Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 410

As Robbie Ray makes SF Giants debut, is the ‘cavalry’ arriving too late?

LOS ANGELES — Earlier this month, when Farhan Zaidi appeared on KNBR, the team’s flagship radio station, the Giants’ typically jovial top baseball decision-maker took a menacing tone. If his club kept trending in the same direction, “we’re going to have to think about selling and seeing some younger players,” he said.

The Giants were four games under .500 at the time and three back of playoff position. Since dropping four of their first five games out of the All-Star break, they’ve fallen a season-worst six games under water and five games back of the final National League wild card, behind six other teams.

With Robbie Ray set to take the mound Wednesday at Dodger Stadium for his first time in a Giants uniform and Alex Cobb right behind him, this was supposed to be the turning point in the season, the long-awaited arrival of rotation reinforcements that could reinvigorate a second-half push to the postseason.

Walking into the visitors’ clubhouse Monday afternoon, Ray was greeted by a team playing some of its worst baseball of the season with its playoff hopes in free fall. According to FanGraphs, the Giants’ chances of making the postseason have plunged to 13.8%, down from 26% as recently as the All-Star break.

“You can’t help but know where we are (in the standings),” manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday after his club’s 5-2 loss in Los Angeles, failing to eclipse three runs for their seventh game in a row. “There’s some other teams separating a little bit. We’re dropping further back. We’ve talked about the cavalry coming, but we need to do it now. We’re going to have to wear this one today and come out and win a game tomorrow because the more we dig a hole for ourselves, the tougher it’s going to be for us.”

The Giants have not owned a winning record since the second-to-last day of May. Since pulling within a game of .500 on July 5, they have gone 4-9 to sink back to their lowest point since May 14, when they were also six games below .500.

Besides red-hot rookie Tyler Fitzgerald, who homered for the fifth straight game in Tuesday’s loss, the rest of the Giants’ lineup is batting .149 since the All-Star break. The team has not scored more than four runs since July 12 and is averaging a paltry 3.47 per game since the start of July.

“We just need to start scoring some runs,” Melvin said. “We’ve moved things around (in the lineup) a little bit. We’re five games in. We’ve done some good work with the lineup the way it is. It’s not looked that way since the second half started. Tyler’s really the one guy who’s swung the bat really well.”

When all Melvin can do is shuffle the deck chairs, then maybe it is time to consider Zaidi’s comments.

The Giants have a handful of players who would surely draw interest from other teams, but almost to an individual, each one comes with asterisks that might reduce their potential return. The most notable of all would be Blake Snell, who’s past four starts should be enough to show opposing scouts that he’s back in second-half form.

Snell, however, possesses a $32 million player option for 2025, the same circumstances that scared off teams from Carlos Rodón two summers ago. Should his performance backslide or if he were to suffer a catastrophic injury, opting in would be an easy decision and leave any team acquiring him on the hook for his salary.

Snell, at least, has some tape to show contenders he could help with their postseason push. While Ray and Cobb have no shortage of experience, neither will have much if any time to showcase themselves before Tuesday’s deadline. Concerns over how much both veterans can contribute following surgeries and extensive rehabs will likely limit the prospect haul either could demand.

The Giants could make some moves in the same vein of shipping away Austin Slater and designating Nick Ahmed for assignment. Without Ahmed (who was scooped up by the Dodgers on Wednesday and inserted into their lineup), the Giants created more playing time for Fitzgerald and Brett Wisely and have been rewarded for it.

But without Slater, Melvin has still struggled to find opportunities for Luis Matos, culminating Wednesday in the 22-year-old outfielder being optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento so that he can play every day. If they want those reps to come at the major-league level, it would presumably require moving on Michael Conforto, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, or Mike Yastrzemski, who could be nontendered if the club determines he is not worth a raise from his $7.9 million salary.

Between their continued struggles at the plate, it’s not clear how much either veteran would fetch on the trade market.

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If the Giants are set on selling and want to acquire assets, it would likely require moving somebody like Matt Chapman, Camilo Doval or — gasp — Logan Webb. The latter is not an option the front office is considering — why would they with their homegrown ace locked up at a below-market rate through 2028? — and while the others come with All-Star credentials, they also have their flaws.

Any contender acquiring Doval likely already has its own closer, and Doval hasn’t proven he can find success in non-save situations. Chapman has been the most valuable third baseman in the majors, according to Baseball-Reference, but like Snell has a complicated contract with a cascading series of player options.

With his job security more precarious than any point in his tenure, Zaidi went all-in this offseason to mold the Giants into a contender, but they find themselves in a similar position approaching the trade deadline as the past three seasons. The group of players as currently assembled has given little reason to further invest in the roster, and there are few clear assets to sell off should they go in the other direction.

Biden delivers solemn call to defend democracy as he lays out his reasons for quitting race

By ZEKE MILLER, SEUNG MIN KIM and WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country’s democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

Insisting that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title,” Biden used his first public address since his announcement Sunday that he was stepping aside to deliver an implicit repudiation of former President Donald Trump. He did not directly call out Trump, whom he has called an existential threat to democracy. The 10-minute address also gave Biden a chance to try to shape how history will remember his one and only term in office.

“Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy,” Biden said, in a somber coda to his 50 years spent in public office. “And that includes personal ambition.”

