adjust as you go. Nothing is for sure, so before committing, check all the boxes and consider what’s important to you. Being specific regarding your needs will guide you in the most suitable direction. Put your energy where it counts, and change what no longer fulfills your needs. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are outspoken, determined and protective. You are energetic and attractive.

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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Game of the Week: Palma stops two-point conversion in OT to beat Salinas

SALINAS — There have been bigger wins during Jeff Carnazzo’s record-setting run as a football coach — as recently as 2023 when a two-point conversion helped Palma save its season in a one-point win over Hollister.

Yet, none will likely match the emotion of not only defeating its biggest rival in overtime by stopping a two-point conversion, but ending a seven-year Gabilan Division losing streak to Salinas.

“It’s hard to quantify,” Carnazzo said. “It’s euphoric. Getting the pinao off my back was huge. This was the year we had to do it. We felt we were better than them.”

As players from the Chieftains sidelines charged onto the field, a celebration for the ages was warranted Friday as Alejandro Cervantes and Cesar Mercado stopped Salinas’ two-point attempt in overtime in a 42-41 win at Rabobank.

“The decision was made before we went to overtime,” Salinas coach Steve Zenk said. “I felt we had momentum. I considered going for two in regulation. It was more of a situational decision.”

Particularly after the Cowboys rallied from a 21-point second half deficit to tie the game with 15 seconds left when quarterback Michael Andrade connected with JP Perez from 18 yards out.

“I would have played it exactly the way Steve did,” Carnazzo said. “I would have played for the tie in regulation and gone for two if we had the second possession in overtime.”

In fact, had the Cowboys chosen to kick the extra point and force a second overtime, Carnazzo already had his mind made up that he would go for two if Palma had scored again.

“No question,” said Carnazzo, who went for two in his first season in the CCS Division I finals in Palma’s 15-14 win over Oak Grove in 2000. “Both teams had players cramping. It was an emotional and physical game. It was time to get it over with.”

Lost in all the emotion was the Chieftains are now 7-0, and locked in a tie for first in the Gabilan Division with Soquel, who they host in two weeks.

Palma could also be ticketed for the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs, as the top two teams from the Gabilan are often placed in the Open based on points.

“Our goal now is to try and get a top four seed in the Open,” Carnazzo said. “I told the kids it’s just one game. Lets not dump Gatorade over anyone’s head over one game. We don’t want any letdowns.”

Because the Cowboys three losses this year are to teams a combined 20-1, it opens the door for them to likely be the No. 1 seed in Division II if they run the table in their final three games.

“Sure, it hurts,” Zenk said. “But in the morning, the sun will come up and we’ll be hungry. Kids are resilient. I take the blame for not winning. That’s my privilege. My love for these kids is unconditional.”

For a brief moment, Salinas was in a celebratory mood when it thought it had converted the two-point conversion, having not heard the officials whistle blowing the play dead because Palma was offside.

“We were sky high and then we had to redo it,” Zenk said. “The officials said the play was whistled dead because it’s a dead-ball foul. I’ll have to look at the film.”

On the ensuing play, Izaak Hernandez took a handoff, only to run into former Palma teammates Mercado and Cervantes at the 1-yard line, ending the drama.

“To tell you the truth, it’s all a blur,” Carnazzo said. “The kids knew how big a game this was for us – for a lot of reasons that go beyond the rivalry. There was a lot of emotion after the game.”

Having spotted Salinas 14 points when Andrade tossed touchdown passes to Hovan Lusk and Robert Morales, the Chieftains answered behind the speed and shiftiness of tailback Eli Dukes.

Dukes, who has an offer on the table from Oregon State, showed why by rushing for 323 yards on 24 carries, triggering an assault of 35 straight unanswered points for the Chieftains.

Among the four-sport standouts four touchdowns runs, included 67 and 70-yard sprints, as Dukes now has nine touchdowns of 50 yards or longer this season, with Palma having 24 touchdowns of 35 yards or longer as a team.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder, who came into the game averaging over 15 yards each time he touched the ball, ran behind a wall of offensive linemen that included 6-7, 310-pound Josiah Castaneda.

