Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 61

Dozens of countries with no deals face higher tariffs as trade deadline nears

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Numerous countries around the world are facing the prospect of much higher duties on their exports to the United States on Friday, a potential blow to the global economy, because they haven’t yet reached a trade deal with the Trump administration.

Some of the United States’ biggest trading partners have reached agreements, or at least the outlines of one, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Even so, those countries face much higher tariffs than were in effect before Trump took office. And other large trading partners — most notably China and Mexico — received an extension to keep negotiating and won’t be hit with new duties Friday, but they will likely end up paying more.

President Donald Trump intends the duties to bring back manufacturing to the United States, while also forcing other countries to reduce their trade barriers to U.S. exports. Trump argues that foreign exporters will pay the cost of the tariffs, but so far economists have found that most are being paid by U.S. companies. And measures of U.S. inflation have started to tick higher as prices of imported goods, such as furniture, appliances, and toys rise.

For those countries without an agreement, they could face duties of as much as 50%, including on large economies such as Brazil, Canada, Taiwan, and India. Many smaller countries are also on track to pay more, including South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and even tiny Lesotho.

The duties originated from Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” announcement that the United States would impose import taxes of up to 50% on nearly 60 countries and economies, including the 27-nation European Union. Those duties, originally scheduled for April 9, were then postponed twice, first to July 9 and then Aug. 1.

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As of Thursday afternoon, White House representatives — and Trump himself — insisted that no more delays were possible.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that Trump “at some point this afternoon or later this evening” will sign an order to impose new tariff rates starting midnight on Friday.

Countries that have not received a prior letter on tariffs from Trump or negotiated a trade framework will be notified of their likely tariff rates, Leavitt said, either in the form of a letter or Trump’s executive order. At least two dozen countries were sent letters setting out their tariff rates.

On Wednesday, Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social, “THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE IS THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE — IT STANDS STRONG, AND WILL NOT BE EXTENDED.”

Which countries have a trade agreement?

In a flurry of last minute deal-making, the Trump has been announcing agreements as late as Thursday, but they are largely short on details.

On Thursday, the U.S. and Pakistan reached a trade agreement expected to allow Washington to help develop Pakistan’s largely untapped oil reserves and lower tariffs for the South Asian country.

And on Wednesday, Trump announced a deal with South Korea that would impose 15% tariffs on goods from that country. That is below the 25% duties that Trump threatened in April.

Agreements have also been reached with the European Union, Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. The agreement with the Philippines barely reduced the tariff it will pay, from 20% to 19%.

And which countries don’t?

The exact number of countries facing higher duties isn’t clear, but the majority of the 200 have not made deals. Trump has already slapped large duties on Brazil and India even before the deadline was reached.

In the case of Brazil, Trump signed an executive order late Wednesday imposing a 50% duty on imports, though he exempted several large categories, including aircraft, aluminum, and energy products. Trump is angry at Brazil’s government because it is prosecuting its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, for attempting to overturn his election loss in 2022. Trump was indicted on a similar charge in 2023.

While Trump has sought to justify the widespread tariffs as an effort to combat the United States’ chronic trade deficits, the U.S. actually has a trade surplus with Brazil — meaning it sells more goods and services to Brazil than it buys from that country.

Negotiations between the U.S. and Canada have been complicated by the Canadian government’s announcement that it will recognize a Palestinian state in September. Trump said early Thursday that the announcement “will make it very hard” for the U.S. to reach a trade deal with Canada.

Late Wednesday, Trump said that India would pay a 25% duty on all its exports, in part because it has continued to purchase oil from Russia.

On Thursday, the White House said it had extended the deadline to reach a deal with Mexico for another 90 days, citing the complexity of the trade relationship, which is governed by the trade agreement Trump reached when he updated NAFTA in his first term.

For smaller countries caught in Trump’s cross hairs, the Aug. 1 deadline is particularly difficult because the White House has acknowledged they aren’t able to negotiate with every country facing tariff threats. Lesotho, for example, a small country in southern Africa, was hit with a 50% duty on April 2, and even though it was postponed, the threat has already devastated its apparel industry, costing thousands of jobs.

“There’s 200 countries,’’ the president acknowledged earlier this month. “You can’t talk to all of them.’’

AP Writers Josh Boak and Wyatte Grantham-Philipps contributed to this report.

White House announces new $200M ballroom as part of Trump’s latest makeover of ‘The People’s House’

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Thursday announced that construction on a new $200 million ballroom will begin in September and be ready before President Donald Trump ‘s term ends in early 2029.