It was a moment for the history books — a U.S. president reflecting before the nation on why he was taking the rare step of voluntarily handing off power. It hasn’t been done since 1968, when Lyndon Johnson announced he would not seek reelection in the heat of the Vietnam War.

“I revere this office,” Biden said. “But I love my country more.”

Trump, just an hour earlier at a campaign rally, revived his baseless claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Biden. His refusal to concede inspired the Capitol insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, which Biden called “the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.”

Biden skirted the political reality that brought him to that point: His abysmal performance in a debate against Trump nearly a month ago, where he spoke haltingly, appeared ashen and failed to rebut his predecessor’s attacks, sparked a crisis of confidence from Democrats. Lawmakers and ordinary voters questioned not just whether he was capable of beating Trump in November, but also whether, at 81, he was still fit for the high-pressure job.

Biden, who said he believed his record was deserving of another term in office, tried to outlast the skepticism and quell the concerns with interviews and tepid rallies, but the pressure to end his campaign only mounted from the party’s political elites and from ordinary voters.

“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” Biden said, saying he wanted to make room for “fresh voices, yes, younger voices.”

He added, “That is the best way to unite our nation.”

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It was a belated fulfillment of his 2020 pledge to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders — and a bow to the drumbeat of calls from within his party to step aside.

Biden’s address was carried live by the major broadcast and cable news networks. He spooled out an weighty to-do list for his last six months in office, pledging to remain focused on being president until his term expires at noon on Jan. 20, 2025. He said he would work to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, fight to boost government support to cure cancer, address climate change and push for Supreme Court reform.

The president sought to use the address to outline the stakes in the election, which both Biden and Harris have framed as a choice between freedom and chaos, but he tried to steer clear of overt campaigning from his official office.

“The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule,” Biden said. “The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America — lies in your hands.”

Biden was also making the case for his legacy of sweeping domestic legislation and the renewal of alliances abroad. But the way history will remember his time in office and his historic decision to step aside is intertwined with Harris’ electoral result in November, particularly as the vice president runs tightly on the achievements of the Biden administration.

His advisers say he intends to hold campaign events and fundraisers benefiting Harris, whom Biden praised as “tough” and “capable,” albeit at a far slower pace than if he had remained on the ballot himself.

Harris advisers will ultimately have to decide how to deploy the president, whose popularity sagged as voters in both parties questioned his fitness for office.

Biden, aides say, knows that if Harris loses, he’ll be criticized for staying in the race too long and not giving her or another Democrat time to effectively mount a campaign against Trump. If she wins, she’ll ensure his policy victories are secured and expanded, and he’ll be remembered for a Washingtonian decision to step aside for the next generation of leadership.

Biden said he’s grateful to have served as president — nowhere else would a kid with a stutter grow up to sit in the Oval Office.

“I’ve given my heart and my soul to our nation,” he said. “I’ve been blessed a million times in return.”

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that any question of Biden resigning his office before the election — which would allow Harris to run as an incumbent — was “ridiculous.”

Jean-Pierre said Biden has “no regrets” about his decision to stay in the race as long as he did, or his decision to quit it over the weekend. She said Biden’s decision had nothing to do with his health.

Trump, who watched Biden’s remarks from his private jet, posted on his social media platform that the president “was barely understandable, and sooo bad!”

As he spoke inside the Oval Office, Biden was joined off-camera by family members, including his wife, Jill, son Hunter, daughter Ashley and several grandchildren. Hundreds of administration aides held a watch party in the White House and gathered in the Rose Garden afterward to hear Biden thank them for their service. Outside the gates, supporters of Biden gathered holding signs that read “We love Joe,” and a brass band played,

49ers training camp: It’s the same old Brock Purdy, and that’s a good thing

SANTA CLARA — There’s a school of thought that the next part of the evolution of Brock Purdy includes more of a gunslinger mentality.

Push the ball downfield. Create big plays with his legs as well as his arm.

And while it’s true Purdy aspires to do those things on occasion, the takeaway Wednesday from the 49ers’ first day of training camp is that it’s the same old Brock.

A product of the system, if you will. And he’s fine with that, the system quarterback label be damned.

Purdy was an unknown rookie and then spent his second training camp in a race to get his elbow ready for the season after a torn UCL in the NFC Championship Game. This time, Purdy can gamble a little, take some chances, see what works and what doesn’t.

“I think there’s a balance to that,” Purdy said Wednesday. “That is how we have success here as 49ers quarterbacks, being efficient, making the right decisions over and over again. Trying to be a superhero and make all these different kinds of throws, that’s not how we’re coached. It’s not how we win games here.

“We’re going to practice how we play and how we try to win.”

Minus a hold-in (Brandon Aiyuk) and a hold-out (Trent Williams), Purdy and the 49ers got down to business with a two-hour non-padded practice to kick off the 2024 training camp.

The 49ers had yet to get an evaluation from coach Kyle Shanahan, but Purdy seemed to give his team a passing grade in terms of a start.

“There’s still some rust. We can all feel it,” Purdy said. “Timing and routes with receivers, play calls getting in and out of the huddle. For a Day 1, I didn’t think it was too bad.”

