Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 7

Recipe: Harvest bowls to celebrate the bold flavors of fall

These Garam Masala Fall Harvest Bowls celebrate the bold flavors and seasonal abundance of fall. Roasted cauliflower, creamy Japanese eggplant, and hearty chickpeas form the base of this nourishing dish, all warmly spiced with garam masala and caramelized to perfection in a hot oven. A simple lemony yogurt sauce adds brightness and tang, while a handful of juicy pomegranate seeds brings bursts of sweetness and color to every bite. Served over fluffy basmati rice, this bowl is as comforting as it is vibrant—a one-pan meal ideal for cozy weeknights or laid-back dinner parties.

Feel free to swap in other seasonal vegetables such as sweet potato or butternut squash, or serve with naan or quinoa for a twist. Either way, this dish is sure to become a cold-weather favorite.

Garam Masala Fall Harvest Bowls

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 large head cauliflower, chopped into florets

1 large onion (any color), sliced

2 Japanese eggplants, sliced ¾-inch thick

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon garam masala

1½ teaspoons salt, divided

1 cup plain yogurt

Juice of ½ lemon

Seeds from 1 pomegranate

4 cups cooked basmati rice

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 475°F. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the cauliflower, onion, eggplant and chickpeas with the olive oil, garam masala and 1 teaspoon of salt. Spread in an even layer. Roast for 20–30 minutes, flipping the vegetables halfway through, until golden brown and tender.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice and remaining ½ teaspoon salt until smooth and creamy.

To serve, divide the rice into bowls and spoon the roasted vegetables over the top. Drizzle with the lemony yogurt sauce and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds. Serve warm.

Registered dietitian and food writer Laura McLively is the author of “The Berkeley Bowl Cookbook.” Follow her at @myberkeleybowl and www.lauramclively.com.

Horoscopes Oct. 15, 2025: Dominic West, choose peace

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Dominic West, 56; Vanessa Marcil, 57; Emeril Lagasse, 66; Sarah Ferguson, 66.

Happy Birthday: Tame your emotions this year to avoid drama. Refuse to let the little things get to you, and learn to let go of negative situations, people or things that are holding you back. Expand your awareness, clear your vision and recognize what’s best for you. Put your energy where it counts, and focus on health, relationships and what matters most to you. Choose peace and love over chaos and discord. Your numbers are 3, 10, 22, 27, 33, 41, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Put more thought and time into bringing more revenue your way. Consider your skills, experience and how you can diversify to broaden your marketability. It’s up to you to make opportunities happen, so stop waiting for something new and exciting to come into your sphere. Become the creator of your destiny. Promote what makes you feel passionate. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Be careful not to let your emotions turn into stubbornness. Once you shut yourself off from reality and subscribe to anger and upset, you stand to lose. If you want to come out on top, you must find common ground and make sense out of what’s possible and what isn’t. Choose compassion and compromise. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Explore new activities, events and looks that keep you in the know and up to date. How you present yourself and your ideas will determine who you attract into your circle. Turn challenges into a passion for learning and expanding your mind. Change begins with you and your ability to see the possibilities. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t hold back because someone doesn’t want to participate with you. Venture out and explore what life offers and how you can utilize the connections you make to get ahead in this dog-eat-dog world. It’s your turn to shine, so don’t regress when progress is the answer and the reward. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Interact carefully with family, friends and associates. Pay attention, be intuitive and consider what others are going through before dominating the conversation or imposing your will. You’ll gain the most if you show compassion and offer suggestions and resources. Choose to charm your way into situations instead of pushing others to see things from your perspective. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Look at change from all sides. You may not like everything going on around you, but if you integrate what you can use into your daily routine or plans, you will discover how to make ends meet and reach your goals. Never say never, and you’ll be surprised by what you accomplish. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Observe, digest and go about your business. Reacting to something you cannot change is a waste of time, but building a solid and welcoming environment for you and those you love will fill your heart with joy. Practicality is the answer, not greed. Your power is in your kindness, consideration and simple needs. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Say no to negativity and letting bias interfere with doing what’s right. Step back, rethink your actions and reassess how you want to proceed. Choose intelligence and common sense over ego, and you’ll gain insight into how you can turn situations in your favor. Stop wasting time on revenge; walk away or make amends. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Tune in to what motivates your mind and stimulates your emotions. Take refuge in transforming your surroundings into your happy place and enjoying time in environments that make you feel alive. Turn your thoughts into actions, and be a forerunner for friends and family who have lost focus or need someone positive to set a good example. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Money and emotions will get you in trouble. Refresh your memory on the importance of maintaining peace of mind and having sufficient financial reserves, and buckle up for a smooth ride forward. Discipline is your strong point, so make it work for you, and find more affordable ways to satisfy your soul. Protect your assets. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A change of scenery will help your sanity. It’s time to rejuvenate and consider your options. Follow your heart and incorporate what makes you happy into your daily routine. Allow time for rest, relaxation and the ones you love. Clear a space to pursue your passion, and you’ll gain momentum, energy and a sense of peace. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Divide time between work, play and relaxation, and see how much you thrive. Balance is the key to happiness, tranquility and motivation, making life purposeful. Don’t buy into someone else’s dream when your job is to fulfill your own; allow loved ones to do likewise, and it will encourage you to become the best version of yourself. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are creative, principled and optimistic. You are acclimating and thoughtful.