Yet, in overtime, with the emphasis on containing Dukes and David Garcia, it was quarterback Patrick Driscoll going to the air and finding Chase Amaral for a touchdown.

“We took advantage of our slot receiver not being covered,” Carnazzo said. “We weren’t perfect. We butched a snap that gave them another possession with 1:49 left. If we get that first down, we’re taking a knee.”

Andrade had touchdown passes to four different receivers, throwing for 404 yards, with Jacob Robles catching 11 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown, and Hovan Lusk finishing with six catches for 134 yards and a TD.

“In my nine years, this is one of the best teams in terms of improvement from the beginning to now,” Zenk said. “We had no idea who we were in Week 1. We know who we are today.”

Warriors instant analysis: Al Horford, Draymond Green show passing chemistry in preseason finale

SAN FRANCISCO – When the Warriors were not turning the ball over, the team’s two biggest players were displaying their famed passing ability against the Clippers. 

The Warriors finished their five-game preseason schedule back at Chase Center on Friday night, falling to the Clippers 106-103.  

Coach Steve Kerr started Al Horford at center and Draymond Green at power forward, having mentioned pregame that he hopes to keep Horford’s minutes at about 20 a game this season. 

In 42 total minutes, Green and Horford combined for five assists, which undersold their passing chemistry. 

The two accounted for several big-to-big layups, including a particularly slick Green and Horford pick-and-roll in the first half. Horford finished with 10 points and a block, while Green had nine points on 4 of 5 shooting with six rebounds.

“(It’s about) making sure that one of us always gets the space, and that we play out of that,” Horford said. “Just finding ways to make the game easy.”

Steph Curry finished with 20 points, with his final make being a spectacular off-the-dribble triple in semi-transition during the fourth quarter. Curry played a preseason-high 30 minutes.

“Try to slowly build every game, as close to a full scope of minutes,” Curry said. “Just to get over the hump, your second wind, and feel what it feels like down the stretch after a couple of breaks.”

Rookie Will Richard earned his second consecutive start and scored 13 points.

The Clippers were down their two best players in Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, and former Warrior Chris Paul was also inactive.

The Warriors will open their regular season in Los Angeles at the Lakers on Tuesday. 

Podziemski suffers injury scare

Brandin Podziemski crumpled to the floor and had to be helped back to the locker room after he collided with a Clippers defender just three minutes into the game. 

Podziemski returned to the floor with 3:30 left in the first quarter after being diagnosed with a left hip contusion. 

Jimmy Butler missed the preseason finale as he continued to build up from a return from an ankle injury. Jonathan Kuminga sat out with a minor ankle injury suffered on the no-call that resulted in his ejection in Portland. 

Kerr emphasized that Kuminga and Butler are still expected to play in the season opener. However, Moses Moody will likely miss the game with a calf injury. 

No Kings rally

Warriors coach Steve Kerr is no stranger to commenting on American politics. Last season, he wore a Harvard shirt to a postgame press conference in support of the university during its feud with president Donald Trump’s administration.

After Friday’s game, Kerr said that he plans on attending a “No King’s” rally, which protests actions taken by the Trump administration that organizers see as governmental overreach, in the area.

“Yeah, so tomorrow I’ll go to the No Kings rally, because I hate America,” Kerr said. “That’s what I’ve heard. If you go, you hate America.”

Buddy Hield’s bobblehead night

The Warriors’ promotional giveaway was a bobblehead featuring Butler and Buddy Hield at a news conference, a place the two have become infamous for their postgame banter. While Butler was relegated to watching the game in street clothes, the volume-shooting Hield suited up.

In 23 minutes, Hield scored 11 points on 4 of 10 shooting.

Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers

Giveaways have been a consistent problem for the Warriors all preseason, and the finale was no exception. 

The offense got off to a horrendous start, committing eight turnovers in the first six minutes alone. With Kerr experimenting with various lineups, the Warriors often lacked traditional ballhandlers on the floor, and the stats reflected it.

“We definitely had a turnover problem throughout the preseason, but I’m confident that when the lights go on Tuesday, our guys will be locked in,” Kerr said.

