Chargers WR Mike Williams says homecoming ‘feels good’

• March 14, 2025

EL SEGUNDO — Mike Williams said the obvious Friday upon his return to the Chargers, after agreeing to a one-year contract potentially worth up to $6.5 million earlier in the week. Actually, he said at least two things that rang true when he met with reporters at the team’s training facility.

“I never wanted to leave,” Williams said of the Chargers’ decision to release him as part of a series of cost-cutting moves in order to slide under the NFL’s salary cap last year and of their decision to re-sign him after he split this past season with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

“But it was the business part of football and things happen, and now I’m back.”

Williams also said, “Last year was terrible for me. It was terrible. Probably the worst year I had in the league by far. So, yeah, putting it in the past. That was the past. Trying to make it feel like it didn’t happen. Just trying to get back to what I’m used to and that’s having fun. That’s my main thing.

“This is where it all started and I’m excited to be back.”

Williams tried to form connections with first Aaron Rodgers of the Jets and then Russell Wilson of the Steelers after New York traded him to Pittsburgh at midseason. He never really clicked with either. Certainly not as he did with Philip Rivers and then Justin Herbert while with the Chargers.

In seven seasons with the Chargers, Williams caught 309 passes for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns. Last season, he caught 12 passes for 166 yards with the Jets and nine passes for 132 yards and one touchdown with the Steelers. He was not a featured receiver for Rodgers or Wilson.

It was an unusual and uncomfortable position for Williams, who had forged an unbreakable bond with Herbert, in particular. Herbert would throw the ball in Williams’ direction, knowing Williams could outleap and outmaneuver defenders to make remarkable catches, especially along the sidelines.

Herbert and Williams made the spectacular seem routine.

It never happened with the Jets or the Steelers.

Rodgers, in particular, trusted several of his wide receivers.

Williams was not one of them, though.

So, when Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz invited Williams back for a second stint, Williams couldn’t say no. It was as if he was home again, and he was looking forward to being reunited with Herbert while learning a new playbook from Coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

“It feels good,” Williams said of his homecoming, smiling broadly.

FULL CIRCLE (PART 2)

Running back Najee Harris first met Harbaugh while a high school standout in the Bay Area town of Antioch. Harbaugh was the coach of the San Francisco 49ers and, after jumping to the University of Michigan, began to recruit Harris. In fact, Harbaugh turned up at Harris’ homecoming game.

Harris recalled his college decision came down to the final days. He decided against playing for Harbaugh at Michigan, playing instead for Nick Saban at the University of Alabama. He had airline tickets waiting for him for each destination, but opted for Alabama at almost the last minute.

Now, after a standout career with the Crimson Tide and four years of rushing for 1,000 yards or more per season with the Steelers, Harris, 27, will finally suit up for Harbaugh this season. Harris agreed to a one-year contract potentially worth as much as $9.25 million earlier this week.

“We talked two days ago on the phone,” Harris said of Harbaugh. “He’s the same guy. Then (Thursday) we sat down and chopped it up over dinner. He’s the same guy he always was. Energetic. Life of the party. He’s a good guy to be around. Down to earth. He makes you feel comfortable.”

 PHILLIPS AGREES

The Chargers and Del’Shawn Phillips, a former Houston Texans linebacker and special teams ace, agreed to terms on a one-year contract. Phillips would likely slot into the spot vacated by Nick Niemann, who agreed to join the Texans on a two-year deal worth as much as $6.5 million earlier this week.

Phillips, 28, has made 34 tackles on nearly 1,400 snaps on special teams during his five-season career with the Buffalo Bills, the Jets, Baltimore Ravens and the Texans. He had 16 tackles in 17 games last season for the Texans, who signed him as a free agent in March 2024.

​ Orange County Register 

LA Marathon: Freeway ramps and streets closures for the March 16 race

• March 14, 2025

The 40th Los Angeles Marathon on March 16, sponsored by Asics, kicks off at the starting line at Dodger Stadium and ends at the finish line in Century City.

Participants end their 26.2 miles experience — 40% are first-time marathon runners in 2025 — at the finish line on Santa Monica Boulevard at Avenue of the Stars.

Here are the numerous freeway ramps and street closures to be aware of on March 15-16 along the L.A. Marathon route. Motorists should anticipate delays, plan ahead and choose alternate routes.