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.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

Warriors coach Kerr explains why he actually “liked” Kuminga ejection

Steve Kerr and Jonathan Kuminga have – rather publicly – not seen eye to eye on many things the fifth-year forward does on a basketball court. 

But when the Warriors forward was ejected from the team’s fourth preseason game, tossed after arguing a no-call on a drive with 0.9 showing on the clock, the coach did not blast his player. 

He actually appreciated the intensity Kuminga showed when he got right in the official’s face to argue his case in Portland on Tuesday.  

“He got fouled, and it was frustration play, and I have no problem with it, because he deserved the foul and he was getting fouled quite a bit,” Kerr told media after the game, later adding, “I love the way he played, I love the fire, the passion. I don’t mind the ejection at all. I kind of liked it, actually. I thought JK was terrific.”

The Warriors defeated the Blazers 118-111. 

Kerr raved about Kuminga’s continued effort to showcase an all-around game. Aside from seven points, he also had four assists while playing the Draymond Green role out of the post and on the wing. 

His activity on the glass was also much improved from Sunday’s game against the Lakers, when Kuminga grabbed zero rebounds. 

“The way he ran on that play, the activity he played with, and he had six boards in one half in 17 minutes, that’s the JK who can really help our team,” Kerr said.  

Kuminga recently signed a two-year, $46.5 million contract after a dramatic summer-long negotiation with the front office. During his introductory press conference, he pledged to focus on more than just scoring, something he has done thus far. 

He has dished out 16 assists in four games, and has, aside from the goose egg in Los Angeles, grabbed at least five rebounds in each of the other three games. 

Instant Warriors analysis: Steph Curry in midseason form vs. Trail Blazers

It might not be the most spry combination in the game, but few two-man games possess the kind of elite shooting that an Al Horford to Steph Curry dribble-handoff does. 

That duo was back in action on Tuesday night as the Warriors took on the Trail Blazers at the Moda Center in Portland in a 118-111 Golden State victory. And when Curry played a two-man game with Horford, the Blazers had no answers for the two-time MVP.

Well, except for fouling on plays that, a year ago, may have gone uncalled. 

Thanks to the new ‘Hi-Five’ rule, which penalizes defenders for swiping at hands following through, and re-emphasizes contact to shooters’ legs, Curry shot nine free throws in the first half, all makes, and ended up with 13 attempts from the foul line overall. 

“On nights like tonight, he leads, and we follow him,” Gary Payton II told media.

Most of those plays were set up by Horford, who ended up with eight points, four rebounds and a couple blocks while setting killer screens. Curry finished the night with 28 points in 27 minutes, and rookie Will Richard scored 13 after earning the start. 

