Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 86

Ray throws second career complete game as SF Giants split series in Arizona

PHOENIX — The Giants went into their series finale at Chase Field with a bullpen in need of a breather.

Wednesday night’s 6-5 win, 10-inning win required manager Bob Melvin use five relievers: Erik Miller, Spencer Bivens, Randy Rodríguez, Tyler Rogers and Camilo Doval. Doval, in particular, threw two innings for the first time in three years, blowing a save in the ninth before locking down a win in the 10th.

Melvin would’ve been happy if Robbie Ray went seven innings. Ray went and gave the bullpen the entire night off.

Ray pitched the second complete game of his career as the Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 7-2, to split the four-game series, allowing two runs on a pair of solo homers over nine efficient innings.

“That’s the goal as a starting pitcher: go as deep as you can,” Ray said. “If you can finish a game, that’s even better. So, I’m pretty happy with this one.”

The only other complete game of Ray’s career, ironically enough, was with the Diamondbacks. On May 30, 2017, Ray threw the lone shutout of his career, striking out 10 batters without walking a single one in a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

That season, Ray earned the one and only All-Star appearance of his career. As the Midsummer Classic looms, he’s making his case for a second.

With tonight’s complete game, Ray ranks fourth in the National League in innings (107 1/3) and fifth in strikeouts (117) while being tied for seventh in ERA (2.68) and tied for eighth in WHIP (1.09). He’s now one of five pitchers in the National League who has thrown at least 100 innings with a sub-three ERA.

Logan Webb appears to be a lock for his second All-Star appearance given he’s complimenting his National League-leading 113 2/3 innings with a 2.61 ERA and 127 strikeouts. Ray’s fate appears to be more ambiguous despite his excellent numbers, but Melvin believes they’re both deserving.

“He makes a great case for himself,” Melvin said of Ray. “I would hope that two guys on the same staff wouldn’t preclude being on the (All-Star) team together if they deserve it. They both deserve it.”

Regardless of where he spends the All-Star Break, the last several months have affirmed that Ray, when healthy, is still one of the better left-handed starting pitchers in baseball. It’s a status he hasn’t held in quite some time.

Ray essentially lost the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery after making one start. When Ray returned to the mound last July, his body was still reacclimatizing to a starter’s workload; there was no expectation that Ray would provide six-plus innings every five-ish days.

Healthy once again, Ray is looking the part of a top-of-the-rotation starter.

“I always knew that it was in there. It just takes time after surgery,” Ray said. “Talking with guys, it’s the 18-to-20 months; that’s where the sweet spot is where you feel like yourself again. We kind of hit that around spring training, and that’s when I started feeling like myself again.”

It’s plenty appropriate that Ray threw his second complete game at Chase Field, a ballpark he called his home venue for five-and-a-half seasons as a Diamondback.

Tonight marked his first start in the desert since Aug. 26, 2020 when he was still pitching for Arizona, an outing that featured no fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In front of friends and family, Ray went the distance.

“He deserved it. He wanted it,” Melvin said. “When he came in after (eight) innings, there wasn’t even (a conversation). He just looked at me like, ‘I got this.’”

For as well as Ray pitched through the first eight innings, Melvin nearly had to call upon his bullpen to finish the job.

Ray entered the ninth inning having only thrown 78 pitches, the only blip on his line up to that point being a solo home run by Eugenio Suárez in the fifth inning. The left-hander began the ninth with a groundout, but after Ketel Marte homered and Geraldo Perdomo drew a nine-pitch walk, Spencer Bivens and Erik Miller began to get loose.

As pitching coach J.P. Martinez made a mound visit, Melvin decided that Ray had three batters left: Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Suárez and Randal Grichuk. Ray ensured his manager didn’t have to make a move. After getting Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to fly out, Ray froze Suárez with an up-and-in four-seam fastball to end the ballgame.

“Now, it’s a little bit of a different pitch mix too,” Melvin said. “You get a little deeper in your career, you do things a little bit differently. He’s one of those guys that’s just a great competitor and you feel his energy — both in our dugout and I’m sure on the other side too.”

Added catcher Andrew Knizner: “He figured out some stuff in the bullpen he threw here a few days ago. … I saw how some of his pitches were moving different and he was able to take all those shapes — improved shapes — into the game today. It definitely worked out well for him.”

Ray was aided by an offense that had one its more well-rounded games in recent months.

Rafael Devers drove in three runs, his most in a single game as a Giant. Heliot Ramos totaled two hits and two RBIs. Mike Yastrzemski compiled three hits; Willy Adames did the same with an RBI. Jung Hoo Lee contributed an RBI, while Andrew Knizner had two hits and scored twice.

After losing two of three to the White Sox and dropping the first two games of this four-game set, the Giants will enjoy a happy flight to West Sacramento for their three-game set against the Athletics at Sutter Health Field.

SF Giants’ Chapman to play rehab game, could return this weekend

PHOENIX — By weekend’s end, third baseman Matt Chapman could finally be back from the injured list.

