Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 74

NBA Summer League takeaways: Warriors rookies suffocated by Raptors

The Warriors faced the Raptors at Las Vegas’ Cox Pavilion hoping to play the role of spoiler on Thursday night. 

Toronto needed to win to stay undefeated and in contention for one of four playoff spots. 

Yes, there were real, bona fide stakes involved in the matchup. And perhaps, a little bit of pressure for those on the Raptors roster to possibly play one more game in front of scouts. 

Neither team wowed offensively in a game the Raptors eventually won 81-69. 

The Warriors shot just 31.4% from the field and 4 of 15 from behind the arc in the first half, but led 37-36 at halftime thanks to the Raptors making just 28.2% of their shot attempts. 

The Raptors upped the defensive pressure in the second half, often picking up fullcourt, forcing 27 Warriors turnovers. the teams combined for 58 fouls. 

Chris Manon led the Warriors with 14 points and nine rebounds, while first-round pick Collin Murray-Boyles put in 20 points for the Raptors. 

Golden State will play a fifth and final Summer League game against the Cavaliers on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT.

Rookie update

Will Richard, a rookie out of Florida and the team’s most consistent performer in Summer League, started his fourth consecutive game in Las Vegas. 

The 6-foot-4 guard, as he has all summer, made hard cuts to the rim and took 3-pointers when open while also keeping the ball moving when he did not have an advantage. 

Like the rest of the team, he was occasionally overwhelmed by the Raptors athleticism at times, but still scored seven and had a team-high four assists. 

Meanwhile, Alex Toohey continued to show progress as a scorer. He did not hesitate on his 3-pointers, making 2 of 4. This included one make on a rookie-to-rookie kick-out pass from Richard late in the first half. 

Toohey scored eight and also contributed four offensive rebounds. 

Undrafted Vanderbilt product Manon played a third straight great offensive game.

The defensive-minded wing put in 14 points as hard-nosed driver, and of course he also found a way swat two blocks and grab two steals. 

Armstrong off the bench

Tasmanian point guard Taran Armstrong sat out Tuesday’s victory over the Grizzlies as coach Lainn Wilson shuffled the lineup. 

He brought the 6-foot-5 point guard off the bench against Toronto, and Armstrong immediately produced as the sixth man. 

He pushed the pace and mixed it up as a rebounder early, dishing out one assist and grabbing a couple of boards in the first quarter.

More importantly, he gave the Warriors a capable ball-handler who could get Golden State into their sets during his three-minute stint. 

Armstrong finished with eight points, five rebounds and two assists in 15 minutes. 

Lainn Wilson continues to tinker with rotation

Armstrong was not the only player to take on a new role on Thursday. Coleman Hawkins got the start at center, but the Sacramento native did not impress in 15 minutes. He had no points, grabbed just two rebounds and had three turnovers. Hawkins did force two steals though. 

After not playing on Tuesday, Isaiah Mobley came off the bench, while Jaden Shackelford started. Marques Bolden also came off the bench, and shotmaking guard LJ Cryer was unavailable. 

USF’s Mogbo faces Bay Area team

USF alum Jonathan Mogbo did not dress against the Warriors. 

Mogbo was a double-double machine at USF, averaging 14 points and 10.1 assists per game for the West Coast Conference program. After being the first pick in the second round of the 2024 draft, Mogbo established himself as a member of the Raptors rotation.

He averaged 6.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in just 20.4 minutes per game for Toronto. 

Mogbo scored 12 points and pulled down eight boards against the Jase Richardson-led Magic on Sunday, and had four points and grabbed five rebounds off the Summer League bench on Tuesday.

Searching for pennies: With the cut in federal funding public broadcasters are looking to cope

By MARK THIESSEN and DAVID BAUDER

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Lauren Adams, general manager for KUCB public radio in Unalaska, Alaska, didn’t have much time to reflect on Congress, 4,000 miles away, stripping federal funding for public media this week. She’s been too busy working.

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Sirens blared in the Aleutian Islands community Wednesday warning of a potential tsunami, with a voice over public loudspeakers urging the community’s 4,100 residents to seek higher ground immediately and tune into the radio — to Adams’ station.