It will be the latest change introduced to what’s known as “The People’s House” since the Republican president returned to office in January. It also will be the first structural change to the Executive Mansion since the addition of the Truman balcony in 1948.

Trump has substantially redecorated the Oval Office through the addition of golden flourishes and cherubs, presidential portraits and other items and installed massive flagpoles to fly the American flag on the north and south lawns. Workers are currently finishing a project to replace the lawn in the Rose Garden with stone.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds up photos of the planned new White House ballroom during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump for months has been promising to build a ballroom, saying the White House doesn’t have space big enough to hold large events and scoffing at the notion of hosting heads of state and other guests in tents on the lawn as past administrations have done for state dinners attended by hundreds of guests.

The East Room, the largest room in the the White House, can accommodate about 200 people.

As he and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held talks in the ballroom of the hotel on his golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, on Sunday, Trump praised the space and said it was what he envisioned adding to the White House.

“The White House has wanted a ballroom for 150 years, but they never had a real estate person. You know, nobody, no president knew how to build a ballroom,” he said, harkening back to his early career in real estate and construction.

He said the Turnberry ballroom had been “quite the success” since it opened a short time ago. That ballroom “boasts a generous capacity of up to 500 guests,” according to the hotel’s website.

“I was just saying I could take this one, drop it right down there and it would be beautiful,” Trump said. “This is exactly what they’ve wanted.”

The White House is pictured before President Donald Trump departs, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The 90,000-square-foot ballroom, announced on Thursday, will be built where the East Wing currently sits and will have a seated capacity of 650 people. The East Wing is home to several offices, including the first lady’s. Those offices will be temporarily relocated during construction while that wing of the building is modernized and renovated, said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

“Nothing will be torn down,” she said.

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White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said the president and his White House are “fully committed” to working with the appropriate organizations to preserve the mansion’s “special history.”

“President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail,” Wiles said in a statement.

Leavitt said at her briefing Thursday that Trump and other donors have committed to raising the approximately $200 million in construction costs. She did not name any of the other donors.

Renderings of what the future ballroom will look like were posted on the White House website.

Trump has chosen McCrery Architects, based in Washington, as lead architect on the project. The construction team will be led by Clark Construction. Engineering will be provided by AECOM.

County officials warn against illegal campfires during wildfire season

Monterey County officials are doubling down on public messaging, warning against illegal campfires due to extreme wildfire danger.

The County Administrative Office sent out a statement reminding all residents and visitors that all dispersed campfires, or open flames, are prohibited in the District of Los Padres National Forest. The ban applies to both public lands and private properties. Violators may face fines up to $5,000 and up to six months in prison.

Nick Pasculli, chief public information officer for Monterey County, said there has been an uptick in illegal fires reported by residents and public agencies. “There have even been instances of people starting campfires on private property, which is not advisable. These restrictions apply to all land, public or private.” Los Padres National Forest spokesperson Andrew Madsen, said the risk of wildfires can change day to day.

“It’s fire season, and it’s very dry out there. All it takes is a day or two for the weather to flip and we could be in a red flag situation,” Madsen said.

He added that many of the incidents are tied to visitors who are unaware or misinformed. “We get a lot of people coming into Big Sur from out of the area. They’re relying on camping blogs and old online posts that say you can camp for free,” Madsen said. “They’ll gather rocks, build a fire ring, and start a fire — regardless of the fact that there are clear restrictions in place. We get reports almost daily.”

As recently as July 12, fire remnants were found scattered along 10 miles of South Coast Ridge Road. Two active campfires were also found last weekend in the San Martin dispersed area near Upper Los Burros Road.

Since June 20, Forest Service and Big Sur South Coast Fire Patrol volunteers have documented and dismantled 10 illegal fire sites.

Josh Silveira, Battalion Chief with CAL FIRE BEU, said the ongoing public education campaign is about prevention.

“This happens every year, but our goal is to reach more people,” Silveira said. “We’re using social media and other tools to get the word out. It’s an opportunity to educate and to make sure people are doing the right thing.”

Silveira emphasized that it’s not about banning campfires outright, but making sure people understand where and when they’re allowed.

“You can still have a campfire in certain areas, but most places require a permit,” Silveira said.

Only developed campgrounds like Kirk Creek and Plaskett Creek currently allow campfires. Even there, visitors must follow strict rules. Propane lanterns and stoves may be permitted with proper clearance, but open flames outside designated areas are not.

Local residents say they can often see illegal campfires glowing across the backcountry at night.

“There are no safe campfires in these conditions,” Madsen said. “If you light a campfire in a prohibited area, you are risking lives, property and the wildlands.”