Chapman, who hasn’t played since June 8, checked off another box in his return from right hand inflammation by taking batting practice at Chase Field prior to the Giants’ series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

As he walked off the field, Chapman told reporters that he plans to play a rehab game with Triple-A Sacramento on Friday as the Giants begin their three-game series against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. The River Cats are currently playing in Reno, which is roughly a two-hour drive from West Sacramento.

The five-time Gold Glover began his batting practice session by hitting pitches thrown by assistant hitting coach Damon Minor, sending several offerings over Chase Field’s tall center-field fence. Chapman then progressed to taking swings against a pitching machine with the velocity turned up.

“We tuned up the machine to pretty good velocity,” said manager Bob Melvin said of Chapman, who has a team-high .812 OPS. “He didn’t feel anything. Felt great. He’s frustrated with his swing right now, but that’s the way it goes with him. He ended his session mad — that’s a good thing.”

Chapman, who injured multiple fingers when sliding back to first base, said he hopes to return this weekend against his former team. If Chapman does not return against the Athletics, he could be back on Monday as San Francisco begins its three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

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Along with Chapman, infielder Casey Schmitt is likely to return when he is first eligible on Monday after receiving a cortisone shot earlier this week. Schmitt had been filling in for Chapman at third base until he was plunked by a pitch and diagnosed with left hand inflammation.

With Chapman back at third base, Schmitt should slide over to the infield’s right side and become the team’s starting second baseman. In 14 games as Chapman’s replacement, Schmitt had a slash line of .375/.444/.646 with four home runs and 12 RBIs.

Johnson optioned, Alcántara recalled

Prior to Thursday’s game, the Giants optioned outfielder Daniel Johnson to Triple-A and selected infielder Sergio Alcántara from Sacramento. Catcher Logan Porter was designated for assignment.

Infielder Tyler Fitzgerald, who was recalled earlier this week, has been dealing with a back ailment, and Melvin said the Giants feel that they’re “short an infielder right now.” Despite the bad back, Fitzgerald started for the Giants at second base on Thursday.

“We have (Wilmer Flores) out at third base one day,” Melvin said. “It just feels like we’re maybe an infielder short right now.”

Alcántara, 28, has played parts of three major-league seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres. He has a career .624 OPS with 12 homers over 192 games and has played at least 300 innings at second base, third base and shortstop in the majors.

Honduran family freed from detention after lawsuit against ICE courthouse arrests

By JIM VERTUNO

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A mother and her two young children from Honduras who had filed what was believed to be the first lawsuit involving children challenging the Trump administration’s policy on immigrant arrests at courthouses have been released from detention, civil rights groups and attorneys for the family said Thursday.

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The lawsuit filed on behalf of the mother identified as “Ms. Z,” her 6-year-old son and her 9-year-old daughter, said they were arrested outside the courtroom after an immigration court hearing in Los Angeles. They had been held for weeks in the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas. Their identities have not been released because of concerns for their safety.

The lawsuit said that the family entered the U.S. legally using a Biden-era appointment app and that their arrest violated their Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizure and their Fifth Amendment right to due process.

The family’s lawyers said the boy had also recently undergone chemotherapy treatment for leukemia and his mother feared his health was declining while in detention.

The family was released late Wednesday while their lawsuit was still pending, and they went to a shelter in South Texas before they plan to return to their lives in the Los Angeles area, said Columbia Law School professor Elora Mukherjee, one of the lawyers representing the family.

“They will go back to their lives, to church, and school, and the family will continue to pursue their asylum case. And hopefully the little boy will get the medical attention he needs,” Mukherjee said. “They never should have been arrested and detained in the first place. We are grateful they have been released.”

Department of Homeland Security officials did not immediately respond to an email request for comment. Last week, the agency posted on social media that the boy “has been seen regularly by medical personnel since arriving at the Dilley facility.”

Starting in May, the country has seen large-scale arrests in which asylum-seekers appearing at routine hearings have been arrested outside courtrooms as part of the White House’s mass deportation effort. In many cases, a judge will grant a government lawyer’s request to dismiss deportation proceedings and then U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will arrest the person and place them on “expedited removal,” a fast track to deportation.

Lawyers for the “Z” family said their lawsuit was the first one filed on behalf of children to challenge the ICE courthouse arrest policy.

There have been other similar lawsuits, including in New York, where a federal judge ruled last month that federal immigration authorities can’t make civil arrests at the state’s courthouses or arrest anyone going there for a proceeding.

“The Z family’s release demonstrates the power we have when we fight back against harmful, un-American policies,” said Kate Gibson Kumar, staff attorney for the Beyond Borders Program of the Texas Civil Rights Project.

The family’s lawyers have said that during their hearing before a judge, the mother said they wished to continue their cases for asylum. Homeland Security moved to dismiss their cases, and the judge immediately granted that motion.