Besides getting married in the offseason, Purdy had his first legitimate offseason where he wasn’t preparing for a combine or rehabbing a serious injury. At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Purdy worked on his lower body and core as well as refining his throwing motion. He feels he’s got some added zip on his passes.

“There’s a guy that comes in and does the 3D motion-capture stuff and we honed in on my mechanics and tried to apply it to my on-field training and my hips and everything that goes into it, Purdy said. “I was in Jacksonville for a month and we were able to chip away from some things, whereas last year it was a couple of weeks and about my elbow rehab.”

Purdy’s busy time away from the facility — which included getting married — was no surprise to Shanahan.

“Brock works really hard in the offseason,” Shanahan said. “We always joke about his baby Bosa legs. He builds those up, gets his strength. The work ethic he has is mental and physical and he continues to get better.”

Offensive play of the day

It wasn’t one of Purdy’s prettiest passes, but a rollout wobbler to tight end Eric Saubert, a former fifth-round draft pick signed as a free agent who hopes to fill a role with the departures of Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley.

Saubert came down with the ball under tight defense from linebacker De’Vondre Campbell Sr.

“He came in for OTAs, started throwing to him and learning how he moves and how he sees things,” Purdy said. “He made a great play today, so that’s something we’re going to build off of and get after together.”

Defensive play of the day

Rookie fourth-round draft pick Malik Mustapha came in with the reputation as a potential in-the-box safety and a hitter, but picked off a Joshua Dobbs pass thrown well downfield on a throw intended for Danny Gray.

“That was awesome, because I saw Danny got the corner so I thought he was going to win on the go route and the middle-third safety picked it off with ease,” Shanahan said. “He showed his range there.”

Deebo Samuel, wearing No. 1 for the first time in his NFL career, runs through drills with teammates at training camp.

Guerendo first camp casualty

Running back Isaac Guerendo, a fourth-round draft pick out of Louisville, took a pitch and ran around right end before stumbling and eventually hitting the ground. He limped off the field toward the end zone in emotional distress where he was met by other running backs, including Christian McCaffrey.

“We think it was a hamstring,” Shanahan said. “It looked like he hyperextended a little bit. He was going about half speed it looked like. It was an unusual one . . . we’ve got to get an MRI.”

Maintaining a veteran schedule

McCaffrey didn’t take any offensive reps in 7-on-7 or full-team drills, leaving the carries to Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason and Kamon Hall. It’s all part of the plan for selected veterans, according to Shanahan.

“He did individual (drills) and tomorrow I think he does team stuff,” Shanahan said. “A number of our players are like that. He has a whole thing mapped out each day.”

Tight end George Kittle (shoulder, core) practiced and caught passes, and center Jake Brendel (knee) also practiced as well as cornerback Charvarius Ward (core).  Both will be among those monitored throughout camp.

Looking out for No. 1

Deebo Samuel made his presence felt in Aiyuk’s absence. While Purdy missed him on one play, the two later connected on a deeper pass down the left side. It is Samuel’s first training camp wearing No. 1 instead of his familiar No. 19.

“I think Deebo looks great,” Shanahan said. “I thought he looked great during OTAs and minicamp and I thought he looked better today.

Keeping an eye on Dee Winters

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Dee Winters, a sixth-round pick out of TCU in 2023, was a standout in OTAs according to teammate Fred Warner and could work his way into some playing time with a strong training camp with Dre Greenlaw potentially out early in the season until his torn Achilles’ has healed.

With Greenlaw out for OTAs and Warner watching from the sideline, Winters took full advantage.

“He was ready for those reps,” Shanahan said. “When you go through your rookie year sometimes things click for guys and being behind guys like Dre and Fred and watching how they work, he’s kind of cloned himself after those guys in terms of work ethic and being dialed in.”

Miscellaneous

Brandon Allen and Dobbs split reps, with Allen looking to have the edge in terms of being comfortable in the system.Mason, primarily a ball-carrying back, looked solid in the passing game although he was stripped on one play by cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.Trent Taylor, Ronnie Bell and rookie Jacob Cowser were fielding punts from Mitch Wishnowsky and the Jugs machine. Cowser mishandled one punt.Defensive linemen were twice whistled early on for offsides penalties.Wide receiver Jauan Jennings lost a fumble but had an otherwise solid practice in the absence of Aiyuk and rookie first-round pick Ricky Pearsall Jr., who is on the non-football injury list with a hamstring strain.

Residential battery energy storage system rebate program begins

SALINAS – Central Coast Community Energy, the public agency that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources, has announced the launch of its Residential Battery Rebate Program, providing its residential customers rebates for the purchase and installation of an eligible battery energy storage system.

“Our battery storage program will empower individual consumers with more control over their energy costs and provide another way to use more clean renewable energy,” said Chris Cook, Central Coast Community Energy’s Director of Energy Programs, in a press release. “These rebates will help bridge the gap, making battery storage systems accessible to more homes in our community.”

Central Coast Community Energy’s Residential Battery Rebate Program will provide a standard rebate of $300 per kilowatt hour (kWh) of storage capacity. For example, a 13kWh battery will earn Central Coast Community Energy customers $3,900 toward the purchase and installation of a home battery. Additional rebates are also available from the California Public Utility Commission’s SGIP incentive, PG&E, and the Inflation Reduction Act.