The Freeways

Caltrans is scheduled to close the following freeway ramps and turn lanes of US Route 101, State Route 110 and Interstate 405 (also known as the 101, the 110 and the 405) beginning at 3 a.m. March 16, and with staggered opening through 3 p.m. Be aware that the closures may start earlier or end later.

For real-time freeway traffic information, go to the Caltrans Quickmap here https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/QM/maps/traffic/mwebview.html or download the Caltrans Quickmap mobile version from your phone’s app store.

Northbound 110 closures

– Hill Street/Stadium Way ramp (3-9:35 a.m.)

– 110 northbound to 101 southbound Temple Street 3:10-9:42 a.m.)

Southbound 110 closures

– Hill Street ramp (3-9:35 a.m.)

– Stadium Way ramp (3-9:35 a.m.)

– Sunset Boulevard ramp (3-9:20 a.m.)

Northbound 101 closures

– Spring Street ramp (3-9:50 a.m.)

– Grand Avenue ramp 3-10:05 a.m.)

– Echo Park Avenue/Glendale Boulevard ramp (4-10:20 a.m.)

– Hollywood Boulevard ramp (3:55-11:40 a.m.)

– Gower Street (left turn lane) ramp (3:55-11:18 a.m.)

– Highland Avenue ramp (4 a.m.-noon)

Southbound 101 closures

– Temple Street ramp (3-10:05 a.m.)

– Broadway ramp (3-10:05 a.m.)

– Highland Avenue ramp (4:05-11:44 a.m.)

– Vine Street (right turn lane) ramp (3:55-11:18 a.m.)

– Gower Street (right turn lane) ramp (3:55-11:18 a.m.)

– Hollywood Boulevard ramp (3:55-11:18 a.m.)

Southbound 405 closures

– Santa Monica Boulevard (left lane) ramp (4:45 a.m.-2:50 p.m.)

– Wilshire Boulevard eastbound and westbound ramps (4:45 a.m.-3 p.m.)

The Streets

Street closures begin at 4 a.m. Sunday. The marathon’s course is closed to vehicular traffic for 6 hours and 30 minutes beginning after the last runner has crossed the start line at Dodger Stadium.

Street Closures

– 4-9 a.m.: Elysian Park Avenue — between Dodger Stadium and Sunset Boulevard- 4-9:20 a.m.: Sunset Boulevard — between Park Avenue and Figueroa Street- 4-9:32 a.m.: Cesar Chavez Avenue — between Bunker Hill and Alameda Street- 4-9:35 a.m.: Broadway — between Cesar Chavez Avenue and Alpine Street- 4-9:35 a.m.: Alpine Street — between Hill and Alameda streets- 4-9:35 a.m.: Spring Street — between College and First streets- 4-9:50 a.m.: First Street — between Hope and San Pedro streets- 4-9:50 a.m.: Los Angeles Street — between Temple and Fifth streets- 4-9:50 a.m.: Fourth Street — between Los Angeles and Main streets- 4-9:50 a.m.: Main Street — between Fifth and Temple streets- 4-9:50 a.m.: Third Street — between San Pedro and Hill streets- 4-9:50 a.m.: Hill Street — between Fourth and Temple streets- 4-10:05 a.m.: First Street — between San Pedro and Hope streets- 4-10:05 a.m.: Grand Avenue — between Cesar Chavez Avenue and Second Street- 4-10:20 a.m.: Temple Street — between Alameda Street and Glendale Boulevard- 4-10:20 a.m.: Edgeware Road — between Temple and Boston streets- 4-10:20 a.m.: Bellevue Avenue — between Sunset and Glendale boulevards- 4-10:40 a.m.: Glendale Boulevard — between Temple Street and Sunset Boulevard- 4-11:10 a.m.: Sunset Boulevard — between Echo Park and Virgil avenues- 4 a.m.-noon: Hollywood Boulevard — between Hillhurst and La Brea avenues- 4 a.m.-noon: Orange Avenue — between Hollywood and Sunset boulevards- 5 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Sunset Boulevard — between Highland Avenue and Doheny Drive- 5 a.m.-1 p.m.: San Vicente Boulevard — between Sunset Boulevard and Melrose Avenue- 5 a.m.-1 p.m.: Santa Monica Boulevard — between La Cienega Boulevard and Sierra Drive- 5 a.m.-1 p.m.: Doheny Drive — between Nemo Street and Wilshire Boulevard- 5 a.m.-1 p.m.: Burton Way — between Robertson Boulevard and Rexford Drive- 5 a.m.-1 p.m.: South Santa Monica Boulevard — between Rexford Drive and Moreno Boulevard- 5 a.m.-1 p.m.: Rodeo Drive — between Santa Monica and Wilshire boulevards- 5 a.m.-1 p.m.: Wilshire Boulevard — between Beverly Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard- 5 a.m.-6 p.m.: Santa Monica Boulevard (westbound and eastbound lanes) — between Wilshire and Sepulveda boulevards- 5 a.m.-2:45 p.m.: Sepulveda Boulevard — between Santa Monica and Wilshire boulevards- 5 a.m.-2:20 p.m.: Wilshire Boulevard (westbound and eastbound lanes) — between Sepulveda Boulevard and Barrington Avenue- 5 a.m.-5 p.m.: San Vicente Boulevard — between Wilshire Boulevard and Saltaire Avenue