When they stepped out of the courtroom, they found men in civilian clothing believed to be ICE agents who arrested the family, Mukherjee said. They spent about 11 hours at an immigrant processing center in Los Angeles and were each only given an apple, a small packet of cookies, a juice box and water.

At one point, an officer near the boy lifted his shirt, revealing his gun. The boy urinated on himself and was left in wet clothing until the next morning, Mukherjee said.

On 40th anniversary of ‘Back to the Future,’ Allstate celebrates its role in creation of DeLorean time machine

CHICAGO — On the 40th anniversary of the “Back to the Future” movie premiere, Illinois-based insurance giant Allstate is traveling back to the past to reveal its little-known role in developing the DeLorean, the futuristic but short-lived, gull-winged, stainless steel car that served as Doc Brown’s time machine.

Without Allstate, Marty McFly might never have left 1985 or perhaps he would have traveled back in time in a Buick, forever disrupting the space-time continuum of the seminal movie trilogy.

“The cars exist because of the partnership Allstate had with DeLorean,” said Sandee Lindorfer, vice president of auto claims for Allstate.

In the words of Doc Brown, “Great Scott!”

“Back to the Future” hit movie theaters on July 3, 1985. A customized 1981 DeLorean DMC-12, which took audiences on joyrides to 1955, 1885 and 2015 over the course of three films, was already relegated to the junkyard of automotive history by the time the movie premiered.

In the mid-1970s, Allstate worked with John DeLorean, an automobile executive and engineer, who left GM to launch his own namesake vehicle. The insurance company invested a reported $500,000 in a safety car project, developing prototypes with advanced seatbelt restraints, airbags and improved bumpers.

“We sponsored three prototypes with the DeLorean-Allstate safety car agreement, and we brought one of the prototypes to Congress to show them what could be done around smaller vehicles being more safe and having better fuel economy,” Lindorfer said.

A rented vintage DeLorean which is a replica from the movie “Back to the Future,” at Allstate’s Northbrook/Glenview headquarters on July 1, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)A rented pair of vintage DeLoreans – a stock 1981 model at left, and a replica from the movie “Back to the Future” – sit at Allstate’s Northbrook/Glenview headquarters on July 1, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)The time machine controls inside the vintage DeLorean replica from the movie "Back to the Future" at Allstate's Northbrook/Glenview headquarters on July 1, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Rental company owner Tom Sedor with his DeLorean replica from the movie “Back to the Future,” at Allstate’s Northbrook/Glenview headquarters on July 1, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)A flux capacitor inside the vintage DeLorean replica from the movie "Back to the Future" at Allstate's Northbrook/Glenview headquarters on July 1, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Show Caption1 of 5A rented vintage DeLorean which is a replica from the movie “Back to the Future,” at Allstate’s Northbrook/Glenview headquarters on July 1, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Expand

One prototype evolved into the sleek DeLorean DMC-12, which went into limited but ill-timed production at a Northern Ireland factory during a recession in 1981, generating buzz but few sales.

By 1982, the debt-ridden company was in bankruptcy and its founder in legal trouble, facing indictments on separate drug and fraud charges. John DeLorean was ultimately acquitted on both counts, but his car was seemingly no more than a flash in the pan.

Three years later, the DeLorean was reborn as Doc Brown’s time machine, and the rest is cinematic history.

Initially, the time machine was envisioned as a refrigerator-like chamber that Doc Brown carried on the back of his truck. Then director Robert Zemeckis had the inspiration that the time machine should be mobile, and specifically chose the DeLorean for its futuristic design.

“The way I see it, if you’re going to build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?” Doc Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, explains in the movie.

In the annals of “Back to the Future” lore, a lot of similar nuggets have emerged since the film trilogy premiered.

For example, the 1989 second installment predicted the Cubs would finally end their century-long World Series drought with a 2015 win over the fictional Miami Gators. The Cubs actually broke through in 2016, beating the Cleveland Indians, but the movie was pretty close.

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Also, the role of Marty McFly was initially given to Eric Stoltz, who participated in over a month of filming before he was replaced by Michael J. Fox, the more comedically gifted “Family Ties” star.

But Allstate’s role in developing the car that begot the time machine and an enduring movie star remained buried in a dusty folder in the back of a corporate cabinet for decades. In 2019, an Allstate archivist found the mysterious DeLorean file and began exploring the mostly forgotten connection.

Six years later, on the 40th anniversary of “Back to the Future,” Allstate is finally ready to take a modest bow.

On Tuesday, Allstate rented a pair of vintage DeLoreans to celebrate the movie, the car and the unlikely part the insurance company played in both. Tucked away in the back of an underground garage at Allstate’s downsized Northbrook/Glenview headquarters near Chicago, across the street from its former sprawling corporate campus, the vehicles were briefly on display for the media and a handful of executives.

The cars, which included a stock 1981 DeLorean and a tricked-out version replicating the “Back to the Future” time machine, were rented from an Orland Park company — DeLorean USA Rental — that leases the vehicles for parties and events.

“You can’t drive it because the insurer doesn’t allow it,” said Tom Sedor, who owns the cars and the rental company.