At the same time in Washington, the Senate was voting on a measure that would eliminate nearly $1.1 billion that had already been appropriated for NPR and PBS — a process that didn’t end until early Thursday morning. The House is expected to complete the process in time for President Donald Trump to sign it before a Friday deadline.

Trump had called for the cuts, saying public media’s news programming was biased against him and fellow Republicans, and threatened GOP members of Congress with primary challenges if they didn’t fall in line.

Adams, her news director, a reporter and an intern kept broadcasting and updating KUCB’s social media feed until the danger passed. Then she made time for one more task — texting U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and urging her to vote against the bill. Murkowski was one of two Republican senators, along with Susan Collins of Maine, to publicly dissent.

“I thought that it was such a telling story of why her constituents have a different relationship to public radio than maybe some other regions of the United States,” Adams said.

Hard decisions ahead for stations across the country

The federal money is appropriated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes it to NPR and PBS. Roughly 70% of the money goes directly to the 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations across the country, although that’s only a shorthand way to describe its potential impact.

The cuts are expected to weigh most heavily on smaller public media outlets away from big cities, and it’s likely some won’t survive. Katherine Maher, NPR’s president and CEO, estimated as many as 80 NPR stations may face closure in the next year. Some stations are already fielding offers from commercial entities to buy their broadcast licenses, she said.

“Many of our stations which provide access to free unique local programming and emergency alerts will now be forced to make hard decisions in the weeks and months ahead,” said Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO. “There is nothing more American than PBS. Despite today’s setback, we are determined to keep fighting to preserve the essential services we provide to the American public.”

The measure will cost PBS and NPR stations in Mississippi roughly $2 million, about 15% of the budget, said Royal Aills, executive director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting.

Already, Mississippi Public Broadcasting has decided to eliminate a streaming channel that airs children’s programming like “Caillou” and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” to the state’s youngsters 24 hours a day, said Taiwo Gaynor, the system’s chief content officer.

“This is important for families, to have access to content that they don’t have to pay for,” Gaynor said. “That is a sad thought, to think that we … might not be able to provide that for a generation of children.”

Maine’s public media system is looking at a hit of $2.5 million, or about 12% of its budget, for the next fiscal year, said Rick Schneider, president and chief executive officer of Maine Public. He said he’s not ready to identify specific cuts, but the system is preparing to reinvent itself to make certain it continues serving the state’s residents.

Maine’s rural residents rely heavily on public media for weather updates and disaster alerts, said Molly Curren Rowles, executive director of ACLU of Maine. Rowles said public media was a “lifeline” to her growing up off the grid.

Bracing for trouble at stations that take pride in music discovery

NPR’s Maher fears what the cuts might mean for the system’s journalism, not just in rural areas where local news can be hard to come by, but in telling the rest of the country what is going on there. Less funding will also mean less support for popular television and radio programming, although it’s too soon to tell which programs will be affected.

NPR stations also use millions of dollars in federal money to pay music licensing fees. Now many will have to renegotiate these deals, which could mean less music, or a more limited variety of music, on outlets where music discovery is a big part of their identity. For example, Maher estimates that some 96% of all classical music broadcast in the United States is on NPR stations. “That is essentially taking an entire art form out of public access,” she said.

The affair transcends violins and piccolos. NPR received support Thursday from the heavy metal band Gwar, whose lead singer Blothar the Berserker posted a call on social media for fans to pay attention to what is going on with public media.

Already, public media is seeing an increase in donations from reader and viewers to support its mission, and stations are actively sounding the alarm. In a plea to listeners on its website Thursday, Philadelphia’s WXPN radio pointed to its legacy in helping people discover new music. “The most important thing you can do is support WXPN and the public media system in a way that is meaningful to you,” the station urged on its website.

But donations aren’t going to fill the hole left by the loss in federal funding, Maher said. The public media leaders have already turned to lobbying Congress to restore some of the funding through the appropriations process for next year’s budget. They don’t know how much time they have; Maher said it would be inordinately costly, and perhaps prohibitive, to reopen a radio station that is forced to close.

Public media isn’t getting any help from states, either. At least five states have reduced their own outlays for public media this year, either for budget or political reasons.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, for example, vetoed nearly $6 million that Florida lawmakers had set aside for public broadcasters the day before the state’s budget took effect on July 1. “Done in Florida,” DeSantis responded on social media to a Trump post calling public broadcasting a “monstrosity” that should be defunded.