SF Giants sell at trade deadline, trading Doval, Yastrzemski

For Buster Posey, there wasn’t a singular “ah ha” moment where the Giants devolved from buyers to sellers. It was a gradual process, every loss incrementally pushing the front office to ship players out instead of bringing them in.

They sent longtime reliever Tyler Rogers to the New York Mets on Wednesday in the midst of being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates. At Thursday’s trade deadline, more farewells were said. Camilo Doval will also head to the East Coast, shipped to the New York Yankees for four prospects. Mike Yastrzemski is gone, too, heading to the Kansas City Royals for a pitching prospect.

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The Giants, who are below .500 for the first time all year, did not think they would be here. Not after momentarily tying the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the NL West. Not after trading for three-time All-Star Rafael Devers. Not after going into the second half with a 52-45 record.

Yet, here they are.

“We wish we were in a spot that we were adding,” Posey said, “but as poorly as we’ve played since the All-Star break, we all felt like it was the best decision for the organization to try to get those pieces coming back that will help us in the future.”

It’s certainly possible that the eight players added in the last two days can help the team in the future.

The return for Doval was right-hander Trystan Vrieling, catcher/infielder Jesus Rodriguez, infielder Parks Harber and left-hander Carlos De La Rosa. Per MLB Pipeline, Vrieling and Rodriguez were the Yankees’ No. 19 and No. 25 prospects. For Yastrzemski, the Giants received right-hander Yunior Marte — a different Yunior Marte from the one who was part of the trade for left-hander Erik Miller.

Rogers’ return was right-handers José Buttó and Blade Tidwell and outfielder Drew Gilbert. Buttó, who has pitched in parts of four major-league seasons, will join the bullpen in Queens; Tidwell made his debut earlier this season and could toss some innings.

Of all the players the Giants acquired, Posey made it a point to highlight the the 23-year-old Rodriguez, who has played catcher, first base, second base, third base and left field in the minors.

“All he’s done is hit,” Posey said of Rodriguez. “He’s been a player, listening to our pro scouting department talk about him, that’s kind of come onto the scene a little bit later. He’s never really been a famous guy. He’s a .308 hitter in the minor leagues. You watch his swing, he sprays the ball all over the field. “We’re happy — excited about him.”

For all Posey’s excitement about Rodriguez and company, the front office’s immediate focus a month ago was not on the future. It was on the present, and it was on winning now.

Then the team dropped 12 of its last 14 games. Then the Giants lost six straight — first falling to .500, then falling below it. Then they fell six games back of the final NL Wild Card spot to the San Diego Padres, who bolstered their roster by adding a bevy of players headlined by All-Stars Mason Miller and Ryan O’Hearn.

Posey, who’s been through his share of lows, had no explanation as to what’s gone on the last several weeks.

“We all wish we had something we could concretely point to,” Posey said. “It’s just a really rough stretch. … Again, we wish we weren’t in this spot and we were adding at this point.”

The Giants, as bad as they have been, have not been mathematically eliminated.

Beginning on Friday, they have 53 games remaining in the regular season. Yastrzemski, when speaking to reporters on Wednesday, noted “crazier things have happened.” When asked if he believes this team can still compete, Posey told reporters that “nothing’s ever out of the question there.”

“We’ve got to play better baseball — plain and simple,” Posey said. “We just haven’t looked like the same team as we did at the beginning of the year. I felt like at the beginning of the year, we harped on doing the little things right. It was clean baseball. We’ve kind of taken a 180. So, we’ve somehow got to recapture that form, that style of baseball that we had at the beginning of the season.

“Losing a guy like Rog, like Doval, like Yaz, these are veteran players that do impact your team. But we still feel like we’ve got a group that should go out there and perform much better than they have the last month or so.”

Those three players — Rogers, Doval, Yastrzemski — were among the select few on the Giants’ roster who Posey once called his teammates.

Doval, 28, spent his entire professional career with the Giants dating back to when he signed with the team as an international free agent in October 2015. Over five seasons, Doval had a 3.29 ERA and totaled 107 saves, the seventh-most in Giants history.

Yastrzemski, 34, spent six years in the Baltimore Orioles’ farm system before being traded to the Giants in March 2019. Despite making his debut at 28, Yastrzemski established himself as a mainstay in San Francisco’s outfield and played 790 games over seven major-league seasons. During that time, he hit 114 home runs and posted a .768 OPS.

Now, two-time All-Star Logan Webb and designated hitter Wilmer Flores are the only two players remaining on the roster who played alongside Posey. The Giants also designated first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. for assignment back in June before trading him to the Los Angeles Angels.