The time machine, which includes a flux capacitor and a Mr. Fusion nuclear reactor in the back — replete with banana peel as fuel — is fully drivable, and the garage and adjacent parking lot offered enough room to get it up to the 88 mph threshold required to go back to the future.

But Sedor, 57, who customized the movie mockup with a 3D printer and assorted parts from Menards and RockAuto, said the replica has yet to successfully make the time jump.

“Nothing happened, no sparks,” said Sedor. “Everything drove normally. Actually, it’s very, very impressive to drive.”

rchannick@chicagotribune.com

PG&E warns of scams going around Central Coast

PG&E is warning customers of scams that have been going around the Central Coast and have resulted in over $190,000 stolen so far.

The utility company has received over 10,000 reports of scams targeting residential and business customers, with nearly 200 being reported from the Central Coast. There have been 110 scams reported in Monterey County and over 80 reported in Santa Cruz, San Benito and San Luis Obispo counties.

“Scammers seek to create a sense of panic, threatening disconnection of utility services if immediate payment is not made. If a phone call, visit to your home or email doesn’t feel right, don’t fall for it. Hang up, shut the door and do not respond to the email,” said PG&E Cybersecurity Risk Manager Amy Lucido in a news release.

Many customers have been targeted through a call claiming their services will be disconnected if an immediate payment isn’t made through a pre-paid debit card or digital payment. PG&E will never demand payment through sending a single notification before a service interruption, according to the news release.

The average scam victim has lost over $900 and over 200 customers have reported falling victim. The number of victims is likely higher since many scams go unreported.

PG&E is advising customers beware of any threats to disconnect, requests for immediate payment, requests for prepaid cards, offers for refunds and rebates that require personal financial information and scammers pretending they are calling from a PG&E 800 number.

“Remember, PG&E will never ask for your financial information over the phone or via email, nor will we request payment via pre-paid debit cards or other methods of money transfer, including mobile applications,” said Lucido.

There have also been 250 reports of scammers targeting small and medium-sized businesses in 2025. The attempts usually occur during business hours hoping “to catch unsuspecting victims while they are distracted or stressed,” according to the release.

The company is advising customers do the following to protect themselves from scams:

Never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service shutoff. PG&E offers a variety of ways to pay a bill including online, phone and mail-in payments. Asking for a prepaid card  number is a way for scammers to get immediate access to the card’s funds.Customers shouldn’t entertain someone threatening them with immediate disconnection or shutoff without prior notification. If a customer has a delinquent account, PG&E will send an advance disconnection notice by mail and in their monthly bill.Signing up for an online account can help customers keep track of their balance, payment history and other timely alerts. Customers can also call PG&E Customer Service directly at 800-743-5000 for assistance.Anyone who believes they are victims of fraud should reach out to local law enforcement and visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website for further information on how to protect themselves.

More information can be found at pge.com/scams.

Big Sur: Both lanes of Highway 1 open at Rocky Creek

BIG SUR – In time for the Fourth of July weekend, both lanes of Highway 1 reopened Monday night where a slip out occurred more than a year ago.

Two viaducts have been built to support the highway about 12 miles south of Carmel at Rocky Creek. But another part of the repair job continues on the seawall below, which was also damaged when the slip out happened, and will affect traffic at times over the summer.

“Certainly, the Big Sur community, its businesses and residents, have expressed their appreciation for the expedited timeline which saw Highway 1 reopen to two lanes in only 15 months,” said Caltrans District 5 spokesperson Kevin Drabinski. “This was an impressive construction feat considering that a road had to be rebuilt with very little space to work with while perched 170 feet above the ocean. Caltrans is also proud to have engaged with the community throughout the different iterations of flagging control and overnight closures to identify a work schedule which reduced impacts to community events.”

The Rocky Creek slip out of March 30, 2024, resulted in a loss of a section of the southbound lane. For six weeks following the slide, travelers were able to drive through Highway 1 at Rocky Creek in twice-daily convoys using the viable northbound lane, allowing for access to the communities of Big Sur. Further measures were taken to restore vehicle passage using only the northbound lane when Caltrans established one-way, 24-7, signalized traffic control.

For six weeks following the slide, travelers were able to drive through Highway 1 at Rocky Creek in twice-daily convoys using the viable northbound lane, allowing for critical access to the communities of Big Sur. (Caltrans)

Caltrans repaired the southbound lane by constructing a viaduct to support that side of the roadway. The viaduct installation entailed crews drilling and casting reinforced concrete columns to support the weight of the viaduct structure in advance of the installation of girders. The design of the viaduct involved support from the two ends as well as two support columns in the middle, which made for a three-span design. The three girders for the southbound lane — which were installed in mid-December 2024 — were placed across three spans, totaling nine concrete girders, ranging from 45 to 65 feet in length. That was followed up by a full overnight closure to allow Caltrans crews to pour the concrete bridge deck for the southbound lane of the Rocky Creek viaduct structure.