Meanwhile, back in Alaska …

Back in Alaska, KMXT public radio station’s general manager, Jared Griffin, called the Senate vote a “devastating gut punch.” He estimated that the cuts would amount to 22% of KMXT’s budget. Griffin said the station’s board has already agreed on a plan to furlough staff members one day a month, and he’s taking a 50% pay cut.

This photo provided by Brian Venua shows Venua, a reporter at the public radio station KMXT, on air, Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Kodiak, Alaska. (Brian Venua via AP)

The station covers Kodiak Island, home to one of the nation’s largest U.S. Coast Guard bases.

“We have to dip into our savings while we figure out what KMXT is going to look like over the next six months, Griffin said. ”At least for the next year we’ll be fine but we’re probably going to have to look at leasing space in our building to other organizations to help fill that gap.”

Unalaska resident Nikki Whittern said KUCB plays a vital role in the community during emergencies like the tsunami warning.

“They broadcast everything, and they make sure that everybody knows and everybody’s safe,” said Whittern, a bartender. She spoke while preparing to open the Norwegian Rat Saloon — known to local fishermen simply as “the Rat” — on Thursday morning.

Bauder reported from New York. AP correspondents Sophie Bates in Jackson, Mississippi; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Jonathan Poet in Philadelphia; Isabella Volmert in Lansing, Michigan; and Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report.

Federal Reserve says building renovation complies with law, defends costs

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday said the agency’s renovation of two of its buildings is in compliance with plans approved by a local commission, disputing a White House suggestion that they may have violated the law by deviating from those plans.

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The letter is the latest salvo in an escalating battle between the Federal Reserve, an independent agency charged with fighting inflation and seeking maximum employment, and the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has for months criticized Powell and the Fed for not lowering its key interest rate, which the president says would boost borrowing and accelerate the economy.

Powell has said he wants to see how the economy responds to Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which could raise inflation and slow growth, before making any moves.

Trump has even threatened to fire Powell, though he has since backed away and said Wednesday it was “highly unlikely” that he would take the unprecedented step of doing so. Firing the Fed chair could cause chaos in the financial markets. Several executives of Wall Street banks have said this week that the Fed’s independence from day-to-day politics is crucial.

Still, the Trump administration has seized on ballooning costs for the Fed’s renovation of two century-old buildings to argue that Powell has mismanaged the project. The president can’t fire the Fed chair because of a policy disagreement, but he could do so “for cause,” which is widely seen as some kind of malfeasance or neglect.

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 17: The Federal Reserve building is seen as it goes under construction on July 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been pressuring Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell to cut interest rates, says that he is “highly unlikely” to fire him. Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought has asked the Powell to respond to a series of questions about cost overruns in the nearly $2.5 billion renovation by July 21st. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Last week, the president’s top budget adviser, Russell Vought, wrote Powell a letter that said Trump is “extremely troubled” by Powell’s management of the project, which has risen in cost to about $2.5 billion, up from the Fed’s initial estimate of $1.9 billion.

Vought’s letter also noted that Powell, in testimony before the Senate last month, said that the Fed removed some amenities that critics called ostentatious from its plans. Those plans had been approved by the National Capital Planning Commission in 2021.

Vought said in his letter that if the renovation plans had changed, they were no longer “in compliance with the approved plan” and may violate the National Capital Planning Act.

Powell responded Thursday that since the Fed’s plans were approved by the NCPC in September 2021, it has made only “a small number of design changes to scale back or eliminate certain elements” and added that the changes weren’t significant enough to “warrant… further review.”

“The project is proceeding in accordance with the plan that the NCPC approved,” Powell wrote.

The changes were intended “to simplify construction and reduce the likelihood of further delays and cost increases,” Powell said in his letter.

Powell also defended the cost of the renovation: “Both buildings were in need of significant structural repairs,” including “the removal of asbestos and lead contamination,” as well as the “complete replacement of antiquated systems such as electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as fire detection and suppression systems,” he wrote.

Attorneys sue to restore deportation protections for abused and neglected migrant children

By VALERIE GONZALEZ

Attorneys representing migrant children who were abused, neglected or abandoned by a parent asked a federal court on Thursday to restore their deportation protections after the Trump administration ended them.