Rogers and Yastrzemski could rejoin the Giants in the offseason, but Posey could not comment on that possibility because they’re now on different teams.

“I knew when I took this job, one of the harder parts was going to be, at some point, moving on from guys that I had a personal relationship with and I played with,” Posey said. “That’s not an easy phone call or conversation to have in person, but overall, I think (general manager) Zach (Minasian), myself and the rest of the group are happy with the players that we have coming to putting on a Giants uniform now.”

Among those still wearing a Giants uniform are Flores, Justin Verlander and Dominic Smith, all of whom are set to become free agents this offseason. Before Verlander signed, he and Posey talked about what Verlander might want to do at the deadline. That said, Posey said he did not approach the future Hall of Famer about being traded.

Two-time All-Star Robbie Ray, who is owed $25 million next season, remains a Giant as well. Posey said the team fielded calls but would’ve needed to have been “blown out of the water” to make a deal.

With Doval, Rogers and Yastrzemski gone, the Giants have three roles to fill: closer, setup man and starting right fielder. Minasian said the team wants manager Bob Melvin to dictate those spots, but All-Star Randy Rodríguez stands to inherit that role. Ryan Walker, who entered the season as the closer, is also a possibility.

As far as right field, Luis Matos will likely receive extended playing time with Yastrzemski’s departure. It’s possible that Grant McCray and Marco Luciano, who transitioned from infield to outfield this offseason, see time in right over the next two months as well.

Regarding Bryce Eldridge, Posey downplayed the possibility of him making his debut this season after he missed several weeks due to a hamstring injury. Eldridge, the team’s top prospect, is unquestionably a foundational piece of this team’s future.

A future this team hopes is brighter than its present.

Trump ally Jeffrey Clark should be disbarred over 2020 election effort, DC panel says

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jeffrey Clark, the former Justice Department official who aided President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, should be stripped of his law license, a Washington disciplinary panel ruled on Thursday.

Clark, who is now overseeing a federal regulatory office, played a key role in Trump’s efforts to challenge his election loss to Joe Biden and clashed with Justice Department superiors who refused to back his false claims of fraud.

The D.C. Board of Professional Responsibility’s recommendation will now go to the D.C. Court of Appeals for a final decision.

Under the second Trump administration, Clark has been serving as acting head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, a part of the Office of Management and Budget that is responsible for reviewing executive branch regulations.

OMB spokesperson Rachel Cauley said in a post on X that “this latest injustice is just another chapter in the Deep State’s ongoing assault on President Trump and those who stood beside him in defense of the truth.”

“JEFF CLARK has been harassed, raided, doxed, and blacklisted simply for questioning a RIGGED election and serving President Trump,” she wrote.

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At issue in the D.C. bar proceedings was a letter that Clark, as an assistant attorney general in the first Trump administration, drafted that said the Justice Department was investigating “various irregularities” and had identified “significant concerns” that may have impacted the election in Georgia and other states. Clark wanted the letter sent to Georgia lawmakers, but Justice Department superiors refused.

The board said disciplinary counsel proved that Clark made “intentionally false statements” when he continued to push for the Justice Department to issue the letter after being told by superiors that it contained falsehoods.

“Lawyers cannot advocate for any outcome based on false statements and they certainly cannot urge others to do so,” the board’s report said. “Respondent persistently and energetically sought to do just that on an important national issue. He should be disbarred as a consequence and to send a message to the rest of the Bar and to the public that this behavior will not be tolerated.”

Clark’s attorney, Harry MacDougald, argued during disciplinary hearings last year that the letter was part of the debate that normally occurs between lawyers and that punishing Clark in those circumstances would have a “chilling effect.”

Clark’s conflict with Justice Department superiors culminated in a contentious, hourslong meeting at the White House on Jan. 3, 2021, in which Trump openly considered installing Clark as acting attorney general, according to a Senate Judiciary report. Several officials in the Jan. 3 meeting told Trump they would resign if he put Clark in charge at the Justice Department.

Another close Trump ally, Rudy Giuliani, was disbarred in Washington last year, months after he lost his law license in New York for pursuing false claims Trump made about his 2020 election loss.

Caltrans confirms investigation into work hour party

MONTEREY – Caltrans says it has launched an investigation and taken disciplinary steps after a report of a retirement party during work hours at its Monterey facility on Garden Road that allegedly included alcohol and an exotic dancer.

“Caltrans takes these allegations with the utmost seriousness and is unwavering in holding those involved accountable,” said Matthew Rocco, Caltrans spokesman via email. “We quickly launched an investigation and have taken immediate disciplinary action. The behavior described has absolutely no place in our department and stands in direct opposition to our values and ethical standards.”