Golden State finished the night with 23 turnovers. The Warriors had at least 20 in each preseason game.  

Trump offers US automakers additional relief from his tariffs

By JOSH BOAK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is giving domestic automakers additional relief from tariffs on auto parts, extending what was supposed to have been a short-term rebate until 2030.

It’s part of a proclamation Trump signed Friday that also made official a 25% import tax on medium and heavy duty trucks, starting Nov. 1.

The action reflected the administration’s efforts to use tariffs to promote American manufacturing while also trying to shield the auto sector from the higher costs that Trump’s import taxes have created for parts and raw materials.

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The special rebate initially announced in April had been set to be lowered and then expire in 2027. At the time, Trump described it as short-term aid “during this little transition” with the expectation that automakers would move production lines back to the U.S.

The extension and adjustments came after conversations with the auto industry, senior administration officials said. The goal is to both expand domestic production and make it more competitive. The officials insisted on anonymity as a condition for talking to reporters ahead of Trump signing the proclamation.

The amended action provides a rebate of 3.75% relative to the sales price of a domestically assembled vehicle. That figure was reached by putting the 25% import tax on parts that make up 15% of a vehicle’s sales price. Multiplying those two percentages together is equal to 3.75%.

The rebate will also now be offered to manufacturers of trucks and engines, officials said.

Trump had posted on his social media site Oct. 6 about the new tariffs on imported trucks. Buses will also be tariffed at 10% as part of the action.

The new tariffs do not apply to imports covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade. That pact, which went into effect in 2020, is up for renegotiation next year.

The moves come at a delicate moment for the auto industry as consumers are enduring sticker shock. According to Kelley Blue Book, buyers of new autos spent an average of $50,080 in September, the highest average on record. New auto prices have increased 3.6% from a year ago.

CSU workers are getting a one-time bonus, paid for by a $144 million loan due next year

The California State University system will seek a state loan of $144 million that it’ll have a year to repay at no interest, even though current projections show the system will have to add to its deficit to repay the debt.

Cal State’s chief financial officer says the loan will be used to offer one-year bonuses to faculty and staff. While salaries vary widely across the system, the extra $144 million is roughly a 3% increase in the total pay for Cal State’s workers, including executives. State law says the loan needs to be repaid by next July.

Despite months of hesitation, the system took the first step to request the loan and will likely get the money in 60 days or less, said Cal State interim Chief Financial Officer Patrick Lenz. The process involves approval from state lawmakers, who are likely to support the move.

State lawmakers made the loan available to Cal State after they cut state funding to the system by $144 million this year. Cal State has 22 campuses and enrolls 460,000 students.

The system’s largest union, the California Faculty Association of 29,000 workers, is cheering this decision but says more work is needed to bring back lecturers whose contracts were cancelled as many campuses contend with shrinking budgets. The union’s collective bargaining agreement is expiring but negotiators from the union and Cal State leadership haven’t met since April.

“We will take this as a win, but we have so much work to do, and I do hope that this provides an opening for the management to come to the table with us and negotiate fairly,” said Elaine Bernal, a lecturer at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Cal State Long Beach and senior member of the faculty association.

“The one-time investment, great, but we really got to focus on long-term investment,” Bernal said.

The Legislature intends to increase state spending for Cal State in 2026-27 by just $101 million — far lower than previous promises from Gov. Gavin Newsom of about $250 million — so the system will effectively be $43 million short once it repays the loan, Lenz said. The decision to take the loan came “after careful deliberation, conversations with the chancellor, conversations with our Board of Trustees,” Lenz said.

Money is chronically tight at CSU. Since 2023, the system has battled ongoing deficits that have led to hundreds of degree and course cuts, fewer lecturers and hiring freezes. Back then, the system said it was spending $1.5 billion less than it should to adequately educate its students.

Over the past two years that figure has grown by several hundred million dollars as costs rise for campus utilities, insurance, health benefits and more. The deficits exist even as the system in 2024 began increasing tuition annually; the added costs outweigh the new revenue from charging students more. However, most students don’t pay tuition because of state and system financial aid.