The southbound lane of Highway 1 at Rocky Creek reopened to travel on March 8, after completion of the southbound viaduct structure.

Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek slip out repair site has had many overnight closures in the past few weeks to accelerate completion of the northbound viaduct structure. A recent overnight closure was conducted to pour concrete for the northbound bridge deck that followed the successful installation of six concrete girders a few weeks ago.

Caltrans has also used previous overnight closures to deliver supplies and equipment to the shore below for the seawall restoration project and continues to repair the damaged seawall at Rocky Creek. The restored barrier will better protect this section of Highway 1 and increase roadway resiliency officials say. Travelers can anticipate intermittent traffic control at Rocky Creek through the summer.

“Travelers will see only minimal impact in the form of occasional flagging control from the seawall restoration project which continues below the newly constructed viaduct and the Rocky Creek Bridge,” said Drabinski. “Restoration of the seawall is on schedule and the projected date for completion of the seawall restoration project is the end of November 2025, in advance of seasonal rains.”

Gordon N. Ball, Inc. of Walnut Creek and Teichert Construction in Sacramento served as the contractors throughout the repair effort. The total cost for the project, first estimated to be about $20 million, is now estimated at $15.4 million.

“The difference between the estimated and actual costs for viaduct construction is in part a result of having to pose an initial estimate without having been able to completely evaluate the relevant site factors, such as where and how deep the abutments and support columns would be situated,” said Drabinski. “Every slide and slip out has its own personality if you will, and we learned more about construction costs as the design for the viaduct moved forward.”

Caltrans said it would like to thank the residents and businesses of Big Sur for their patience and communication during these emergency repairs. These partnerships helped the department create work schedules that reduced disruptions to planned community events.

More than 100 miles of Highway 1 on the Big Sur Coast remain open and accessible.

Though Highway 1 to Big Sur is open, the coastal highway remains closed 40 miles south of Carmel due to the Regent’s Slide — post mile 27.8 — which occurred March 9, 2024, and where top-down removal of slide material by crews began on April 30, 2024.

Travelers to the Big Sur coast from southern California will also encounter the closure of the coast highway at Regent’s Slide. The vast majority of the Big Sur coast remains accessible and open with about 6 miles of closure between the north and south ends of Highway 1 to accommodate work on Regent’s Slide.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X/Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Supreme Court clears way for deportation to South Sudan of several immigrants with no ties there

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the way for the deportation of several immigrants who were put on a flight in May bound for South Sudan, a war-ravaged country where they have no ties.

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The decision comes after the court’s conservative majority found that immigration officials can quickly deport people to third countries. The majority halted an order that had allowed immigrants to challenge any removals to countries outside their homeland where they could be in danger.

The court’s latest order makes clear that the South Sudan flight can complete the trip, weeks after it was detoured to a naval base in Djibouti where the migrants were held in a converted shipping container. It reverses findings from federal Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts, who said his order on those migrants still stands even after the high court lifted his broader decision.

The majority wrote that their decision on June 23 completely halted Murphy’s ruling and also rendered his decision on the South Sudan flight “unenforceable.” The court did not fully detail its legal reasoning on the underlying case, as is common on its emergency docket.

Two liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented, saying the ruling gives the government special treatment. “Other litigants must follow the rules, but the administration has the Supreme Court on speed dial,” Sotomayor wrote. Justice Elena Kagan wrote that while she disagreed with the original order, it does countermand Murphy’s findings on the South Sudan flight.

Attorneys for the eight migrants have said they could face “imprisonment, torture and even death” if sent to South Sudan, where escalating political tensions have threatened to devolve into another civil war.

“We know they’ll face perilous conditions, and potentially immediate detention, upon arrival,” Trina Realmuto, executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, said Thursday.

The push comes amid a sweeping immigration crackdown by Trump’s Republican administration, which has pledged to deport millions of people who are living in the United States illegally. The Trump administration has called Murphy’s finding “a lawless act of defiance.”

The White House and Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Authorities have reached agreements with other countries to house immigrants if authorities can’t quickly send them back to their homelands. The eight men sent to South Sudan in May had been convicted of serious crimes in the U.S. and had final orders of removal.

Murphy, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, didn’t prohibit deportations to third countries. But he found migrants must have a real chance to argue they could be in danger of torture if sent to another country, even if they’ve already exhausted their legal appeals.

The men and their guards have faced rough conditions on the naval base in Djibouti where authorities detoured the flight after Murphy found the administration had violated his order by failing allow them a chance to challenge the removal. They have since expressed a fear of being sent to South Sudan, Realmuto said.

Here’s what to know about clean energy in Republican megabill headed to Trump

By ALEXA ST. JOHN

Congress passed a massive tax and spending cuts package Thursday that curbs billions of dollars in spending across clean energy. That means people will be paying a lot more for home solar, energy efficiency and other green technologies — and the nation’s efforts to address climate change just got a lot more challenging.