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The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of New York, was filed on behalf of nine young people and their legal advocates who want a judge to keep the protections for up to nearly 150,000 beneficiaries.

“These young people have survived abuse, abandonment, and neglect only to be retraumatized now by the constant threat of detention and deportation from the same agencies that vowed to keep them safe,” said Rachel Davidson, plaintiff attorney with the National Immigration Project.

The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services were both named in the lawsuit. USCIS Spokesman Matthew J. Tragesser said, “As a matter of practice, USCIS does not comment on pending litigation.” DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Migrant children who suffered parental abuse, neglect or abandonment are designated through state courts and the federal government with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, which was created by Congress in 1990 with bipartisan support.

SIJS, as it is known, does not grant legal status. But it lets qualifying young people apply for a visa to become legal permanent residents and obtain a work permit. It can take years for a visa to become available due to annual caps. In 2022, the Biden administration allowed children to be shielded from deportation while waiting for a visa.

In June, the Trump administration ended deportation protection for SIJS beneficiaries. Without it, they can still wait in the U.S. for a visa but cannot receive work authorization. And if they are deported while they are waiting, they will no longer be eligible to become legal permanent residents.

Though overshadowed by higher-profile moves to end birthright citizenship and halt asylum at the border, the policy shift is part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration system overhaul intended to make it more difficult for people to legally remain in the U.S.

A Guatemalan teen who is living in New York and living with her older brother is one of the plaintiffs. She said through attorneys, who omit using the names of minors, that her dreams of becoming an astronaut one day may be cut short if she’s unable to continue high school for fear of deportation.

“I felt that I was finally in a safe environment, but if I had to return to (Guatemala), I would be very afraid of the violence and abuse from my mother and father,” she said in a statement shared by the attorneys without her name.

The policy shift may shut down a legal pathway to possible citizenship for nearly 150,000 migrants who attorneys estimate have received this classification and are stuck in the visa backlog.

It could keep them from obtaining Social Security cards, driver’s licenses, medical treatment, health insurance, higher education, bank accounts, and, for older youth, legal and safe employment opportunities.

Trump says Coke will shift to cane sugar. But increasingly, shoppers want no sugar in their sodas

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

The debate over whether Coca-Cola should use high-fructose corn syrup or cane sugar in its signature soda obscures an important fact: Consumers are increasingly looking for Coke with no sugar at all.

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Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, which was introduced in 2017, uses both the artificial sweetener aspartame and the natural sweetener stevia in its recipe. It’s one of Coke’s fastest-growing products, with global case volumes up 14% in the first quarter of the year. By comparison, the company’s total case volumes were up 2%.

PepsiCo also noted Thursday that 60% of its sales volumes in major markets in the second quarter came from low- or no-sugar drinks.

“When you look at colas, the percentage of growth coming from zero sugar is significant,” said Duane Stanford, the editor and publisher of Beverage Digest.

Coca-Cola Co. hasn’t confirmed a presidential pronouncement

The scrutiny over Coke’s sweeteners began Wednesday, when President Donald Trump announced that Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. had agreed to switch to using cane sugar in the regular version of its beverage manufactured in the U.S.

“I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so,” Trump wrote on his social media site. “I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”

FILE – Former President Donald Trump drinks a Diet Coke during the ProAm of the LIV Golf Team Championship at Trump National Doral Golf Club, Oct. 27, 2022, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Coca-Cola didn’t confirm the change. In a statement, the company said it appreciated Trump’s enthusiasm and would share details on new offerings soon.

Stanford said he doubts Coca-Cola will fully shift away from high fructose corn syrup, which has sweetened Coke in the U.S. since the 1980s. There would be tremendous supply chain and logistics headaches, he said, and the U.S. doesn’t make enough sugar for Coke’s needs.

He expects the Atlanta-based company will offer a cane sugar-sweetened version in the U.S. just like its rival Pepsi has been doing since 2009. He noted that Coke has indulged U.S. fans by importing Mexican Coke, which is made with cane sugar, since 2005. Coke positions Mexican Coke as an upscale alternative and sells it in glass bottles.