To prioritize low-income customers and those with an increased reliance on electricity, CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline customers will receive a higher rebate of $500 per kilowatt hour, or $6,500 for a 13 kWh battery, according to Central Coast Community Energy. When combined with the other available incentives, the total funding may cover close to 100% of the costs to purchase and install a home battery for Central Coast Community Energy households that are enrolled in utility discount programs.

Initially, the program is anticipated to allow for the deployment of 400 battery systems per fiscal year. The rebates will be available to residential Central Coast Community Energy customers, regardless of whether they have a solar system or not.

Electricity rates change throughout the day and when clean renewable energy is abundant during the middle of the day, largely as a result of California’s expansive solar generation, prices are lower, according to Central Coast Community Energy. But when the sun goes down and the demand for electricity goes up during evening hours, prices are higher.

A home that uses battery storage allows the owner to store renewable energy generated during the day when it is most cost effective, then use that stored energy from the battery for power at night, which helps customers manage their energy consumption and lower costs.

The adoption of energy storage technology is crucial to California’s fight against climate change and to meet the state’s ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals by reducing reliance on fossil-fuels, says Central Coast Community Energy. Additionally, diverting some energy use from the grid during net peak use times will help control energy costs for all Central Coast communities.

California’s climate plan lays the roadmap to 2045 to cut air pollution 71%, slash greenhouse emissions 85%, drop gas consumption 94%, create four million new jobs, and save Californians $200 billion in health costs due to pollution, according to Governor Newsom’s World’s First Plan to Achieve Net Zero Carbon Pollution.

In 2022, California generated nine times as much solar power as it did in 2013, enough to power 5,876,199 typical homes, according to Environment California. That’s a 775% increase in solar generation in just a decade’s time. California not only leads the nation in solar generation, but it also saw the most growth in solar power from 2013-2022 when more than 1.8 million homes had solar panels on their roofs.

In 2022, renewable and non-greenhouse gas (nuclear and large hydroelectric) resources accounted for 54.2% of California’s total system electric generation.

From 2018 to 2024, statewide data for residential, commercial and utility-scale installations of battery storage capacity in California increased from 500 megawatts to more than 10,300 MW, with an additional 3,800 MW planned to come online by the end of 2024, according to the California Energy Commission. About 151,000 residents have an energy storage system.

As the state introduces new Title IX laws, CSUMB has been working on improvements

The state is requiring universities and community colleges to rethink how their Title IX offices are structured, following recent reports which showed the California State University system has been mishandling discrimination cases for years.

California State Monterey Bay, for one, has been working to restructure and bolster its Title IX office in the past year according to university officials.

Title IX is a federal law that protects students, staff and faculty from gender and sex discrimination and serves as a form to report cases of sexual harassment and assault on college campuses.

In 2022, the CSU hired the law firm Cozen O’Connor to conduct a system-wide investigation into its handling of Title IX cases after a USA Today investigation found former Chancellor Joseph Castro had mishandled reports of sexual harassment during his time at CSU Fresno. In July 2023, the California State Auditor released their findings from a similar investigation into the CSU that found “it did not adequately or consistently address some allegations of sexual harassment,” according to the report.

Last week Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1790 and AB 2806, which require higher education sites to implement the recommendations of the state auditor report as well as strengthen their sexual violence and harassment training beginning in September 2026.

“The two bills put focus on accountability and education, which are important to robust prevention and awareness programming and to ensuring when complaints arise, that everyone is prepared to respond appropriately, responsibly and expediently,” said CSU spokeswoman Amy Bentley-Smith.

The state auditor reported that from 2018-22, there were 10 sexual harassment complaints against Cal State Monterey Bay employees. The report notes these numbers are unreliable due to campuses inconsistently counting the number of reports made to them.

Of the 10 reported complaints at CSUMB, four were investigated and one was substantiated. The resolution of the one substantiated report is unclear. In comparison, CSU Fullerton had the most complaints with 223 reports filed within the five-year span. Only eight of those reports were substantiated, according to the state report.

“When possible, the CSU is going beyond the recommendations and exceeding our legal compliance mandates. Our goal is to be a national leader in building a culture of care and trust,” said Bentley-Smith.

The 2023 Cozen report found the Cal State Monterey Bay Title IX office was “not functional and was not performing many of the core duties with which the Office was tasked.”

Since the release of the Cozen report, CSUMB has made “tremendous progress” in restructuring its Title IX office, according to university spokesman Walter Ryce. The office has hired more personnel, including a Title IX/discrimination, harassment and retaliation director as well as a Clery director (The Clery Act is a federal law that requires higher education institutions that receive federal financial aid to disclose information about campus safety and crime to their community). The office has also worked to increase visibility of its practices and updated its reporting form, according to Ryce.

“The Title IX/DHR office is committed to strengthening and rebuilding relationships within the offices of CSUMB and the university community,” said Ryce.

From 2015-18, the Chancellor’s office reviewed the practices of 19 of its 23 campuses following guidance from the state auditor’s office. The CSU has not conducted any campus reviews since 2018. According to the report, this lack of information “inherently limits the Chancellor’s Office’s ability to provide targeted guidance to address inconsistencies and noncompliance in the campuses’ handling of allegations.”