The Warriors did struggle to defend Portland inside, and the Blazers scored 58 points in the paint. But the Warriors’ hot shooting to end the first half – eight makes from behind the arc – helped them fight back from an 18-point first-half deficit.

“I’m proud of the way the guys played, and I felt like we got our feet underneath us in the last few minutes of the first half,” coach Steve Kerr told media. .

The Blazers led the Warriors just 61-56 at halftime, and with a Buddy Hield 3-pointer, the Warriors took a 74-73 lead with 4:30 left as part of a 13-0 Curry-led run. 

Shaedon Sharpe torched the Warriors for the second time this preseason. He scored 16 points, his most impressive basket being a one-on-one drive against Horford in the second quarter. It was a surprisingly physical preseason game, with Jonathan Kuminga tossed from the game right before halftime after arguing that he had been fouled. 

Golden State (3-1) will finish its preseason at Chase Center against the Clippers on Friday, and then the regular season begins on the 21st. 

Kuminga ejected

Jonathan Kuminga was enjoying another strong night before being ejected late in the first half. 

The 23-year-old drove into the paint and threw up a shot through contact from three defenders. When no call was made, the forward got into the referee’s face and was promptly tossed from the game. 

Kuminga finished with seven points, six rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes. 

Draymond Green sat out Tuesday’s game for rest purposes, as he played 22 minutes in Los Angeles on Sunday. Kuminga got the start at power forward, and thus played a modified version of the Green role. 

What was that role? Well, it involves a lot of possessions in the low post. While the 23-year-old did look for cutters, including on a nice dime to Will Richard early in the first quarter and another dime to Quinten Post, he also looked to make his impact as a scorer until his ejection.

Big man rotation

Al Horford was the starter at center, but there was some question as to which of the two 25-year-old backups would get priority in a matchup against a Blazers team with multiple big bodies in the middle. 

Quinten Post and his newfangled floater was the first to check in, Kerr opting to go with the 7-footer who can shoot. Trayce Jackson-Davis, who had over 100 dunks last season and is more a traditional rim-runner, did not enter until the start of the second half. 

Post finished with 15 points and made a trio of 3-pointers, while Jackson-Davis pulled down 10 rebounds.

What’s up with Jimmy Butler, Seth Curry

Jimmy Butler sat out for the third consecutive preseason game, ruled out with an ankle injury that has been bothering him since training camp.

“We’re hopeful he’ll go on Friday,” coach Steve Kerr told media before the game. “He got an MRI, and he’s clean. He stayed in the Bay, and he’s day to day. We’re not concerned.”

Moses Moody was held out with a calf injury. Another perimeter player, Seth Curry, was also unavailable. Steph’s younger brother has yet to make his preseason debut with the team. Seth Curry joined the roster on the second day of training camp.

”He’s ramping up, continuing to ramp up by playing pickup games and 3-on-3 after practice,” Kerr said. “Because he got here late and the nature of everything, I’m trying to see other people. I’m not worried about it, and Seth isn’t worried about it.”

Stotts, Payton return to Oregon

The preseason game in Oregon was a homecoming for a couple members of the Warriors organization. 

Assistant coach Terry Stotts returned the the town where he won 402 games, the second-most in Blazers history. He was seen chatting with Blazers guard Damian Lillard, who was the leader of a 2019 Blazers team that saw Stotts coach Portland to the conference finals. 

Gary Payton II, who scored 11 and hit a buzzer-beating 3-point bank shot to end the third quarter, returned to the state where he went to college. Payton was an All-Pac-12 selection and two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year during his time at Oregon State in 2015 and 2016. 

Meta removes ICE-tracking Facebook page in Chicago at the request of the Justice Department

Meta has removed a Facebook page used to track the presence of immigration agents at the request of the Department of Justice, the company confirmed on Tuesday.