A rush to defend high fructose corn syrup

The corn industry wasn’t happy with the speculation. In a statement Wednesday, Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode said replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar makes no sense and would cost thousands of American manufacturing jobs.

Shares in ADM, a maker of high fructose corn syrup, dipped nearly 2% Thursday after Trump’s announcement.

In a message on X, Coca-Cola defended high fructose corn syrup, saying it’s no more likely to contribute to obesity than table sugar or other full-calorie sweeteners.

“It’s safe; it has about the same number of calories per serving as table sugar and is metabolized in a similar way by your body,” the company said. “Please be assured that Coca-Cola brand soft drinks do not contain any harmful substances.”

The Food and Drug Administration also says there is no evidence of any difference in safety among foods sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and those that sugar, honey or other traditional sweeteners.

US consumers are seeking more options

Soft drink preferences are highly subjective, as anyone who has been in a Pepsi vs. Coke or 7-Up vs. Sprite debate knows. But recent trends indicate that Coke and other drink makers need to focus on the kinds of low- and no-sugar drinks that a growing number of consumers are seeking, according to Stanford.

He said his data shows original Coke was the top seller by volume in the U.S. last year, with 19% market share, while Coke Zero Sugar was seventh and had a 4% market share. But Coke Zero Sugar’s share grew 10%, while original Coke’s share was flat.

Paige Leyden, the associate director of food service, flavors and ingredients reports at the market research company Mintel, said drinks with a health halo like Olipop — which has 1 gram of sugars compared to original Coke’s 65 grams — are also pressuring legacy soda makers. Mintel expects full-sugar sodas will see a 3.4% rise in U.S. sales this year, while diet sodas will see 11.8% growth.

Still, nutritionists suggest avoiding added sugars, no matter the form, since they provide empty calories with no nutrients. The 2020 U.S. dietary guidelines advise people to limit foods and beverages higher in added sugars, and say children under 2 should not be fed them at all.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, whose nutrition views often diverge from mainstream nutrition science, has spoken out against sugar. His agency is expected to release updated nutrition guidelines later this year.

“There’s things we’ll never be able to eliminate, like sugar,” Kennedy said at an April news conference. “And sugar is poison, and Americans need to know that.”

Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners are also named as a concern in a government report Kennedy issued in May.

AP Health and Science Editor Jonathan Poet contributed from Philadelphia.

US says it destroyed 500 metric tons of expired food aid but it won’t affect future distribution

By MATTHEW LEE

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department says its destruction of 500 metric tons of emergency food aid that was stored in a warehouse in the Middle East was required because it had expired and that the move will not affect the distribution of similar assistance moving forward.

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The high energy biscuits — used primarily to provide immediate nutritional needs for children in crisis situations — had been stored in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to respond to emergencies and could no longer be safely sent to potential recipients, so it was destroyed, department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters Thursday.

The issue, first reported by The Atlantic, has been raised repeatedly in congressional hearings this week, with Democratic lawmakers accusing the Trump administration of creating a crisis and ignoring urgent humanitarian needs by suspending most foreign assistance in its first month in office.

The administration already has dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development, the nation’s main agency for distributing food aid abroad, and is currently trying to rescind billions of dollars in foreign assistance. It comes as 319 million people around the world are facing acute hunger, and people in places like Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali and Haiti are teetering on the brink of starvation, according to the U.N. World Food Program.

Bruce said the amount destroyed was less than 1% of the 1 million metric tons of food assistance that the United States supplies each year and suggested that the destroyed stockpile would be replaced. But she could not say if the Trump administration would continue to provide the 1 million metric tons going forward.

“If something is expired, we will destroy it,” Bruce said, brushing aside appeals for the administration to either distribute the assistance itself or give it to aid agencies who could do so. “It’s a matter of whether or not it’s safe to distribute.”

Bruce said destroying expired stockpiled food — which is generally stored in warehouses near regions or countries at risk for drought, famine and other disasters — are not unprecedented and have occurred under previous administrations that have not pursued draconian cuts in foreign assistance.

The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jeanne Shaheen, asked Deputy Secretary of State for Management Michael Rigas on Wednesday about the destruction of the food.

The New Hampshire senator secured a commitment from Rigas to produce an inventory of current food aid stockpiles and a pledge from the administration to try to distribute warehoused assistance before it expires.