AB 1790 requires the CSU to implement the state recommendations, which the report specified should be implemented by this month.

“The CSU has worked very closely with the legislature on this bill package for the last year,” said Bentley-Smith. “We share the legislators’ interest in ensuring all students and employees across our 23 universities are protected from discrimination and harassment. It is one of our highest priorities.”

The CSU has created a systemwide Office of Civil Rights Programming and Services, drafted implementation plans for each campus based on the Cozen report and created new policies on employee references and retreat rights, according to Bentley-Smith.

The state report recommends the Chancellor’s office create guidelines to clarify the CSU’s sexual harassment policy and its expectations when it comes to campus compliance. It also recommends more staff be hired to deal with Title IX cases, although this would “require significant time and resources.”

The state auditor also suggests the CSU establish specific expectations of how campus investigators should conduct their evaluations in order to be more consistent and credible. It’s also recommended that in cases where an instance of harassment does not fall under Title IX but is still deemed inappropriate or unprofessional, the situation should still be documented and result in a clear corrective or disciplinary action.

The updates in training detailed in AB 2806 also apply to California Community Colleges.

“Our understanding is that the Chancellor’s Office is developing training to meet this requirement, which will be distributed to all the (community colleges),” according to Kristin Darken, Monterey Peninsula College director of marketing and communications.

MPC’s Title IX office works with the vice president of human resources and employee relations and its staff is “trained to assist in investigations and contributes to a collaborative approach to the requirements of handling Title IX cases,” according to Darken. “We don’t anticipate that either of these new bills will affect MPC’s management of Title IX cases,” she said.

“As with any new legislation, Human Resources will ensure that policies and procedures are updated and current to reflect the new requirements,” said Dianna Rose, vice president of human resources at Hartnell College. “Additionally, training will continue for employees and students.”

Hartnell’s Title IX office has recently been restructured to include a human resources director “to help address compliance concerns and ensure we remain compliant,” said Rose. “When the position was filled in 2023, the reporting structure and processes were streamlined, roles clarified, and training was provided.”

Hartnell didn’t have any Title IX reports during the last academic year, according to Rose. MPC had six cases reported and investigated in 2023-24.

Besides AB 1790 and 2806, there are currently 11 other Title IX-related bills being discussed by the state legislature. AB 2047 calls for an Office of Civil Rights to monitor Title-IX offices across the system. AB 2492 proposes the creation of confidential positions that would assist students, staff and faculty through the reporting process. The CSU has given support to AB 2047, AB 2407 and 2492. It has not taken a position on the remaining nine bills, according to Bentley-Smith.

County District Attorney warns about scammers posing as law enforcement

The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office is warning residents about scammers impersonating law enforcement officers.

The office released a pubic service announcement on Tuesday, detailing how scammers may try to trick unsuspecting victims into providing their personal information or sending money by pretending to be law enforcement officers or representatives of government agencies.

“In one such scam, a scammer calls claiming to be a process server attempting to locate an individual and asks for personal information,” the press statement reads. “Another variation involves a scammer claiming that money must be paid to bail a loved one out of jail. Yet another scammer may claim that a warrant is out for failing to comply with a jury duty summons.”

The office warns against sending money to people that contact you over the phone or internet and are demanding money immediately. Scammers will also try to intimidate people, so the best way to protect yourself is to hang up.

During the county’s weekly briefing Chief Deputy District Attorney Emily Hickok reiterated the message, asking the public to look out for their loved ones who may be more susceptible to scams and to be cautious when you feel something isn’t right.

“The best way to avoid becoming a victim is to be educated about these scams, to be on alert, and to talk to your loved ones,” Hickok said. “We’ve seen these types of scams take various forms over the years.”

Hickok said the scammers impersonating law enforcement have been known to tell victims not to contact their local police department or use other scare tactics.

“In all of these circumstances, scammers try to pressure people into immediately divulging information, providing bank information, sending money, anything to get money. So you should be skeptical of any types of calls like this.”

Hickok said she could not confirm if more of these scams have been happening lately.

There are resources available county-wide that will allow people to double-check if they are being scammed.

“It’s fine for you to ask for that person’s name, title agency and then you can find the contact information for that agency and contact them directly so you can be sure that you’re talking to a legitimate agency and not someone that is impersonating the government officials,” Hickok said.

The District Attorney’s Office encourages anyone who has been the victim of a scam, or who has information regarding a potential fraud, to file a complaint with their primary police agency (this may be the local police department or Monterey County Sheriff’s Office). Additionally, you can alert the county office to scams by completing a consumer complaint form located on the Monterey County District Attorney’s website and emailing it to consumercomplaints@countyofmonterey.gov or mailing it to the District Attorney’s Office at 1200 Aguajito Road, Suite 301, Monterey, CA 93940, or by calling the District Attorney’s Office at (831) 647-7770.

Hannah Rogge, Financial Planning: The benefits of 401(k) participation

As a financial planner, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of saving as a cornerstone of financial success. Your level of income doesn’t necessarily position you for a successful retirement; rather, I have found that those who save and invest their savings tend to be the most financially secure later in life. Earners at any level of income can benefit from participating in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k).