In an email sent to local television station KSBW, which broke the story, a confidential source described the activity in detail including “… that some supervisors were seen consuming alcohol and then driving away from the yard in official state-issued Caltrans vehicles while under the influence… a blatant violation of Caltrans policy, but also a criminal offense and serious liability.”

The station confirmed with Caltrans that the party took place on July 10 at the Monterey facility and that the same email was sent to Caltrans leadership and its human resources department. It also confirmed that 12 Caltrans employees have reportedly been put on leave, 10 served with termination notices and two with suspension.

Caltrans said that the employee for whom the retirement party was thrown was not among those facing disciplinary actions.

It is unclear if any photos or videos of the party exist or if the Caltrans facility was equipped with surveillance cameras that may have captured the retirement party, according to published reports.

The California Department of Transportation is an executive department of the state, is part of the cabinet-level California State Transportation Agency, and is headquartered in Sacramento.

Caltrans manages more than 50,000 miles of California’s highway and freeway lanes, provides inter-city rail services, permits more than 400 public-use airports and special-use hospital heliports, and works with local agencies. Caltrans carries out its mission with six primary programs: Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration and the Equipment Service Center.

Like all state agencies, Caltrans must first serve employees with notices of the proposed disciplinary action and evidence supporting the allegations before the penalties go into effect, according to published reports.

Employees can opt for a review of the disciplinary action and if it is upheld, can make an appeal to the State Personnel Board.

Carnegie Classifications: Hartnell and CSUMB recognized for student success

Hartnell College and Cal State Monterey Bay both received national recognition as institutions that provide broad student access and earning opportunities. CSUMB was also recognized for its investments in research.

The 2025 Carnegie Classifications recognize colleges and universities that prioritize student success and access to higher education for students from lower socioeconomic and historically underrepresented backgrounds, as well as the degree to which students go on to earn competitive wages.

“This classification affirms Hartnell’s institutional mission to expand educational opportunity and support student achievement,” said Michael Gutierrez, superintendent/president of Hartnell in a news release. “We remain focused on advancing economic mobility for our students and the communities we serve.”

Being named Opportunity Colleges and Universities means the Carnegie Foundation believes Hartnell and CSUMB can serve as models for institutions to study how to foster student success.

The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education’s Carnegie Classification framework was first published in 1973 as a way to support research and policy analysis. The Carnegie Foundation collaborates with the American Council on Education to preserve the Classification system, which serves as “the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education,” according to its website. The framework is updated every three years to reflect changes in colleges and universities.

Hartnell is one of 60 community colleges in the country, and one of two in the state, to be named as an Opportunity College and University.

CSUMB is one of 216 institutions to be recognized as a Research College and University for spending at least $2.5 million on research. It’s one of 33 institutions to earn both recognitions.

“More than just a recognition, it celebrates our continued excellence and dedication to student success,” CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones wrote in a letter to the campus community, “and serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and spirit of our university.”

The Student Access and Earnings Classification looks at the percentage of a university’s students who receive Pell Grants, how many students come from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds and the average earnings eight years after enrollment. Local economic and demographic data is also taken into account.

The classification compares the earnings of the students who have graduated from Opportunity Colleges and Universities compared to a similar population in those areas with a high school diploma or higher credential.

The median earnings for Hartnell graduates is about $40,000 compared to $31,000. CSUMB graduates earn approximately $55,000 compared to a similar population which makes just under $34,000.

“Being named an Opportunity College affirms what drives our work at Hartnell: the belief that education transforms lives, both for our students and their families,” said Gayle Pitman, vice president of institutional equity, effectiveness and success in a news release. “We are committed to expanding opportunity in ways that disrupt cycles of poverty and close gaps in education and income across generations.”

49ers’ Ricky Pearsall enters camp in ‘positive light’ despite shooting flashbacks

SANTA CLARA – Ricky Pearsall’s upbeat presence at 49ers training camp reflects his healthy strides, and not just physically.

It’s been 11 months since he survived a gunshot wound through his right chest in an attempted robbery he foiled near San Francisco’s Union Square.

“Unfortunately, I revisit that every single night I go to bed,” Pearsall said after Thursday’s practice. “I kind of carry that with me. Now it’s not as much as avoiding it and whether or not to revisit it. It’s more about how I deal with it and the light I put on it.

“It’s a positive light and things I can get out of that, to try to inspire other people. I’ve been doing a better job dealing with it, myself.”