For additional course closures and hours on March 16 in Century City, check this page: tinyurl.com/n3arthhd

– Avenue of the Stars between Santa Monica and Constellation boulevards.

– Santa Monica Boulevard (eastbound lanes early closure) between Avenue of the Stars and Century Park East

– Century Park East between Santa Monica and Constellation boulevards

– Century Park East between Constellation and Olympic boulevards

Local access street closures — but streets not on the course itself

For residents in local neighborhoods immediately affected in Los Angeles, Hollywood and West Hollywood, check information here: tinyurl.com/bdhz2c3u

Details for 2025 L.A. Marathon Road Closures: www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/road-closures/

West Hollywood 

Parking will be prohibited along the marathon route. No parking signs will be posted prior to the event. Spectators looking for parking during the marathon in West Hollywood will find a directory of municipal lots and parking structures online. Find parking options here: tinyurl.com/2p9hrh6v

Streets closures, from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m., in West Hollywood include

– Sunset Boulevard — the route enters the city of West Hollywood from the city of Los Angeles, moving west along Sunset Boulevard (closure on Sunset Boulevard between Marmont Lane and Clark Street/North San Vicente Boulevard)

– North San Vicente Boulevard (closure on North San Vicente Boulevard between Sunset Boulevard and Melrose Avenue)

– Santa Monica Boulevard (closure on Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and North Doheny Drive)

– North Doheny Drive (closure on North Doheny Drive between Santa Monica Boulevard and Beverly Boulevard)

– The marathon route exits the city of West Hollywood along North Doheny Drive at Beverly Boulevard to the city of Beverly Hills

For more information on West Hollywood: www.weho.org. Marathon information in West Hollywood: tinyurl.com/5553dhxz

Beverly Hills

The Beverly Hills segment of the marathon, miles 16-17, enters at Doheny Drive, and participants run west on Burton Way to Rodeo Drive, then south on Rodeo to Wilshire Boulevard, then west to Santa Monica Boulevard.

Streets closed from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Beverly Hills:

– Doheny Drive — between North Santa Monica Boulevard and Burton Way- Burton Way — between Doheny Drive and South Santa Monica Boulevard- South Santa Monica Boulevard — between Rexford and Rodeo drives- Rodeo Drive — between South Santa Monica and Wilshire boulevards- Wilshire Boulevard — between Rodeo Drive and South Santa Monica Boulevard- South Santa Monica Boulevard — between Wilshire Boulevard and Moreno Drive

Also, there will be a detour in effect until 5 p.m. March 16 on the western border of Beverly Hills at Wilshire and North Santa Monica boulevards and also at Moreno Drive and South Santa Monica Boulevard.

Beverly Hills Police Department and detour message boards will direct motorists around the route in the city: www.facebook.com/beverlyhillspd/

Updates posted on the city of Beverly Hills Facebook: www.facebook.com/CityofBevHills

For updates on street closures on race day itself, from 5 a.m.-2 p.m., call the City of Beverly Hills Hotline: 310-550-4680.

Details on the route in Beverly Hills, street closures and a map: https://beverlyhills.org/1562/Los-Angeles-Marathon

Finish Line for spectators

Family and friends of marathon participants and the public will be entertained musically by a DJ as they sit in the bleacher seating section or first-come, first-served seating on top of double decker Starline buses, from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Location, Santa Monica Boulevard at the corner of Avenue of the Stars, Century City.