The 401(k) was introduced more recently than you might think. The Retirement Act of 1978 included a provision allowing employees to avoid taxation on deferred compensation. Defined contribution plans, including 401(k)s, gained popularity during the ‘80s and ‘90s, surpassing pensions in active participation in the mid-1980s. This change was due in part to 401(k) plans shifting the risk of saving for retirement from the employer to the employee, making them more attractive to employers.

There are many benefits for participating in your 401(k) plan:

Automatic savings: 401(k)s are funded through contributions taken from your paycheck. This process lets you save consistently and makes it convenient to do so.

Tax benefits: Traditional 401(k)s are funded with pre-tax money, reducing your taxable income for the year. Investments within a 401(k) also grow tax-deferred, meaning you aren’t taxed on interest and dividends received from investments within your account. Instead, the money is taxed when you withdraw it from your 401(k) in retirement.

Employer contributions: In addition to your personal contributions, most 401(k) plans also offer an employer match. Contributions are often matched to a certain percentage of your salary (e.g., up to 4%). By contributing up to the employer match amount, you get extra money from your employer, in addition to your salary, significantly boosting your retirement savings over time.

Loans and hardship withdrawals: While you normally can’t withdraw funds from a 401(k) before age 59.5 without paying a penalty (it’s a retirement account, after all), there are a few exceptions. Your plan may let you take a loan from your 401(k) in an emergency, or to cover an otherwise unaffordable large cost (a down payment on a house, for example). However, you will be required to pay back that loan, plus interest, or face an early withdrawal penalty. Any interest on the loan is paid back into your own account, making a 401(k) loan more attractive than a standard bank loan, all things being equal. A hardship withdrawal is an early distribution from a retirement account to cover an immediate financial need. This type of withdrawal is taxed to the participant, but doesn’t need to be paid back.

Relatively high contribution limits: 401(k) plans limit employee contributions to $23,000 per year, as of 2024. This is relatively high compared to other retirement savings accounts—by comparison, the contribution limit for an IRA account is $7,000 in 2024. Participants over age 50 are eligible to contribute an additional $7,500 “catch-up” contribution to their 401(k).

Investment options: 401(k)s typically provide a diversified list of investment options, providing exposure to equities, bonds, and cash equivalents. You can select investments to create a diversified portfolio that meets your particular risk tolerance and time horizon. Most plans also provide a default investment, often in the form of a target date fund, for participants who don’t make a selection or prefer a hands-off approach.

Legal protections: Since their inception, 401(k)s have undergone several regulatory changes designed to protect plan participants. These are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which sets standards for many elements of a retirement plan, including participation, vesting, and funding requirements. ERISA also sets fiduciary standards for plan sponsors, trustees, and managers, ensuring they run plans in the best interest of participants. 401(k)s are generally protected against creditors, civil lawsuits, and bankruptcy proceedings.

If you have access to a 401(k), you’ll want to review its Summary Plan Description (SPD), which details the specific terms of your 401(k) plan, including eligibility requirements, plan benefits, contribution sources, and participant rights.

When it comes to retirement savings, every little bit counts—and the earlier you begin to save, the better. 401(k)s provide their participants with numerous benefits, and they can be a great tool for building wealth throughout your working years.

Hannah Rogge is a senior wealth advisor at Monterey Private Wealth, Inc., an independent wealth management firm in Monterey. She welcomes questions you may have concerning investments, taxes, retirement, or estate planning.  Send your questions to: Hannah Rogge, 2340 Garden Road Suite 202, Monterey, CA 93940 or email hannah@montereypw.com.

Raiders bring training camp back to California

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By MARK ANDERSON | AP Sports Writer

COSTA MESA — The Pacific Ocean can be seen in the distance, Huntington Beach Pier is a short walk away and bars and restaurants crowd the city square.

Flying high above one such establishment is a half-Raiders, half-Dodgers flag.

Killarney’s Irish Pub on Sunday afternoons during the NFL season is packed with fans wearing silver and black. An emcee takes over the microphone, the Raiders’ theme song “The Autumn Wind” is played and all 15 TVs inside and the four outside are tuned to Las Vegas games.

“I’d say the environment here is pretty special,” Killarney’s general manager Clay Dale said. “Pun intended, it’s a very intoxicating environment.”

The Rams and Chargers call the Los Angeles area home, but the Raiders maintain a massive presence in the region. And the Raiders have returned to SoCal – for the next two weeks, anyway.

They have taken over the Chargers’ former training camp home in Costa Mesa, about a 20-minute drive from Killarney’s. But the Raiders, who played in Los Angeles from 1982-94 in between stints in Oakland, can’t tap into their Southern California fan base to generate in-person excitement as their players begin preseason practices Wednesday.

But because of NFL policy, the Raiders cannot promote their presence. No billboards. No newspaper ads or radio commercials. Las Vegas media outlets can cover camp, but the team is not allowed to invite L.A. or Orange County-based media outlets. Nor will practices be open to fans, though some VIPs, select season-ticket holders, sponsors and invited guests will be allowed into the Jack Hammett Sports Complex.

Since permanently relocating from St. Louis and San Diego, respectively, the Rams and Chargers share territorial marketing rights to the area.

“Every club has an exclusive home territory extending 75 miles in all directions from the exterior corporate borders of the city for which it holds a franchise,” per league policy. “If another club holds its preseason training camp within that exclusive territory then it cannot be marketed locally.”