Ricky Pearsall #14 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 05, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Pearsall’s health – mentally, emotionally, spiritually and, more obvious, physically – is a major storyline at camp, even more so because the 49ers’ receiving corps is missing Brandon Aiyuk (knee; Physically Unable to Perform list), Jauan Jennings (calf) and Jacob Cowing (hamstring), not to mention Deebo Samuel, one of Pearsall’s rookie mentors who got traded in March to Washington.

Pearsall strongly finished the most improbable of rookie years by producing 210 yards on 14 catches over the final two games, with a touchdown in each start. The day after the season ended, Pearsall said he planned on using part of the offseason to reflect on his death-defying incident, perhaps even reaching out to the 17-year-old suspect from Tracy who was immediately apprehended and sent to Juvenile Hall.

“That’s something I’ll probably do moving forward, maybe not right now because there are a lot of other things I want to focus on that are my priorities,” Pearsall said Thursday. “But when it gets to that point where I can sit down and talk to the kid, I want to first see if he’s open to it. That’s important to me.”

San Francisco police investigate the scene where Ricky Pearsall, the 49ers’ first-round draft pick, was shot on the first block of Geary Street near Union Square, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

That trauma delayed Pearsall’s NFL debut until a Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and Pearsall said the ensuing weeks of practice essentially were his training camp, most of which he missed in August because of hamstring and shoulder issues.

He’s now recovered from May’s after-practice hamstring strain that had him open this camp on the PUP list. Also, the left shoulder that’s slipped out of socket for years no longer requires a no-contact jersey like last summer.

Now wearing Samuel’s former No. 1 jersey, Pearsall, a 2024 first-round pick at No. 31 overall, remains limited through three practices since Sunday’s camp debut.

“We’re still trying to get Ricky back. We’re easing him in,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Today he got like eight plays. It’ll get there. We’re trying to make sure he can last throughout camp.”

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, seen here during the rookie minicamp, was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on September 2 after he was shot in the chest.

Pearsall caught passes from both Brock Purdy and backup Mac Jones in Thursday’s session. The connection with Purdy looks in sync, and that can be traced not only to last season but this offseason’s throwing sessions in Florida, Arizona and, of course, Santa Clara.

Pearsall said this camp’s onboarding is difficult because he loves practicing (“You get to try (stuff) and learn from it”) and because he’s used to getting more reps, “but it’s part of the plan and I’m sticking to it.”

Last season’s rookie plan obviously changed abruptly on Labor Day Weekend on a seemingly simple shopping trip in San Francisco. After 11 catches in his first three games, he had only two receptions the next five, but he had the right perspective that his on-field targets were a minuscule problem to other people’s bigger issues in life.

“I just had a similar mindset: I’m on the scratch, I get to wear this logo, I get to breathe, rather than, ‘The ball is not coming my way,’ ” Pearsall said.

LENOIR, JENNINGS UPDATES

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is missing this week’s practices because of a hip issue that’s been bothering him most of camp, Shanahan said. Lenoir might return as early as next week. With Renardo Green (hamstring) also sidelined, the 49ers’ first-string cornerbacks Thursday were Dallis Flowers and Darrell Luter Jr.

Shanahan said there is no timetable on wide receiver Jauan Jennings’ return after June’s calf injury flared up to keep him out since Sunday’s session. Rookie running back Jordan James (knee) is being evaluated.

BARTCH JOINS COMPETITION

Ben Bartch took the majority of first-team reps at left guard in his first practice off the Non-Football Injury List. Bartch filled that role in the spring but opened camp with a quadriceps injury from doing squats in the weight room. Nick Zakelj was the starting left guard through the previous six practices, and he lined up there for one of the final team sessions Thursday. “We’re excited to watch those two go at it,” Shanahan said.

BROWN’S YEAR 3 

Ji’Ayir Brown, after battling injuries and growing pains last year, has a new tactic for his Year 3 approach. “This year I’m focused more on offenses and learning what I’m getting out of different sets,” Brown said. “I’ve spent time in the quarterbacks and receivers’ rooms to learn how they’re trying to attack us. I don’t ask too many questions. I do a lot of listening to Kyle speak, to Brock’s rebuttal, how they talk and how they try to manipulate Cover-3 and Cover-4.”

Brown is also embracing the arrival of potential starting partner Jason Pinnock as well as those of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and assistant head coach Gus Bradley. Brown’s sophomore slump last year involved an ankle injury that required surgery this offseason. He also had to overcome nerve issues early in the 2024 offseason because of a hit he had against Travis Kelce late in the Super Bowl, having intercepted Patrick Mahomes just out of halftime.