Related Articles Florida judge temporarily blocks transfer of downtown Miami land for Trump’s presidential library US revokes visas for 6 foreigners over Charlie Kirk-related speech Trump threatens to yank World Cup games from Boston though it’s up to FIFA to choose sites House Republicans seek testimony from ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith Trump honoring Charlie Kirk with Presidential Medal of Freedom on what would be his 32nd birthday

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that “following outreach” from the DOJ, Facebook removed a “large group page” that was being used to target ICE officials.

Meta said in a statement that the group “was removed for violating our policies against coordinated harm.”

Meta is the latest tech company to restrict tools used to track ICE agents on its platform. Earlier this month, Apple and Google blocked downloads of phone apps that flag sightings of U.S. immigration agents, just hours after the Trump administration demanded that one particularly popular iPhone app be taken down.

Government officials detain a protester in Chicago, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)A government official throws a tear gas canister towards protesters in Chicago, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)Show Caption1 of 2Government officials detain a protester in Chicago, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)Expand

Bondi has said that such tracking puts Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at risk. But users and developers of the apps say it’s their First Amendment right to capture what ICE is doing in their neighborhoods — and maintain that most users turn to these platforms in an effort to protect their own safety as President Donald Trump steps up aggressive immigration enforcement across the country.

While a Facebook group for ICE sightings in Chicago does appear to have been taken down, as of Tuesday evening, dozens of other groups, some with thousands of members, remained visible on Facebook.

Florida judge temporarily blocks transfer of downtown Miami land for Trump’s presidential library

By KATE PAYNE

A Florida judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the planned transfer of prime downtown Miami land for Donald Trump’s future presidential library.

Related Articles Meta removes ICE-tracking Facebook page in Chicago at the request of the Justice Department US revokes visas for 6 foreigners over Charlie Kirk-related speech Trump threatens to yank World Cup games from Boston though it’s up to FIFA to choose sites House Republicans seek testimony from ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith Trump honoring Charlie Kirk with Presidential Medal of Freedom on what would be his 32nd birthday

The move by Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz came after a Miami activist alleged that officials at a local college violated Florida’s open government law when they gifted the sizable plot of real estate to the state, which then voted to transfer it to the foundation for the planned presidential library.

The nearly 3-acre property is valued at more than $67 million, according to a 2025 assessment by the Miami-Dade County property appraiser. One of the last undeveloped lots on an iconic stretch of palm tree-lined Biscayne Boulevard, one real estate expert wagered that the parcel could sell for hundreds of millions of dollars more.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is proposing that President Donald Trump’s presidential library be built in a parking lot that is currently used by Miami-Dade College staff and faculty and is adjacent to the Freedom Tower, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Marvin Dunn, an activist and chronicler of local Black history, filed a lawsuit this month in a Miami-Dade County court against the Board of Trustees for Miami Dade College, a state-run school that owned the property. He alleges that the board violated Florida’s Government in the Sunshine law by not providing sufficient notice for its special meeting on Sept. 23, when it voted to give up the land, and he’s seeking to block the land transfer.

Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

How Mike Shildt’s retirement impacts SF Giants’ managerial search

The Giants are no longer the only contender in the N.L. West looking for a new manager, and Nick Hundley may now have another option to consider.

Padres manager Mike Shildt announced his retirement on Monday morning, meaning there are now eight teams — the Giants, Padres, Angels, Braves, Orioles, Nationals, Rockies and Twins — looking for their next manager. The Rangers had been on that list when Bruce Bochy announced he would not return to manage, but Texas quickly filled that vacancy by hiring Skip Schumaker, one of the most sought-after managerial candidates.

Shildt’s unexpected retirement gives Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey additional incentive to secure his next manager as quickly as possible.

Posey told reporters after firing former manager Bob Melvin on Sept. 29 that he didn’t have a definitive timetable to hire a new manager, saying “it’s going to happen naturally whenever we have some time to sit down and talk with people.”

Posey doesn’t want to rush his first managerial hire, but A.J. Preller and the Padres’ brass will likely have their own interest in Hundley, among others.