Interestingly, there will be five NFL teams within 100 miles of each other during camp. The New Orleans Saints are holding theirs at UC Irvine, which hosted the Rams from 2016 to 2019 and 2021 to 2023. The Saints needed a new location during construction of a new cafeteria at their team complex. The Rams (Loyola Marymount), Chargers (El Segundo) and Dallas Cowboys (Oxnard) will be in L.A. County.

The Cowboys have been in Oxnard off and on since 2001, before the Rams and Chargers returned to the region, and were essentially grandfathered in with clearance for marketing and open practices.

Raiders owner Mark Davis shrugs off the territorial limitations for his team, saying the bigger point was being able to bond as a team, and that the club also considered its former training camp home in Napa.

“It would be nice if all the fans could be there, but, whatever,” Davis told ESPN. “The Chargers and Rams have that ability.”

First-year Raiders general manager Tom Telesco, who spent the previous 11 years as GM of the Chargers, helped facilitate the move to Costa Mesa.

“It’s a great setup, but it’s not all on one campus,” Davis said. “That’s something we’ve always had for our campuses. We’ve pretty much always had the hotels and the fields together, so this is a little bit of a work-around. But it’s going to be fantastic.”

Relocating camp from the team headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, represents a little bit of a homecoming for Coach Antonio Pierce.

He grew up a Raiders fan in nearby Compton.

“When the plane hit the tarmac, I smiled,” Pierce said. “It felt good to be home. I’m excited for our players to be here and enjoy some nice weather and be able to get away for a little bit.”

Pierce said the temperature was about 105 degrees when he left Las Vegas, about 30 degrees hotter than in Costa Mesa. The mild temperatures allow the Raiders to schedule practices at more advantageous times, and the team will work out at night when it returns to Nevada in mid-August.

This is Pierce’s first camp as a head coach, having been hired in the offseason after going 5-4 as the interim coach last season.

Pierce has some decisions to make, most notably at quarterback between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew. He said there was no timeline on when to pick a starter, and both QBs are opening camp on essentially equal footing.

But this is what Pierce has dreamed of – being the one in charge.

He said not having fans and being away from family responsibilities for a couple of weeks allows the players to focus on the job at hand.

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“I think it would be really critical for our team to become the tightest unit possible,” Pierce said. “It’s all peaches and cream now. The sun’s bright. There are going to be some dark moments and dark days, and we’re going to have to be ready to go through some adversity together.”

Such adversity is hard to imagine just a short drive away during a laid-back Tuesday morning at Killarney’s. Raiders memorabilia is scattered throughout the pub, including a signed photo of Hall of Fame coach Tom Flores after the Super Bowl victory in the 1983 season and the 1984 schedule that proclaims “The World Champion Los Angeles Raiders.”

The Raiders left Southern California 30 years ago, but to some, they aren’t truly gone.

That’s evident on game days when the pub opens its doors at 8 a.m. There will be a line outside by 7:30 if the Raiders are playing one of the early games. All the seats are gone by 10 for an afternoon kickoff.

“I think for a lot of these people it’s a home away from home,” Dale said. “It’s a mini Black Hole. The Raiders have one of those fan bases that’s definitely a head above everyone else. It’s a cult following in a sense, but very proud to be Raiders fans.”

Horoscopes July 24, 2024: Jennifer Lopez, contribute your best effort

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Elisabeth Moss, 42; Anna Paquin, 42; Jennifer Lopez, 55; Kristin Chenoweth, 56.

Happy Birthday: Take the time to get the facts and figures this year. Too much of anything will work against you. Stay focused on what’s essential, and reduce your intake and overhead. Use your energy to make a difference, and work toward a lifestyle that offers peace of mind and gratitude. Contribute your best effort where it will have an impact. Your numbers are 2, 13, 18, 26, 34, 39, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Mix things up and combine business with pleasure. You’ll get a different perspective on making the most of your day. An opportunity will arise due to sharing information; however, it’s better to verify information before you commit. A physical improvement will fetch compliments. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Concentrate on putting your chores behind you early in the day. You’ll want to relax and take care of your personal needs. Refuse to let anyone take advantage of you or talk you into something that doesn’t appeal to you. Implement changes that offer peace of mind. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Give yourself a break, think and decide your next move. Don’t let anyone pressure you or lure you down a path that tempts you to be emotionally, financially or physically overindulgent. Be good to yourself and you’ll have no regrets. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Settling for less than you want isn’t acceptable. Refuse to let outside influences stand between you and what you want. Use your imagination and think innovatively, and you’ll find a solution that will satisfy your needs and meet the requirements necessary to reach your objective. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let your creativity flourish. Be open to suggestions, but pay attention to your budget. A change is apparent, but only if your motives are genuine. Put your emotions aside and let your intelligence decide what’s best for you. Make personal growth and gain your priorities. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Address financial issues and contracts, and implement the changes necessary to head in a better direction. Change your surroundings and routine, or reach out to those who can offer a unique perspective. You’ll discover something that will encourage you to take responsibility for your happiness. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Create opportunities, expand your mind, learn a new skill and initiate positive change. Take control of your destiny, and use your intelligence and charm to win favors and support. Don’t overreact or underestimate; gather the facts and invest time and energy to reach your objective. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take a deep breath, exhale and rethink your journey. Take a break to do something that distances you from problems or uncertainty before you revisit lingering problems. There are far more options than you realize. Dump dead weight and replace it with something new and exciting. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Set your sights on what brings you joy. Refuse to let anyone drag you into their drama or try to dump responsibilities that don’t belong to you in your lap. Concentrate on looking, feeling and doing your best; you’ll gain confidence and insight into your next endeavor. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Research before agreeing to changes. Evaluate the cost and time it will take to reach your objective. Get as many opinions as possible and assess the potential outcome before venturing down an unfamiliar path. Don’t fold under pressure or let your emotions lead the way. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): High energy, excitement and adopting an electrifying lifestyle change will brighten your outlook and encourage spending more time with the ones you love doing the things that bring you the most joy. Step up and live life your way. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Put the past behind you, live in the moment and use your skills, knowledge and experience to get you where you want to go. You’ll have the discipline to outmaneuver anyone who tries to get in your way. Forward-thinking will bring the best outcome. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are fetching, optimistic and modern. You are accommodating and sensitive.