The bill that awaits President Donald Trump’s signature supports mining, drilling and production of the oil, coal and gas that are largely driving Earth’s warming and the increasingly deadly and costly extreme weather that comes with it. Producing and burning these fossil fuels also contributes to air pollution and human health problems.

At the same time, the bill slashes tax credits for clean technologies including wind and solar energy. That will likely mean delay or cancellation of countless projects, affecting thousands of jobs and driving up household energy costs.

Here are four things to know about what the bill means for clean energy:

FILE – Theodore Tanczuk, left, and Brayan Santos, right, of solar installer YellowLite, put panels on the roof of a home in Lakewood, Ohio, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)Cuts to home energy credits will make updates more costly

The climate law passed during former President Joe Biden’s term included tax credits for systems and projects at home — like solar and batteries — that save homeowners money over time and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.

These systems have gotten cheaper over the years but they’re still hefty upfront expenses that some homeowners would struggle to absorb without the credits. An average rooftop solar installation can run $20,000 or more; the credit has covered almost one-third of that. An average heat pump typically costs several thousand dollars; the tax credit reimbursed up to 30% of the cost, or $2,000.

The U.S. Treasury Department said more than 2 million families claimed more than $2 billion of the credit for upgrades such as windows, insulation, heating and cooling systems in tax year 2023 returns. More than 1.2 million families claimed more than $6 billion in the credit for solar installations, solar water heating, geothermal heat pumps and battery storage and other improvements that same year.

The bill ends both tax credits at the end of this year.

“No one asked Congress to make their energy bills even higher,” said Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a nonprofit that advocates for cutting energy waste. “Taking away incentives for energy-saving improvements would raise monthly bills for families and businesses.”

But Republican lawmakers hailed the measure. Republican Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said it helps unleash American energy and will save taxpayers money.

“Extending good tax policy, delivering targeted relief and reining in wasteful spending is the best way to restore economic prosperity and opportunity for all Americans,” he said.

FILE – Electric vehicles charge at an Electrify America station in Arcadia, Calif., May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)Electric vehicle credits disappear

The bill eliminates credits of up to $7,500 for buyers of new electric vehicles and up to $4,000 for buyers of used EVs.

That’s likely to hurt the growth of a technology that is seen as critical to cutting down on a big source of Earth’s warming. Transportation is the largest single source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions — 28% in 2022, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

EV sales have grown steadily, making up about 8% of new car sales in the U.S. last year, according to Motorintelligence.com. Biden had set a target for half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. to be electric by 2030.

But that purchase may be harder for consumers to swallow without a credit. EVs sold for an average of $57,734 in May, while new vehicles overall sold at an average of $48,799, according to Kelley Blue Book.

The credits go away after Sept. 30.

FILE – Wind turbines are visible along Route 176 as vehicles travel eastbound Feb. 24, 2025, in Andrews, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)Big wind and solar projects will struggle to qualify for tax credits

For large-scale wind and solar, the bill speeds up the timelines projects must meet to qualify for a tax credit. The industry says it will be nearly impossible for many projects to meet those accelerated timelines, putting massive projects from Colorado to Texas to Arizona at risk.

The bill allows a full tax credit for wind and solar developments that start construction within a year of the law’s enactment. But projects that begin more than a year after the bill’s passage have to be operational by the end of 2027 or they won’t get a credit.

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Atlas Public Policy, a policy consultancy, said roughly 28 gigawatts of wind and solar projects are planned to be operational after the start of 2028 but haven’t begun construction yet. Under the bill, they’re unlikely to qualify for a credit.

Wind provides about 10% of the electricity generated in the U.S., according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, with a goal of 20% by 2030. Solar is at about 4%, with the industry’s target at one point to reach 30% by the end of the decade.

Clean energy advocates, developers and investors say wind and solar are crucial for the nation’s renewables ambitions, and tax credits help to make them viable. But Trump has pulled the U.S. out of the Paris agreement, which calls on signatories to try to keep global temperatures from warming 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times.

Instead, the bill supports traditional fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal, as well as nuclear power. Proponents say it will increase reliability since the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine.

“Americans need reliable and affordable energy, wasteful spending needs to be cut, and our country needs to be able to build again,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va, applauding the bill.

FILE – An electric vehicle charges at a station May 22, 2025, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)Experts say watch out for higher energy prices

But others say Americans can expect to see higher utility bills. That’s unwelcome news at a time when the nation’s growth in data centers, driven by demand for artificial intelligence, are sending energy use higher, and when climate change is fueling more frequent extreme weather.

Nonpartisan and energy groups estimate the bill’s passage could increase average annual electricity costs by more than $100 per household by next year. If fewer solar and wind projects are added to the grid because there is less incentive and it is too expensive for developers to do so without credits, some states could see increases of more than $200.

“At a time when energy demand is surging and families are already struggling to make ends meet, this bill would raise costs, make the grid less reliable, and make the U.S. more dependent on foreign oil,” said Lori Lodes, executive director of climate action advocacy group Climate Power. “It threatens our power supply just as extreme weather and record demand are putting historic strain on the grid, forcing brownouts and blackouts across the country.”