Despite those fiscal pressures and likely new expenses to replace the Trump administration’s cuts to federal education grants, Lenz said system leaders want to spend the money on workers.

Unions wanted loan

The zero-interest loan has been the source of intrigue and scrutiny since July as unions representing Cal State workers have been pressuring the system to agree to borrow the money so campuses can offer pay increases for workers. Unions and some lawmakers argued that the system was fully funded because the state budget gave CSU the option to borrow the loan, which should trigger collective bargaining contract language that stipulated that ongoing raises would kick in if the system received an increase in state funding.

But Cal State officials say that even if they take the loan, it’s not new or ongoing funding — it’s money they’d have to repay after a year — so the system isn’t obligated to increase wages like those contracts dictate.

Lenz reiterated that point during an interview, even after indicating the system will take out the loan.

“Clearly, anything that is one time is not ongoing,” he said of the loan. So any raise “would be only for the 12 months of the budget year.” But maybe the state will send more cash to the system than what lawmakers and Newsom signaled in the annual budget deal they solidified in June, Lenz said. He also suggested that CSU could negotiate more time to repay the loan.

“There’s a long way to go in this process, and there’s a lot of unknowns,” he said.

The loan is “an unusual financial strategy”, said Robert Kelchen, a professor of higher education budgets and finance at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Asked if this could be a model for other states, Kelchen said it might be for “other blue states that are heavily unionized” and are trying to secure labor peace with labor groups.

“That’s really what this feels like,” he said.

How CSU got here

That the loan even exists is itself an example of curious budgeting tactics by lawmakers and  Newsom. Last year they passed a state budget that gave Cal State a moderate increase in state funding with a warning of huge cuts of $375 million this July — equal to about 8% of what the state spends supporting the CSU.

After a half-year of fierce advocacy from Cal State officials, students and workers, the final 2025-26 budget approved in June applied just a 3% cut to CSU, with a promise that the cut — $144 million — would be restored in the 2026-27 budget year that begins next July. To help Cal State manage its finances this fiscal year, the state said the system could borrow $144 million this year and repay it by the end of June 2026.

The loan option was extended to multiple state agencies, including the University of California.

System budget leaders, including Lenz, in July expressed wariness over taking out the loan because if the state’s budget picture remains shaky — it’s already projecting billions of dollars in deficits — then lawmakers may decide to apply further cuts to the CSU. That means the system would be in a deeper deficit and be on the hook for a loan they couldn’t repay.

The fiscal malaise could have been worse. In 2022, Newsom promised the CSU and University of California five years of increasing budget support totaling more than $1 billion for each system in new, ongoing funding. But because of state budget constraints, that so-called “compact” has only been partially funded.

And new funding pain points are likely on the horizon. Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump approved spending plans that Newsom says will kick millions of low-income Californians off public health insurance. If the state plans to pay for that care, budgets for other agencies, especially those that can raise tuition, may need to decrease.

49ers’ injury outlook: Brock Purdy is out, so is Ricky Pearsall but George Kittle returns

SANTA CLARA — George Kittle is doing so well he was removed from the injury report entirely Friday.

The 49ers’ six-time Pro Bowl tight end hasn’t played since Week 1 with a hamstring strain, but will return to the lineup Sunday night when the 49ers (4-2) host the Atlanta Falcons (3-2) at Levi’s Stadium (NBC, 5:25 p.m.)

Listed as out are quarterback Brock Purdy, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. (knee), and defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (knee, hamstring). Listed as questionable are slot corner Upton Stout (ankle, shoulder), cornerback Renardo Green (neck) and defensive lineman Kevin Givens (pectoral).

Kittle and Givens are on injured reserve, but roster spots will be open by Sunday with Marques Valdes-Scantling on injured reserve and Fred Warner (ankle) soon to join him.

With Purdy missing his third game in succession and fifth overall, Mac Jones will get at least one more start. The 49ers continue to hold out Purdy rather than utilize him in a backup role in order to allow his toe to heal fully.

“He was able to get out there, throw more,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday. “I thought it was definitely a step further ahead than it was last week. We’re going in the right direction.”