“If the State Department doesn’t have the officials to distribute it, let’s give it to other aid organizations so that they can distribute it, so it’s not going to waste and that people are getting the benefit of not only what American taxpayers pay for, but the people who are truly desperate,” Shaheen said.

She noted there are stocks of cooking oil sitting in a Houston port and food aid stored in Djibouti that may soon expire.

Rigas said the administration’s intention was not to deliberately allow food aid to expire and go to waste.

Former SF Giants executive Bill Neukom dies at 83

The Giants announced on Thursday afternoon that former managing general partner Bill Neukom has died at 83.

“On behalf of Greg Johnson, our ownership group, and the Giants family, we extend our deepest condolences to Bill’s wife, Sally, and the Neukom family. Bill will always hold a special place in our hearts and in the history of this franchise,” said Giants CEO Larry Baer in a statement. “He was instrumental in helping this organization and its players bring the first World Series Championship to San Francisco in 2010.

(Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group Archives)Neukom stands next to the Giants' 2010 World Series trophy before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals in April 2011.

“Bill will always be remembered for not only his leadership of this storied organization but also his colorful bowties and the fact he’d bring a glove to the ballpark to try and catch foul balls. He was a true gentleman, a dedicated fan and a friend to so many.”

Neukom, born and raised in San Mateo, became an investor with the Giants in 1995. In May 2008, he succeeded Peter Magowan as the Giants’ managing general partner. Neukom self-published “The Giants’ Way” that same year, outlining the philosophy and standards he wanted the organization to follow.

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Neukom, known for wearing his signature bow ties, was the first Giants’ principal owner to guide the franchise to a championship since Horace Stoneham in 1954, when the franchise was in New York.

He remained in the role until he retired after the 2011 season, when this news organization reported that he was asked to step down by the team’s 10-member Partners Executive Committee after a series of disagreements. He was succeeded by Baer.

Maryland man charged with threatening Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and her family

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Maryland man was arrested Thursday on charges that he made threatening calls to the Georgia offices of Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

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Seth Jason, 64, repeatedly threatened to assault and kill Greene and her family during several calls to her district offices in between October 2023 and January 2025, according to his four-count indictment. Jason also threatened Greene’s staff members and their families, authorities said.

Jason worked for Voice of America and made threatening calls using phone lines connected to studios and control rooms at the news agency’s headquarters in Washington, according to U.S. Capitol Police.

Jason, of Edgewater, Maryland, also volunteered as a reserve officer for the Anne Arundel County Police Department in Maryland. The department said in a statement that Jason had served as a volunteer since 2016.

“Anne Arundel County Reserve Officers are unarmed and have no police authority. Mr. Jason is no longer affiliated with the Anne Arundel County Police Department,” the statement said.

A lawyer for Jason did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

A grand jury indicted Jason on charges of influencing a federal official by threat, influencing a federal official by threatening a family member, interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure and anonymous telecommunications harassment.

Jason was expected to make his initial court appearance in Washington on Thursday.

“No one should have to live their life looking over their shoulder every day and wondering if those threats are about to be fulfilled and about to come true,” acting U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said at a news conference.

Pirro read aloud some of the statements that Jason is accused of making during the calls to Greene’s offices.

“I am looking forward to your book signing. We are all armed and ready to take care of you,” Jason said, according to Pirro.

Threats against members of Congress and other public officials have surged as the nation’s political landscape has become increasingly divisive.

During the news conference, Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan alluded to the June 14 shootings in Minnesota by a man charged with killing the Democratic leader in the state House and her husband after wounding another lawmaker and his wife.

“This has got to stop,” Sullivan said. “This has changed since Minnesota. We are going to work very, very hard to hold you accountable if you make these threats.”

49ers sign rookie Collins after second-round guarantee deadlock

The 49ers announced Thursday that they had signed second-round pick Alfred Collins to a four-year contract.

Collins’ deal could pay the 23-year-old defensive tackle up to $10.3 million over the four seasons and includes $9 million guaranteed, according to ESPN, which initially reported the agreement Wednesday evening.

With training camp set to open next week, rookies have been at the 49ers’ facility preparing for their veteran colleagues’ arrivals. But Collins, who has not yet practiced with the 49ers due to a calf injury, remained unsigned until this week along with all but two second-round picks in the league.