The loss of tax credits might not immediately impact project plans. But increased uncertainty makes it more difficult to invest in innovative new technologies and maintain national security.

Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn. Reach her at ast.john@ap.org.

Read more of AP’s climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-env...

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Takeaways as Congress sends tax and spending cuts bill to Trump’s desk

By MARY CLARE JALONICK

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed the massive tax and spending cuts package that President Donald Trump calls “beautiful,” getting it to his desk a day before the July 4 deadline that he had set.

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The 887-page bill includes spending cuts, tax breaks, military spending, money for deportations and other longtime GOP priorities like cuts to Medicaid and renewable energy programs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that under the bill 11.8 million more Americans would become uninsured by 2034 and 3 million more would not qualify for food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits.

Some takeaways from Trump’s “big beautiful bill” and the path Republicans took to pass it:

Loyalty to Trump carries the day

By Congress time standards, the bill moved at lightning speed — reaching Trump’s desk less than six months into his term. That was only possible because Trump set a firm deadline, July 4 and pressured Republican lawmakers to get it done.

Few were left to resist, as most of Trump’s Republican critics over the years have either retired or lost reelection. Unfailingly loyal House and Senate Republicans were quick to make his priority their priority.

Plus, GOP lawmakers know they would suffer political consequences for dissent. One senator who did, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, abruptly announced on Sunday that he would retire next year — a day after saying he would oppose the legislation because of its reductions to health care programs.

“Tillis is a talker and complainer, NOT A DOER,” Trump had posted on X of Tillis.

Tillis joined Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky in voting against the bill in the Senate. In the House, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Thomas Massie of Kentucky were the only Republicans to vote against it.

Massie has also faced Trump’s wrath. “Massie is weak, ineffective, and votes “NO” on virtually everything put before him,” Trump posted last month.

‘Trifecta’ for the win

The legislation’s passage was a direct outgrowth of the GOP election sweep that gave them the White House and majorities in both the House and the Senate. The so-called “trifecta” of power only comes around every so often, and Republicans were determined that it not go to waste.

Crucially, holding power in both chambers of Congress gave Republicans the option of using a budget procedure that overrides the Senate filibuster and allows the majority to pass legislation with only 51 votes. That meant no Democratic support was needed and they never had to involve them in the process.

Both parties have used the budget procedure to pass priorities over the years when they have found themselves with a similar trifecta — Democrats to pass the Affordable Care Act under President Barack Obama in 2010, Republicans to pass tax cuts in 2017 during Trump’s first term and Democrats again to pass President Joe Biden’s climate, health care and tax package in 2022.

Thune and Johnson get it done for Trump

The bill was a major test for both House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., both of whom had very narrow majorities to navigate and wanted to show Trump that they could get his legislation passed.

The two initially disagreed on how to move forward — Johnson wanted one bill, Thune wanted two — but they eventually agreed and worked together with Trump to push the bill through each difficult step and win enough votes.

Whatever it takes to get the votes

As Trump pressured the GOP leaders for a big July 4 win, he appeared to be mostly flexible when it came to what was actually in the bill. So Johnson and Thune worked to get the votes by listening to members across the ideological spectrum and adjusting the legislation as needed to ensure that they kept nearly every single Republican on board.

To get that much support, the leaders packed the bill with personal priorities for some of their most skeptical members. House Republicans from New York won a higher cap on state and local tax deductions. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley won long-sought money for those impacted by nuclear development and testing. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski won several provisions to help her sprawling state, including carve-outs for Medicaid and food stamps.

Murkowski was the last holdout in the Senate, and Thune set votes in motion within hours of her commitment to support it.

“Failure is not an option,” he said a month ago. “We’ve got to get to 51.”

Democrats bet big on disapproval

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., have kept up a steady opposition to the legislation and believe that its Medicaid and food stamp cuts could win them new seats, and perhaps a majority, in next year’s midterm elections.

“This vote will haunt our Republican colleagues for years to come,” Schumer said after the Senate passed the bill. “Because of this bill, tens of millions will lose health insurance. Millions of jobs will disappear. People will get sick and die.”

Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz posted on X Wednesday evening that “it is entirely possible that we win the Senate” if the bill passes.

“I hope this bill dies, but if it passes they will pay a steep political price,” Schatz wrote.

Delay, Delay, Delay

With no power to stop the bill, Democrats embraced the powers they did have and forced long delays as Republicans neared passage.

Jeffries tied up the House floor for almost nine hours just as Republicans secured the votes, delaying their big win — and members’ flights out of town for the July 4 holiday — with a speech criticizing the bill and sharing stories of people who would be affected by cuts to Medicaid and other programs. “This is not who we are,” Jeffries said.

Schumer delayed Senate passage as well, forcing Senate clerks to read the entire 887-page bill, a step in the process that leaders usually agree to skip. It took almost 16 hours.