San Francisco Giants’ Nick Hundley (5) congratulates San Francisco Giants’ Madison Bumgarner (40) on his walk-off single which scored San Francisco Giants’ Gorkys Hernandez (7) against the San Diego Padres to win the game 5-4 in the 12th inning at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Diego is arguably the most appealing available job. The Padres have made the playoffs in four of the last six seasons and feature an incredibly talented nucleus headlined by Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill. Preller is also no stranger to blockbuster trades, perpetually willing to sacrifice his farm system to acquire win-now pieces.

“I think it’s a really attractive job,” Preller told reporters on Tuesday. “You’ve got 3 1/2 million fans coming to the ballpark, year in and year out. It’s as good an atmosphere as there is in the game. It’s a great organization. We produce players, we put talented rosters on the field. We go to the playoffs. I think it’s the challenge of winning a World Series in a city that hasn’t done it before.”

Hundley, who’s currently a special assistant to Rangers general manager Chris Young, has strong ties to the Padres. San Diego selected the former catcher in the second round of the 2005 MLB draft, and Hundley played 510 career major-league games with the Padres over seven seasons. Hundley also lives in San Diego with his wife and two children.

Preller and Hundley missed overlapping in San Diego by just a couple months. The Padres traded Hundley to the Baltimore Orioles on May 24, 2014, then hired Preller to be their general manager on August 6, 2014.

Hundley, 42, is not without his connection to San Francisco, spending the ’17 and ’18 seasons as Posey’s backup. He was named the 2017 Willie Mac Award winner during his first season with the team, and was in attendance at Oracle Park last month when Willy Adames was named the . Hundley declined an opportunity to interview for the Giants’ managerial job in 2023 due to family reasons. The Giants ultimately hired Melvin to replace Gabe Kapler.

Along with Hundley, the list of candidates who have reportedly interviewed for the position include long-time catcher Kurt Suzuki and Santa Rosa native Brandon Hyde. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt’s name has circulated in recent days, but Vogt is under contract with Cleveland for next season and will likely sign a contract extension.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, pictured Saturday, said he was “pretty disappointed” in comments made by Boston Red Sox skipper Alex Cora on Monday night questioning Baltimore’s success at the plate, calling them “disrespectful to our hitters.” (Terrance Williams, AP)

Hundley and Suzuki have never managed in the majors, but Posey laid out for reporters earlier this month what he truly values in a candidate.

“For me, age is somewhat irrelevant. The experience part, you can have different takes on that,” Posey said. “I’d say what I want … is somebody that’s going to be obsessive about the details, obsessive about work, obsessive about getting the most out of our players, getting the most out of our staff. Somebody that will inspire confidence in our players on the field and also all the interactions that happen off the field as well.”

Related Articles Padres boss Shildt retires, opening another NL West managerial job SF Giants’ managerial search: Who has been linked to the job so far? Could SF Giants re-sign free agents Verlander, Flores, Smith? Kurtenbach: Buster Posey must prove himself this SF Giants offseason Posey says he’s not considering Bochy for SF Giants’ next manager

Posey has kept his list of candidates close to his chest but told reporters during the Giants’ end-of-season press conference that Bochy would not be considered. Given San Francisco’s recent lack of managerial stability — the team’s new manager will be its third in four years — Posey will likely prioritize candidates who will hold down the job for the foreseeable future.

“I most definitely value stability,” Posey said. “I think stability and success are correlated. A lot of times, we’re in the business of production. If production doesn’t happen, I think you’re going to see more turnover. We both know that as well that it’s our responsibility to create stability through winning and putting hopefully what’s an entertaining product out there on the field that our fans are excited about.”

—  Kai Correa, Kapler’s bench coach from 2020-23 and the Giants’ interim manager for the final three games in 2023, is on the move again, reportedly taking over as bench coach with the New York Mets.

Correa had spent the past two season on Vogt’s staff in Cleveland as the major league field coordinator/director of defense, baserunning and strategy.

Monterey council directs NCIP to list projects to freeze to help deficit

MONTEREY – The Monterey City Council voted 4-1 directing the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee to come up with a list of projects that could total $3-4 million that could potentially be frozen. Councilwoman Jean Rasch was the minority vote.