Kittle who said Thursday his hamstring was torn in the opener, will play with no snap count restriction.

“No pitch count,” Shanahan said. “George has rehabbed really well. He came back 100 percent, had a good week of practice.”

Kittle is eager to hit someone.

“I have been so very excited to play football since last season ended, and to be able to play only 26 snaps has been very difficult for me,” Kittle said. “I’ve been trying my best to get back as fast as I can without being an idiot and rushing it. So the itch has been there.”

A notable full participant in practice Friday was wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who said last week he was playing with five broken ribs in addition to shoulder and ankle injuries. That doesn’t mean Jennings isn’t injured — virtually all NFL players have something at this point of the season — but it did mean he was able to practice fully and without restrictions.

AP photoJauan Jennings (15) was removed from the injury report after practicing with no restrictions Friday.

Mutual admiration for Bijan, CMC

Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson and the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey trained together in the offseason spent a lot of time comparing notes.

“Christian, he’s the best dude ever, man,” Robinson told reporters. “Getting to be with him in the summer seeing how he does things when it comes to recovery and on the field and me taking parts of his game and trying to add them to mine, it was inspirational to see what he can do and how he does it.”

Robinson keys the NFL’s No. 1 rushing attack with 484 yards at a whopping 5.8 yards per carry. He’s coming off a 170-yard game against Buffalo that included an 81-yard touchdown run.

McCaffrey has plugged along at 3.1 yards per carry with no gain longer than 15 yards but has 46 receptions for 444 yards, the most catches and yards among all running backs. Robinson leads the NFL in rushing/receiving yards with 822 yards, McCaffrey in touches with 154.

“Off the field, we were at Bible study. We were going all day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Robinson said. “We spent a lot of time together and for me to see his process, it really like motivated me and took me to another level when it comes to like my body and how operate.”

McCaffrey is a big fan of Robinson as well.

“Watching what kind of man he is and watching what kind of character he has is what I respect so much about him,” McCaffrey said.

When it was suggested they are similar backs in terms of versatility, McCaffrey said, “I hope so. That’s a huge compliment. I watch him move, make a lot of these plays and it’s inspiring. When you watch him play, any chance you get you try to emulate some of his stuff.”

Martin ready for his debut

Linebacker Nick Martin, a healthy scratch for the first six games of the season, will be active for the first time, Shanahan said.

Martin, a third-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State, lost out to incumbent Dee Winters as the weakside replacement for Dre Greenlaw, and wasn’t utilized on special teams. He could see time in both areas against the Falcons.

“It’s been about finding peace and patience, trusting God and understanding that when the time comes, it’ll be perfect,” Martin said. “When you see a guy like Fred go down, he was a leader, so you’ve got to make sure there’s no drop off, no missing pieces.”

Martin concedes there will be a moment where he takes it all in.

“It’s something I’ve been waiting on my whole life,” Martin said. “I’m blessed to be where I am.”

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was impressed by Martin’s work during the week.

“Nick has had a great week of practice so far. but I thought today was outstanding (Thursday) without looking at the tape,” Saleh said. “Flashed in one-on-ones, flashed on special teams and he flashed on team defense. So again, continue to grow, continue to find ways to get better and see if he can carve out a role for himself.”

Another potential debut could come from wide receiver Jordan Watkins, a fourth-round draft pick who has recovered from a calf injury.

Watkins said the NFL’s physicality is what’s jumped out at him while observing games both on the sideline and in a suite. “It’s a whole new level here. The SEC helped me a little bit but here everybody is good,” said Watkins, who played at Mississippi.

Notable

— Stout, already nursing a shoulder injury, also injured an ankle late in practice Thursday. If he doesn’t play, Deommodore Lenoir would likely move inside to be the slot corner. He played both slot and outside last year. Green is also questionable, which could mean a bigger role for Darrell Luter Jr.

— Shanahan said Skyy Moore, who fair caught punts at the 5-yard-line and 3-yard line against Tampa Bay, will retain his duties in that area.

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— With Pearsall out, Valdes-Scantling played 42 snaps against Tampa Bay and caught two passes for 22 yards. By the time he’s eligible to return, the 49ers may not have room on the 53-man roster, if Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) are up and running.