Debt ceiling fight is averted

One huge win for Republicans is that the bill increases the nation’s debt limit by $5 trillion to allow continued borrowing to pay already accrued bills. By adding that provision, Republicans avoided risking a U.S. default and also having to pass the debt limit increase separately, a move that would have required 60 votes in the Senate and Democratic support for passage.

The last time Congress raised the debt limit was 2023, after weeks of high-wire negotiations between the Republican House, the Democratic Senate and President Biden.

Starting at no, ending at yes

Many Republicans had deep concerns about the bill. Almost every one of them voted for it anyway.

Hawley and Murkowski strongly criticized the Medicaid cuts, but voted for the legislation when some of their state priorities were added. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson had once called the legislation “immoral” and “grotesque,” arguing that it would raise deficits. But he also voted for it.

New York lawmakers fought for quadrupling the cap on the state and local tax deduction to $40,000 in the House-passed bill and were unhappy when the Senate went along with that for just five years instead of 10 years. But, in the end, they accepted the change.

“I can’t be a yes on that,” Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said. But when the roll was called, he was.

No ‘John McCain moment’

The late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., famously killed Trump’s attempt to repeal Obamacare when he became the deciding vote with a thumbs down in 2017. With narrow margins in both chambers, any Republican could have similarly killed this effort.

Murkowski, who, like McCain, voted against the Republican health care effort in 2017, was the only undecided senator left in the final hours before the Senate vote. But she ultimately supported it, a decision she called “agonizing.”

Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.

Horoscopes July 3, 2025: Tom Cruise, control will be an issue

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Olivia Munn, 45; Andrea Barber, 49; Tom Cruise, 63; Montel Williams, 69.

Happy Birthday: Control will be an issue. Temptation is the culprit that lures you down the wrong path. Staying aware of the fallout of emotionally chaotic situations will help you maintain equilibrium and your status quo. Trust your inner voice, keep your secrets to yourself and take good care of your health, wealth and reputation. You have plenty to gain if you do what’s right and best for you. Your numbers are 9, 12, 17, 28, 33, 37, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Participate in hobby groups. Being a part of an organization will allow you to have a say in how things unfold. Offer your skills, and you’ll connect with people who have something to offer in return. Change begins with effort and gaining access to a platform that gives you a say. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Stick to basics and only offer what you know you can deliver. Concentrate on personal growth, physical improvements and dealing with institutions that can help you with any necessary regulations, documentation or down payments to proceed with your plans. Taking care of business and financial affairs first will put your mind at ease. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep tabs on your expenditures. Generosity, entertainment and hefty contributions or penalties will leave you cash-poor if you aren’t careful. Emotions will surface if professional associates outmaneuver or mislead you. Be cognizant of what others expect of you, and outperform anyone who wants to compete. Learn as you go and do your best. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take nothing for granted and prepare to fulfill every detail left undone. You need to get the most mileage out of your expertise. It’s time to shine; avoid getting flustered when making a move is necessary. Thoughts followed by actions will seal whatever deal you are working toward and encourage you to move forward. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Go on a learning expedition and discover how to improve yourself, your relationships or your home. Alter your routine by signing up for something you’d like to learn more about. The people you meet will enrich your life by pushing you to embrace new beginnings. Friendships and life changes will flourish. Enjoy the ride. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Impulse mixed with emotional instability will lead to mistakes and regret. Pour your time and energy into something productive. Put more detail into your work. Superiors will take notice or lend a helping hand to a cause that concerns you, and it will enrich your life and connect you to someone intriguing. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Do what brings you joy. It’s time to liquidate what no longer excites you or has meaning in your life. Lightening your load, whether it’s an accumulation of stuff, emotional baggage or any other deadweight in your life, will offer satisfaction, peace of mind and free time to follow your heart. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Embrace life and love, and make your happiness your goal. Refuse to let what others say guilt you into foregoing what you want to do. Put yourself first, and enjoy what comes your way. Invest in harvesting the life you want, the person you want to become and the goals you want to achieve. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Make your home your haven: a place to hide out, do your own thing and enjoy your company. Give yourself a chance to breathe, rethink the past and revise the future to suit your needs. Stay away from those who make you feel selfish or disrupt your space. Live within your means. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Deter anyone from making choices for you. Participate in events or activities of interest, and adjust money matters to ensure your financial safety and security. Distance yourself from those who ask and expect too much from you. Look for equality and shared interests in relationships; you’ll discover someone special. Romance is favored. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Curb emotions and look at the facts, figures and anything else that can help combat mistakes. Refuse to let someone take control or use manipulative tactics on you. Know your worth and stand up for what’s right and best for you. A change of attitude will help put your life and situation back on track. 5 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Review, adjust and keep moving forward. The changes you make will stand out and make others notice. Trust and believe in your ability to get things done and lead the way to a brighter future. Opportunity knocks, and doors will open; now’s your chance to excel and to enjoy the rewards you deserve. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are reflective, concerned and helpful. You are conscientious and responsive.

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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