The council held a joint meeting Tuesday with the NCIP to discuss the option of using funding from the program to fill the city’s $10 million deficit in the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget.

Assistant City Manager Nat Rojanasathira said taking from NCIP funding was the “lesser of multiple evils.” According to city staff the other options would include reducing expenditures, which includes cutting back on staffing and the other is to pull from the economic uncertainty fund or reserves, which staff also recommended against because it was a last resort fund and could impact the city’s credit rating.

Members of the NCIP committee suggested the council decide on the exact number they wanted from NCIP and to let the committee come back with which projects should be frozen.

However, the majority of the council was against asking NCIP to cut back on a lot of projects. Councilman Ed Smith suggested $1-2 million, Councilwoman Kim Barber said $3 million, Rasch said $1 million, Councilman Gino Garcia said $3.5 million and Mayor Tyller Williamson was the lone vote in asking for $8-10 million.

The council did an exercise in September, listing out their ideas and priorities for how the city could find the $10 million in other expenditures, services and departments. A final tally for how much they could save will be discussed in the regular meeting Oct. 21.

Williamson said his thinking was starting with a baseline for what can be cut from NCIP, then subtract from that number after the council finds assured money in their exercise. The rest of the council did not agree, and ultimately council members tried to compromise on about $4 million.

Kurtenbach: The 49ers’ run game was once the envy of the NFL. It’s been grounded

The San Francisco 49ers, vanguards of the outside zone run game, cannot run the ball.

Not outside zone, not inside zone, and not even the basic gap-scheme runs they tried this past week.

What in the name of Gary Kubiak is going on here?

Because if this season — which looked so promising only a few days ago — is to amount to anything of worth for San Francisco, that has to change.

Don’t get me wrong, the Niners are trying to run the ball. It’s just not going anywhere.

Through six games, the 49ers are last in the NFL in yards per rush at 3.1 per carry. Christian McCaffrey hasn’t come close to rushing for 100 yards in a game this season, despite toting the rock 108 times. In fact, he hasn’t even hit 70 yards in a game yet. (And the closest he came was in Week 1 against Seattle.)

It’s not all CMC’s fault. In fact, he might carry the least of the blame for the Niners’ run-game struggles.

He is running behind an offensive line that is being manhandled on the interior week-in, week-out, as Connor Colby and Dominic Puni’s injuries leave the guards on bad footing play after play, with undersized and struggling center Jake Brendel attempting to clean up the mess.

Pair that huge problem with eligible receivers who simply have not blocked this season — either because they’re fifth-stringers (Kendrick Bourne, Jake Tonges) or because they lost whatever steps they once had (Kyle Jusczcek, Luke Farrell) and you have a run game that cannot win at the point of attack and certainly cann’t sequence together enough blocks to free up a running back who might have lost a step from his prime, himself.

Yes, McCaffrey carries some blame here: He is last in the NFL in rushing yards over expectation, after all, at minus-105, twice as bad as the next-worst runner in that category. CMC also has the worst rushing Expected Points Added number this season.

The longer that trend continues, the more questions that will have to be asked. It could prove to be terribly reminiscent of the end of Deebo Samuel’s tenure with the Niners.

But we’re not at that point yet.

So, what’s the solution for the here and now?

Well, you’ve stumped me.

But that’s easy to do.

The real issue is that this issue has seemingly stumped Kyle Shanahan — son of Mike, scion of the scheme — too.

Every week, he’s asked about what it will take to get the running game going. Every week, it’s the same spiel: two-high safeties make it hard to break a big one (how about a medium one to start?), and wide fronts make it harder to run the ball if everyone isn’t in sync.

I get that no coach is going to throw his players to the hyenas in the media, but two-high safeties, really? That’s why McCaffrey is no longer taking the time to read his blocks and instead just barreling forward because a two-yard gain is better than the likely four-yard loss?