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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PHOTOS: The Summer Olympics is remaking Paris

The Olympic rings hang from the Eiffel Tower, monuments are emblazed with imagery of the Games and security gates are blocking easy access to some of the top landmarks in the City of Love.

Tightened security ahead of the opening ceremony Friday along the Seine river means both locals and the visitors who have descended on the city must navigate snaking metal barriers requiring a QR code attained in advance to pass through.

It’s challenging the Paris Olympics slogan of “Games wide open.”

While tough security measures have sealed off kilometers (miles) of the Seine for the opening ceremony, it’s not stopping those intent on enjoying some of the iconic sights of the French capital.

Tourists are still snapping photos in front of the Louvre museum’s iconic pyramid, people parade past the hilltop Sacre Coeur basilica and Arc de Triomphe, and there’s even been a proposal or two in front of the Eiffel Tower.

The sun sets against the Hotel des Invalides as a spectator walks on the Alexander III bridge over the Seine River, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Paris, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics. (AP Photo/David Goldman)Copies of one of the most famous Greek statues, the Venus of Milo, stand on the steps of the French National Assembly ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Paris, France. The Venus, by artist Laurent Perbos, has regained her arms and is now equipped with the attributes of six sporting disciplines. (AP Photo/David Goldman)The Eiffel Tower is illuminated as diners sit in a cafe ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)Alejandro Machuca, left, proposes to his girlfriend, Aura Guizar, both of Guadalajara, Mexico, in front of the Eiffel Tower decorated with the Olympic rings, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, while on vacation in Paris. She said yes. (AP Photo/David Goldman)A woman from Mexico poses in the courtyard of the Louvre museum, which is outside the security perimeter set up for the Olympic Games, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman)A patron takes a photo while sitting at a cafe along the Seine River, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Paris, France, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics. (AP Photo/David Goldman)Kids play in Olympic rings set up on Place de la Bastille, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman)Vivianne Robinson, of Los Angeles, shows the flag pole she carries with all the countries who have hosted an Olympics as she stops to talk to people on the street while walking through Paris ahead at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 20, 2024. This will be Robinson’s seventh Olympics she will have attended in person. (AP Photo/David Goldman)The Olympic torch is seen during a relay in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum Sunday, July 14, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)The Eiffel Tower is seen behind a Paris Olympics canvas, from the Trocadero plaza Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)The Sacre Coeur basilica stands in the background, left, as visitors reach the top of the George Pompidou Beaubourg museum ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)People shop at an open-air market in front of Team USA House, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Paris, France. Team USA House is set up at the former Paris stock exchange and will offer activities and a base to cheer on and celebrate Team USA at the Olympic Games. (AP Photo/David Goldman)The Hotel de Ville, or town hall, is decorated for the 2024 Summer Olympics as children shoot basketballs at a fan zone set on the square, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Paris. France. (AP Photo/David Goldman)A couple embraces in the street as the flag of France hangs from a restaurant ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)A child rides a carousel near Sacre Coeur of Montmartre Basilica, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)A woman uses water to clean the sidewalk outside a building on a quiet street adjacent to road closures ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)People walk past souvenir shops and restaurants below Sacre Coeur of Montmartre Basilica, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Members of a firefighter brigade band cross the street to perform at a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)This photo shows a view from the Eiffel Tower ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)A full moon rises behind the Olympic rings hanging from the Eiffel Tower, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Paris, France. The opening ceremony for the Olympic Games is Friday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)A store owner, who didn’t want to give his name, moves a display into his souvenir shop as he closes for the evening near the Eiffel Tower ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Paris. He’s said he’s seen his business decline since a security perimeter went into effect limiting the public’s movement near the Seine river. (AP Photo/David Goldman)Stella Andrade, who is pregnant, and her daughter Rafaela, from Brazil, visit the Eiffel Tower ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)People walk past a restaurant decorated with artwork, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)A bicyclist reaches over a security fence set up for the 2024 Summer Olympics to take a picture of the sunset as the Conciergerie building, a former prison, now used partly as a law court, stands in the background at left, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)