— Players who wore special jerseys for being named scout team players of the week were center/guard Matt Hennessey, defensive lineman Robert Beal Jr. and Luter.

— Leonard Floyd, who was second to Nick Bosa last season with 8 1/2 sacks for the 49ers, has recovered from an illness and is expected to play for the Falcons. Floyd is playing left outside linebacker in Atlanta in a 3-4 defense after playing as an end for the 49ers in a 4-3 alignment. Floyd has 1 1/2 sacks and six tackles.

— Wide receiver/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud, a 49er in 2022-23, will not make the trip due to a personal matter.

 

 

 

 

Trump says he has commuted sentence of former US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday he had commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who is serving more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges.

The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people — including his own family members — to make donations to his campaign.

He reported to Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey, on July 25 and is being housed in a minimum security prison camp with fewer than 50 other inmates.

“I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump posted on his social media platform.

“George Santos was somewhat of a ‘rogue,’ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison,” he wrote.

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Andrew Mancilla, one of Santos’ lawyers, said Friday he was “very, very happy with the decision,” though he said it’s unclear at this point when Santos will be released.

“The defense team applauds President Trump for doing the right thing,” Mancilla said by phone. “The sentence was far too long.”

Santos has been in prison for 84 days. During his time behind bars, he has been writing regular dispatches in a local Long Island newspaper, The South Shore Press.

In his latest letter, published Oct. 13, Santos pleaded to Trump directly, citing his fealty to the president’s agenda and to the Republican Party.

“Sir, I appeal to your sense of justice and humanity — the same qualities that have inspired millions of Americans to believe in you,” he wrote. “I humbly ask that you consider the unusual pain and hardship of this environment and allow me the opportunity to return to my family, my friends, and my community.”

A prominent former House colleague, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, also urged the White House to commute his sentence, saying in a letter sent just days into his prison bid that the punishment was “a grave injustice” and a product of judicial overreach.

The judge in Santos’ case had agreed with federal prosecutors that a stiffer sentence was warranted because Santos didn’t seem remorseful, despite what he and his lawyers claimed.

Santos’ commutation is Trump’s latest high-profile act of clemency for former Republican politicians since retaking the White House in January.

In late May, he pardoned former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, a New York Republican who in 2014 pleaded guilty to underreporting wages and revenue at a restaurant he ran in Manhattan.

He also pardoned former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, whose promising political career was upended by a corruption scandal and two federal prison stints.

Trump himself was convicted in a New York court last year in a case involving hush money payments. He derided the case as part of a politically motivated witch hunt.

Santos was once an up-and-coming star for the GOP.

He became the first openly gay Republican elected to Congress in 2022, flipping a House seat representing parts of Queens and Long Island.

But Santos served less than a year in office after it was revealed that he had fabricated much of his life story, which in turn led to investigations into how the then-unknown politician had funded his winning campaign.

A son of Brazilian immigrants, Santos had claimed he was a successful business consultant with Wall Street cred and a sizable real estate portfolio.

He eventually admitted he had never graduated from Baruch College — or been a standout player on the Manhattan college’s volleyball team, as he had claimed. He had never worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs.

He wasn’t even Jewish. Santos insisted he meant he was “Jew-ish” because his mother’s family had a Jewish background, even though he was raised Catholic.

In truth, the then-34-year-old was struggling financially and even faced eviction.

Santos was charged in 2023 with stealing from donors and his campaign, fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits and lying to Congress about his wealth.

Within months, he was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives — just the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by colleagues.

Santos pleaded guilty the following year just as he was set to stand trial.

Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report.

Taylor Swift wears Aquarium T-shirt, inspires more than $2 million in donations

MONTEREY – One of the most-watched pop stars in the world has managed to prompt the re-issue of an old Monterey Bay Aquarium T-shirt featuring sea otters, and sparked donations of over $2 million to the facility.

Taylor Swift was seen wearing the vintage T-shirt in a movie promoting her latest album – “The Life of a Showgirl.” The movie – “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” – has spurred a wave of donations to the aquarium, many of them in the amount of $13, the artist’s favorite number.