Finish Line Festival

The L.A. Marathon’s official post-race event, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Location, Century Park, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City.

A beer garden, presented by Michelob Ultra, is open 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (minimum age: 21). Location, The Atrium (inside) at the Westfield Century City Mall. Entrances to the Mall: on Constellation Boulevard (between Century Park West and Avenue of the Stars) and on Avenue of the Stars (between Constellation and Santa Monica Boulevard).

Spectator parking includes the Century Park parking garage, 2049 Century Park East (parking garage is only accessible from westbound Olympic Avenue; check the map for details). More parking structure options here: www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/finish-line/

Details on the finish line area and maps: www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/finish-line/

Race 2025 results and photos will be posted here: www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/results/

Information on the 2025 LA Marathon: www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/

Check the L.A. Marathon’s “Race Weekend Overview” online booklet for detailed information: www.mccourtfoundation.org/event/los-angeles-marathon/race-weekend-overview/

​ Orange County Register 

Kings look to flex home-ice might against Nashville

• March 14, 2025

The Kings have turned a corner against top competition this season and now seek to springboard off some quality wins and their first truly tangible promise of home-ice advantage to start the playoffs, as they host the Nashville Predators on Saturday.

Last year, the Kings extracted only 15 victories from 39 matchups against the other 15 playoff qualifiers and won a paltry eight times in 23 contests versus the other seven Western Conference entrants. This time around, they’ve delivered 17 wins in 30 games when facing presently postseason-bound teams, and 10 of 16 against the West’s best. Though their home/road splits have been drastic against contenders (13-0-0 at home; four wins in 17 road games), they’ve upped their overall winning percentages from .385 against all playoff teams and .348 versus Western ones in 2023-24 to .567 and .625 in 2024-25.

“We’ve been doing a great job of embracing the challenges of playing these top teams all year. We get up for them and I think they bring out our best hockey,” said offseason trade acquisition Darcy Kuemper, who posted a shutout against the Eastern Conference’s most successful squad

That victory, the Kings’ fourth straight to give them an NHL-best 22-3-4 home mark, elevated them above their tormentors in recent seasons, the Edmonton Oilers, for second place in the Pacific Division. If their narrowest of leads were to hold, the Kings would likely host Edmonton in the first round after starting on the road in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Less than a week before the Kings were solidifying their designs on home ice, they were dangling just three points from plummeting from the playoffs completely, now seeing their way to being eight points clear of the second wild-card spot.

Offensively on Thursday, it was Kevin Fiala working his magic, first on the power play with a one-timer and then five-on-five as he set up Quinton Byfield, all in under 50 seconds. They were two players who began the year by disappointing, in terms of both production and consistency, but have flourished of late. Over the past two months, Fiala has 11 goals, 11 assists and 22 points in 23 games to lead the Kings. He and Byfield have played with Alex Laferriere and, at times, Adrian Kempe, with Byfield ranking second on the team in scoring in that two-month span (19 points from Jan 14 to March 14).

Fiala has had some push-and-pull dynamics with coaches in the past. Notably, he and Bruce Boudreau got off on the wrong foot in Minnesota for numerous reasons, including Boudreu’s aversion to the swap of Fiala for trusty Mikael Granlund. But by the end of Boudreau’s tenure, Fiala was the first person to text him after his dismissal and by the end of Fiala’s time in the Twin Cities, it was Boudreau positing how essential he was to the Wild’s attack.

Fiala, a complex, often emotional and always passionate-about-winning winger, experienced some friction with Kings coach Jim Hiller earlier this year, but now feels things are in a much better space.

“It took some time, but now we’re in the stage where we understand each other, we know each other and we believe in each other,” Fiala said. “Especially in the second half, there’s been a lot of belief in me, and there’s a lot of confidence right now.”

For Nashville, belief has been hard to come by as their Supermarket Sweepstakes of a summer ultimately left their cupboard more bare than it was last year, when a hungrier group made the playoffs. Now, their three cranks of the accelerator in free agency this season have moved the needle in the wrong direction.

The Preds entered a back-to-back set with the Ducks on Friday and Kings on Saturday as winners of four consecutive decisions, however, and even without top defenseman Roman Josi, who’s been out since Feb. 25 with an upper-body injury.