MYKEL WILLIAMS’ HUSTLE

Mykel Williams, the 49ers’ first-round pick, burst out of the pre-practice team huddle and sprinted 100 yards to lead his fellow defensive linemen to their new warmup spot. His hustle is not all that’s impressed a week into his first camp.

Shanahan said Williams’ hands impressed the 49ers’ on the pre-draft video review and that’s transferred over to these practices. Williams missed last practice with a minor ankle issue.Related Articles Nothing but good vibrations at 49ers training camp, in contrast to 2024 How Bryce Huff and 49ers’ other veteran newcomers are faring 1 week into camp 49ers camp: Brock Purdy overcomes getting rolled up in backfield 49ers safety Jason Pinnock finds familiarity on the opposite coast 49ers rookie ‘fire hydrant’ C.J. West douses linemen with his violent hands

TRANSACTIONS

Wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown got released amid a slew of Thursday’s transactions. The 49ers signed wide receivers Marquez Callaway and Andy Isabella, running back/returner Ameer Abdulla, and quarterback Carter Bradley, Gus’ son who impressed in Wednesday’s auditions and will compete with Tanner Mordecai for the No. 3 role. The 49ers waived offensive lineman Sebastian Gutierrez, wide receiver Malik Knowles and safety Jaylen Mahoney.

Both Abdullah and Isabella are 2015 second-round draft picks who auditioned Wednesday with five others, including former 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr.

VETERANS REST

Running back Christian McCaffrey, left tackle Trent Williams, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk rested after doing individual conditioning, and defensive end Nick Bosa also appeared to have a rest day.

PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS

Purdy completed a long pass to Demarcus Robinson that sailed about 50 yards down the left sideline against Luter. “Brock, when he gets the look and it’s there, he rarely misses it. I’ve been happy with him,” Shanahan said. … Linebacker Nick Martin forced Junior Bergen to fumble a reception. … Linebackers Dee Winters and Chazz Zurratt delivered the day’s hardest hits. … Kickers Jake Moody and Greg Joseph each went 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts, their longest coming from 54 yards. … Defensive tackle C.J. West appeared to injure his lower right leg on a run stop but returned to practice.

ICE says it has made tentative job offers to more than 1,000 as hiring ramps up

By REBECCA SANTANA, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The agency responsible for carrying out President Donald Trump’s mass deportations agenda says it has already made tentative job offers to more than 1,000 people as it ramps up hiring following the passage of legislation earlier this month giving the agency a massive infusion of cash.

The agency’s spokeswoman, Tricia McLaughlin, said in a statement Thursday that the offers had been made after July 4. That’s when Trump signed into law a broad package of tax breaks and spending cuts that also included about $170 billion for border security and immigration enforcement, spread out over five years.

“ICE has already issued over 1,000 tentative job offers since July 4. Many of these offers were to ICE officers who retired under President Biden because they were frustrated that they were not allowed to do their jobs,” she said. “Now under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is excited to get back to work to remove rapists, murderers, gang members and pedophiles from our communities.”

Related Articles Dozens of countries with no deals face higher tariffs as trade deadline nears White House announces new $200M ballroom as part of Trump’s latest makeover of ‘The People’s House’ Trump ally Jeffrey Clark should be disbarred over 2020 election effort, DC panel says Pentagon pulls back more National Guard troops and leaves behind 250 in Los Angeles Federal judges detail rise in threats, ‘pizza doxings,’ as Trump ramps up criticism The budget is multiplying exponentially

ICE is the key agency responsible for executing Trump’s campaign promise of carrying out the largest deportation operation in history. The administration has been ramping up immigration-related arrests across the country. Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff and main architect of Trump’s immigration policies, has said ICE officers would have a target of at least 3,000 arrests a day, up from about 650 a day during the first five months of Trump’s second term.

That heightened enforcement has played out with arrests in immigration courts, worksites, neighborhoods and more.

ICE is set to get $76.5 billion, nearly 10 times its current annual budget. Some $45 billion will go toward increasing detention capacity. Nearly $30 billion is for hiring 10,000 more staff so the agency can meet its goal of 1 million annual deportations. The White House has said ICE will grow from 20,000 employees to about 30,000.

Earlier this week, ICE announced a recruiting campaign aimed at finding and hiring the deportation officers, investigators and lawyers it will need to meet that goal of 10,000 new staff. As part of that campaign the agency is offering an eye-catching bonus of up to $50,000 for new recruits as well as other benefits like student loan forgiveness and abundant overtime for deportation officers.