Swift’s fans, known as “Swifties” number in the hundreds of millions on social media, and as the aquarium recalls it, on a recent afternoon its team was reading the comments on the aquarium’s social media posts and noticed that Swifties had noticed the Monterey Bay Aquarium otter shirt in the “Official Release” movie and soon after, the aquarium’s feeds were flooded.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium tracked down the original artwork – first printed in the 1990s – and are bringing the T-shirt back to say thank you.

“For a limited time, we’re running a special campaign to support our Sea Otter Program and other critical ocean conservation work,” says the Monterey Bay Aquarium on its website. “To produce this re-issue of the vintage design, we’ve teamed up with Liberty Graphics, who use PVC-free, water-based ink that’s better for the planet and our ocean, and 100% cotton material that doesn’t shed microplastics in the wash. The aquarium is also ensuring packaging and shipping materials are plastic-free. Donors who give $65.13 through this campaign will receive a re-issue of our classic sea otter shirt as a special thank you for your support.”

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean, and its coordinated science, policy and communications efforts focus on four key areas – Pacific Ocean wildlife and ecosystems, global fisheries and aquaculture, plastic pollution and climate change and ocean acidification.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Program for more than 30 years has worked to understand threats facing the southern sea otter and the impact the threatened species has on the health of coastal ecosystems, according to the aquarium’s website. California needs sea otters’ help to maintain coastal resilience in the face of climate change. The Aquarium contributes to southern sea otter population recovery and coastal resilience through work to advance scientific knowledge; to rescue, rear and reintroduce stranded sea otter pups to the wild; to improve management; and to raise public awareness of sea otters’ vital role in shaping healthy coastal ecosystems.

Taylor Swift announced the album in August on her first appearance on “New Heights,” the podcast hosted by her fiance, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. It was then that fans learned Travis Kelce loves sea otters.

Swift was then seen sporting the vintage 1993 Monterey Bay Aquarium T-shirt featuring sea otters in her official album release film, and according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, “intentional or not, by putting our sea otter conservation work in the spotlight, this has brought a new era of support and awareness to the Aquarium’s long history of ocean conservation.”

Swift conceived the promotional film and conducted multiple interviews. The movie had a limited theatrical release in over 50 territories on Oct. 3–5, earning over $50 million globally.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium campaign remains in effect, and as of 2 p.m. Friday, has raised nearly double its goal of $1.3 million to $2,255,198.

Monterey Council to continue budget deficit talks

The Monterey City Council will meet Tuesday to continue discussing how to address the city’s $10 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2026-2027.

In a special meeting last week, the council held a joint session with Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program, voting to have the committee come up with a list of projects that could total $3-4 million that could potentially be frozen.

Council members have been working on an exercise with city staff determining how the city can come up with $10 million in other ways, including tax measures and reassessing vacant city positions.

The council agreed that if they could come up with solutions totaling more than the target of about $6 million, then they wouldn’t need to take from the Community Improvement Program.

The latest staff report recommends using up to $4 million in Community Improvement Program funds, including the possibility of skipping next year’s Program allocation, to help balance the budget without cutting services or staff.

City staff explained that using next year’s Program funds could immediately balance the budget while allowing time for ongoing revenue solutions to take effect.

“This ‘skip next year’ option would allow scarce staff resources to catch up on project delivery,” Tuesday’s agenda reads. “It is the clearest way to an assured solution to balance FY 2026-27 using existing sources.”

Council members have already expressed interest in several new revenue measures, including a 0.375 percent sales tax increase projected to raise $4.5 million annually, as well as potential taxes on vacant properties, parking lots and admissions. Staff also noted long-term options such as property sales, partnerships and stormwater fees to strengthen the city’s fiscal outlook.

The agenda reiterates that reserves should remain untouched, citing the need to protect the city’s bond rating and maintain a 20 percent reserve level for emergencies. Council members asked several questions about the possibility of using reserves and both council members Jean Rasch and Ed Smith said they would give a “yes” vote to use reserves if the opportunity arises.