I’ll agree that the Niners have faced some tough defenses against the run (Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Arizona, Seattle) this season. Still, they’ve played middling operations in Jacksonville (3.5 yards per rush in that game) and the Rams (2.2).

There’s no obvious answer here, so I guess the Niners should keep doing what they’ve been doing — battering McCaffrey into the back of his lineman’s legs (or, worse yet, a linebacker’s arms), hoping that the next play is the one where it clicks for this run game.

Maybe the power of positive thinking will work.

And who knows, maybe George Kittle, the best tight end in the game, was truly the key to the run game all along — McCaffrey did look great when Kittle played in Seattle in Week 1.

Perhaps the Niners can swap in a backup for Puni or Colby, as both are only going to deteriorate further the more they play. (Puni is doing snow angels on too many plays to count, and his critical false-start against the Bucs is a clear byproduct of an offensive lineman who knows he needs to cheat to win.)

Or maybe they just need the right matchup. Atlanta and Houston, the next two weeks’ opponents, look pretty juicy.

Related Articles Ex-49ers kicker Jake Moody’s last-second field goal lifts Bears over Commanders 25-24 49ers zero in on the future after latest gut punch with loss of Fred Warner 49ers’ Fred Warner already looking to “legendary” return from season-ending ankle injury Inman: 10 things that caught my eye in 49ers’ loss besides missing-man formation on Warner play 49ers report card: Pass-game miscues add to the misery after Warner injury

But it does not matter what means justify the ends — the ends have to change in this new, strange place San Francisco inhabits in the NFL landscape. The Niners are still minus-290 (that’s bet $290 to win $100) to make the playoffs, and they’re even favored to win against Atlanta on this upcoming Sunday, but they’re also a one-dimensional team, and those don’t get very far in this league.

We know the second dimension of this team won’t come from the defensive side, so it’s on a Shanahan team to start running the ball, or this season will go bust.

What a weird thing to type.

US revokes visas for 6 foreigners over Charlie Kirk-related speech

By MATTHEW LEE

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has revoked the visas of six foreigners deemed by U.S. officials to have made derisive comments or made light of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last month.

Related Articles Meta removes ICE-tracking Facebook page in Chicago at the request of the Justice Department Florida judge temporarily blocks transfer of downtown Miami land for Trump’s presidential library Trump threatens to yank World Cup games from Boston though it’s up to FIFA to choose sites House Republicans seek testimony from ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith Trump honoring Charlie Kirk with Presidential Medal of Freedom on what would be his 32nd birthday

The State Department said Tuesday it had determined they should lose their visas after reviewing their online social media posts and clips about Kirk, who was killed while speaking at a Utah college campus on Sept. 10.

The announcement came as President Donald Trump was posthumously awarding him America’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. At Kirk’s funeral in September, Trump called him a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom.

The administration and its supporters have targeted people for their comments about Kirk, leading to firings or other discipline of journalists, teachers and others, and raising free speech concerns.

The six foreigners who had their visas revoked were from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay and South Africa. They were not identified.

Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio “will defend our borders, our culture, and our citizens by enforcing our immigration laws,” the State Department said. “Aliens who take advantage of America’s hospitality while celebrating the assassination of our citizens will be removed.”

Vice President JD Vance and other top U.S. officials have encouraged people to call out criticism about Kirk that they see online. In an unusual tweet last month, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau asked social media users to copy him on any relevant posts, saying he was personally “disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action.”

In addition to Tuesday’s action, the administration has ramped up efforts to identify and potentially expel thousands of foreigners in the United States, notably students, who it says have either fomented or participated in unrest or publicly supported protests against Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The administration has also denied visas to applicants whose social media histories have been critical of its policies.

Among the higher-profile cases, the administration has expelled South Africa’s ambassador to the United States for comments critical of Trump, revoked a visa for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the U.N. General Assembly and yanked the visas for British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan. It said it is reviewing the status of the more than 55 million current U.S. visa holders for potential violations of its standards.

Those actions have been criticized by civil rights groups as violations of constitutional protections for freedom of speech, which apply to anyone in the United States and not just to American citizens.