At a time when the federal government has been firing federal employees left and right, the USAJOBS website where vacancies for federal jobs are posted has dozens of Immigration and Customs Enforcement jobs.

Some are for the deportation officers responsible for finding and removing people from the country; investigators with Homeland Security Investigations, which helps investigate transnational crime, including immigration issues; and lawyers who represent the government in prosecuting immigration cases.

Jobs to support the detention network are also in play

But there are also other jobs that support the detention network that is being supercharged to carry out mass deportations: nurses and nurse managers, psychiatric care providers, auditors, field medical coordinators and more.

The anticipated hiring boom has also raised concerns about whether standards will be lowered in order to meet the growing demand. The Border Patrol underwent its own expansion during the early 2000s — something that is often cited as a cautionary tale for the risks of quick hiring. To meet hiring goals, training and hiring standards were changed. Arrests for employee misconduct rose.

McLaughlin rejected suggestions that the agency would lower recruitment standards.

“All new recruits must meet the same standards they always have. I know this may be shocking to the media, but many Americans want to serve their country and help remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our country,” she said.

Horoscopes July 31, 2025: B.J. Novak, your happiness is your responsibility

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Rico Rodriguez, 27; B.J. Novak, 46; Zac Brown, 47; Annie Parisse, 50.

Happy Birthday: Spend more time fixing what you don’t like and less time arguing with those who will never change. Assess your situation and choose the path that leads to personal contentment. Your happiness is your responsibility, and without taking the initiative, you will remain in a stalemate that leaves you at a loss. Consider your attributes and value who you are and what you can do, and everything else will fall into place. Your numbers are 8, 14, 23, 26, 35, 39, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take more time for yourself, your meaningful relationships and the pastimes that ease stress for you. Refuse to let uncertainty weigh you down or let someone’s anger, upset or drama ruin your day. Remove yourself from unsavory situations and rely on your resources to help fill any void you encounter. Follow your heart. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Tidy up loose ends and take refuge in doing something that you enjoy. Refuse to let emotional misunderstandings develop when truth and transparency can eliminate such problems. Take care of your responsibilities, and you’ll face no regrets or interference. Personal improvements and taking care of your emotional and physical well-being are favored. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain if you embrace change with a smile, a positive attitude and the willingness to put in the effort to reach your goal. Both at home and work, you will discover a rite of passage if you are helpful, resourceful and willing to do the job yourself. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll have to draw the line, set boundaries and be clear regarding what you are willing to do. You’ll face accusations if you don’t do everything by the book. Avoid taking risks that can lead to illness or injury. Keep situations and demands under control. Know when to say no, and move on. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Adjust your space to meet your needs, and develop and define how you want your future to unfold. Your input will inspire you to retrace the steps that lead to what motivates you. Get back to basics, adopt a smart lifestyle and engage in pastimes and activities that bring you joy. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take a long, hard look at yourself and consider what will help build confidence, strengthen what you have to offer and position you for something you long for. A change of attitude will come if you feel good about how you look and what you can contribute. Develop a plan and implement positive change. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Words matter; offer positive thoughts and present a reasonable alternative, and you will gain respect as well as insight into those you are dealing with. Be quick to walk away from temptation or anyone trying to lead you astray. Offer hope, but protect yourself from being held responsible for someone else’s mistakes. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pay attention to detail, especially when it involves your appearance, expenditures and using your energy to maximize the return on your effort. Refrain from traveling to destinations that may pose problems due to weather or other disasters. Take precautions regarding partnerships. Trying to buy love or loyalty will lead to consequences. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Direct your energy according to your needs. Refuse to let an outsider deplete you of the resources you require to take care of your responsibilities. Use your intelligence and offer suggestions, but refrain from providing hands-on help. Your time and effort should focus on self-sufficiency and personal care. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Expect to face restrictions that affect your relationships or your ability to apply your skills properly. If you are reckless or take on responsibilities or projects for which you are underqualified, you may cause physical injury or poor results. Utilize your intelligence and farm out tasks that are beyond your capabilities, thereby sparing yourself regret. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Mixed emotions will surface. Envision the outcome before you begin. Your time, effort and results will exceed your expectations if you look inward and strive to be the best you can be, both physically and emotionally. The outcome of your attempts to improve will lead to professional opportunities and compliments. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Spend more time or money on what helps ease stress. Make your surroundings comfortable and distance yourself from people or situations that belittle your confidence. Take the initiative to sign up for something that makes you feel good about yourself and connects you to people who share your likes, beliefs and ideal lifestyle. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are playful, entertaining and aggressive. You are innovative and resourceful.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.
2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.
3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.
4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.
5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

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