The council will also review potential service reductions through attrition, pausing city programs such as rental assistance or event grants, and savings through contract changes. Even with all those measures, the city could still face a $2.4 million shortfall next year.

City staff said they expect to begin public opinion polling this fall to test support for new tax measures on the June 2026 ballot.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Monterey City Hall, 580 Pacific St. The meeting will be streamed via Zoom at https://monterey-org.zoomgov.com/j/1609222935.

Iowa superintendent detained by ICE falsely claimed he was a US citizen, indictment says

By RYAN J. FOLEY and HANNAH FINGERHUT, Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen on a federal form and knowingly possessed several firearms illegally, according to a newly returned indictment that raises the prospect of a lengthy prison term.

A federal grand jury issued the two-count indictment Thursday charging former Des Moines schools superintendent Ian Roberts with one count of making a false statement for employment and one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm while being in the country illegally. Together, the charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Roberts, who is originally from Guyana and worked for two decades in school districts across the U.S., was detained Sept. 26 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in a targeted operation that shocked the community.

Authorities said Roberts lacked authorization to work in the U.S. and fled from agents who conducted a traffic stop while he was driving his district-issued Jeep Cherokee. Roberts was later apprehended in a wooded area with help from the Iowa State Patrol. Authorities found a handgun wrapped in a towel inside his car, investigators said, along with $3,000 cash.

This photo provided by WOI Local 5 News in September 2025 shows Des Moines schools Superintendent Ian Roberts. (WOI Local 5 News via AP)

Des Moines Public Schools hired Roberts in 2023 to lead its district of about 30,000 students. Days after being detained, Roberts resigned from his job, which included an annual salary of $286,716.

The indictment alleges that Roberts made a “false attestation” on a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Eligibility Verification form, known as an I-9, claiming he was a U.S. citizen when he knew he was not.

Roberts’ attorney Alfredo Parrish said his client was not surprised by the indictment and would fight the charges at trial.

“Dr. Roberts intends to enter a not guilty plea because he’s innocent of these charges,” he said. “Our immigration system, as most Americans understand, is in shambles.”

The district on Friday refused to release the I-9 form in response to a public records request filed by The Associated Press, saying it was a confidential personnel record under Iowa law and also part of the federal investigation. District officials have said Roberts also submitted a driver’s license and Social Security card as part of the verification process.

Authorities have said Roberts came to the U.S. in the 1990s and his work authorization expired in 2020. An immigration judge issued a final order for his removal last year after a hearing where Roberts failed to appear, and Roberts’ request to reopen the proceedings was rejected earlier this year. Roberts’ attorney has argued his client was led to believe by a former attorney that the appeal had been resolved in his favor.

After his detention by ICE, Roberts was transferred to U.S. Marshals custody Oct. 2 to face a federal firearms charge. Roberts, 54, remains at the Polk County Jail in Des Moines.

In addition to the one in his vehicle when he was arrested, three other firearms were found during a search of Roberts’ home, authorities said. The indictment describes the four weapons, including two pistols, a rifle and a shotgun.

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The firearms charge carries a punishment of up to 15 years in prison, while the false statement charge carries up to five years.

The Department of Homeland Security has publicized a lengthy criminal history for Roberts, including a 2020 arrest in New York state on a charge of criminal possession of a weapon, details of which have been sealed. He was cited in 2021 for a minor firearms violation in Pennsylvania related to his storage of a hunting rifle in his vehicle.

The fallout from the case has been widespread. The district filed a lawsuit alleging the consulting firm it used during the 2023 superintendent search failed to adequately vet Roberts’ background. The firm has defended its work, which included flagging a discrepancy involving a doctorate degree falsely claimed by Roberts on one resume.

State Auditor Rob Sand announced this week that his office will investigate the district’s finances in response to an outside request. The move came after the AP reported that Roberts had pushed to award district business to a firm that employed him as a consultant, despite the conflict of interest.

School Board Chair Jackie Norris ended her campaign for U.S. Senate on Thursday, citing the need to lead the district through the crisis. The district is asking voters to approve a $265 million bond referendum next month that would raise property taxes in order to support program and building improvements.

Foley reported from Iowa City, Iowa.