The top two picks in the round, Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Texans receiver Jayden Higgins, signed fully guaranteed deals in early May, perhaps setting a new precedent in the NFL’s system that includes automatic salary slots for rookies based on their draft position.

Some national analysts have suggested that the signing of Collins, the 11th pick in the round and the 43rd overall selection of the NFL Draft, may break the deadlock.

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His overall payout, according to Spotrac.com’s rookie scale sheet for the 2025 draft, is $10,296,326.

Collins had 142 tackles in 64 games over his five years at Texas. He was a second-team Associated Press All-American last season with 55 tackles over 16 games (all starts).

The 49ers had a hole at defensive tackle after releasing former prized free agent signee Javon Hargrave over the offseason.

Horoscopes July 17, 2025: Billie Lourd, pay it forward by offering help

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Billie Lourd, 33; Luke Bryan, 49; Carey Hart, 50; David Hasselhoff, 73.

Happy Birthday: Pay it forward by offering hands-on help and contributing your time and efforts to organizations and causes that matter to you. Fulfilling your purpose will bring you joy and lead to new beginnings and pastimes that make you feel alive. Changing what and how you do things will make your life easier and put your mind at ease. Strive to achieve personal gain, contentment and peace of mind. Your numbers are 2, 14, 21, 25, 32, 37, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Pay attention, think and decline an offer if you feel uncertain. A change will require more than you anticipate. Look for hidden costs before agreeing to something that could easily become a financial burden. Hibernating will help you avoid trouble and provide the peace you need to pursue your interests. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take pent-up energy and apply it to challenging physical activities. Consider your options and gravitate toward something you can afford. If you take on debt and responsibilities, it will be tough to achieve your objective. Making a change at home can boost your morale and offer insight into what’s possible. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Follow your heart, but don’t share personal information or how you feel with others. Give yourself time to digest and rethink your next move. Consider what you love and are grateful for, and walk away from what brings you down or stands between you and your dreams. Choose peace and love over discord. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Keep your thoughts and emotions to yourself. Offering too much personal information will put you in a vulnerable position. Concentrate on taking care of your responsibilities and your finances. Your gains will satisfy you and provide opportunities for advancement. Find your niche and head toward optimum uses that bring high returns. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Participate in groups making a difference. The people you meet and what you learn will encourage you to become a leader. Work hard and take pride in your accomplishments. Don’t expect to please everyone, but don’t put up with negativity when a positive attitude will stifle anyone who wants to challenge you. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Stop before you do or say something you will regret. Look inward and fine-tune your attitude and goals to attract positive people and input. You cannot put a price tag on loyal connections fighting for the same cause or results. Let go of toxic relationships and situations that threaten your well-being. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Visual learning will change your perspective on how educational pursuits impact you. An animated instructor will hold your attention and encourage you to be more entrepreneurial. Learn from the best, and you’ll find the success you crave. Moving, traveling and deep conversations will lead you in the right direction. Romance is favored. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Hands-on learning is the best kind. Delve in, watch tutorials, talk to an expert and perfect your skills. To gain ground, you must open your mind and be willing to try various applications and information to see if they help or spark ideas that work for you. Press forward with balance and integrity. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Speak up and exude charm, and you’ll have a positive impact on others. Craft a distinctive style that sets you apart from the competition. Being at the forefront will help you gain notoriety and attract people who are likely to spread the word, ultimately helping you build your brand. Romance looks promising. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Listen and dissect what you hear; it will help dismiss confusion and mistakes. Opportunities are present, and if you take all the information you gather, you’ll develop a unique plan that has substance and a higher success rate. Believe in yourself and your attributes. Leave nothing to chance or in someone else’s jurisdiction. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Point yourself in a choice direction and supercharge your way forward. You can make headway if you maintain focus, drive and insight into your goals. The sky’s the limit, and your charm and passionate portrayal of your vision will help you gain support. Leave time to cuddle with someone you love. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Put yourself first. Arrange your schedule to ensure you have time to relax and pamper yourself. A social event can help uncover what’s important to you and how to pursue making your dreams come true. Change may be daunting, but settling for less than what you want will lead to regret. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are resourceful, pioneering and charming. You are precarious and overprotective.

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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