Nashville at Kings

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV/radio: KCAL (Ch. 9)

​ Orange County Register 

Yusei Kikuchi is solid on a bad day for Angels’ pitchers

• March 14, 2025

THE GAMES: Although Angels Opening Day starter Yusei Kikuchi had a good day, most of the other Angels pitchers who took the mound in their two games on Friday struggled, on the way to a 9-8 loss to the Kansas City Royals in Tempe, Arizona, and a 12-1 loss to the A’s in Mesa.

PITCHING REPORT: In Tempe, Kikuchi gave up one run in 4⅓ innings, with eight strikeouts. Kikuchi said he’s started to experiment with a sweeper this spring. “It’s a pitch I can keep in my back pocket,” Kikuchi said through his interpreter. “Just pick and choose different spots to use it.” Kikuchi said his final tuneup for the season will be in a minor-league game. … The Angels had a 7-1 lead when left-hander José Quijada entered in the sixth. Quijada gave up six runs while recording just one out. Quijada allowed three hits and walked two. … Right-hander Ben Joyce gave up one run. He had not allowed a run in his first four innings this spring. … In Mesa, left-hander Tyler Anderson gave up six runs in 3⅓ innings. Anderson was pulled with one out in the second inning. He returned to pitch the third and fourth. He faced the first three hitters of the fifth and didn’t retire anyone. … Right-hander Ryan Johnson gave up two runs in two innings. Johnson, who was drafted last year, had not allowed a run in his first five innings.

HITTING REPORT: In Tempe, Luis Rengifo hit a routine grounder to first and reached on an error, and he struck out. Rengifo, who played his first game after being out with hamstring tightness, did not have to run hard while he was on base. He went to second on a walk and then scored easily on Kevin Newman’s two-out double off the fence. … Jorge Soler hit a home run into the trees beyond the left-field fence, the third time this spring he’s done that. He’s hit four homers overall. Soler also doubled off the fence. Soler is 12 for 32 (.375) with an OPS of 1.272 this spring. … Mike Trout singled, driving in a run. He scored from first on Soler’s double. … J.D. Davis had a double, a single and a walk. Davis, who is competing for the final spot on the bench, is 9 for 32 (.281) with an .812 OPS this spring. … In Mesa, Nolan Schanuel had two hits. Schanuel is 10 for 33 (.303) this spring. … The Angels had only seven hits against the A’s.

DEFENSE REPORT: In Tempe, Rengifo played four uneventful innings at third. He did not have any plays. … Trout made a basket catch going toward the fence in right field, saving two runs.

UP NEXT: Angels (RHP Jack Kochanowicz) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (RHP Tobias Myers), Saturday, 1:10 p.m. PT, at Tempe Diablo Stadium, FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM

​ Orange County Register 

Greenland political parties join together against Trump comments about annexing the island

• March 14, 2025

LONDON (AP) — All five parties in Greenland’s parliament issued a joint statement on Friday rejecting President Donald Trump’s latest effort to take control of the strategic Arctic island.

The statement was issued by the leaders of all five parties that won seats in parliament in an election held earlier this week.

“We — all party chairmen — cannot accept the repeated statements on annexation and control of Greenland,” the statement said. “We, as party chairmen, find this conduct unacceptable to friends and allies in a defense alliance.”

Greenland is a self-governing region of Denmark, a NATO ally of the United States.

The party leaders released their statement after Trump reiterated his desire to take control of Greenland, which guards strategic air and sea routes through the Arctic.

During a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday, Trump was asked about his vision for annexing Greenland.

“Well, I think it’ll happen,” Trump responded.

He added “we’ve been dealing with Denmark. We’ve been dealing with Greenland. And we have to do it. We really need it for national security.”

Trump reminded his audience that the U.S. already has military bases in Greenland.

“Maybe you’ll see more and more soldiers go there,” he said. “I don’t know.”

Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede was even more outspoken than his parliamentary colleagues in rejecting Trump’s comments.

“Our country will never be the USA, and we Greenlanders will never be Americans,” he said on Facebook. “Greenland is one country. We are united.”

​ Orange County Register 

Chino Valley school board President Sonja Shaw to run for state superintendent of public instruction

• March 14, 2025

A Chino Valley school board member known for advancing conservative policies plans to run for statewide office in 2026.

Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District board, on Friday, March 14 launched her campaign for California state superintendent of public instruction, a nonpartisan office overseeing public schools in the nation’s most populous state.

In a text to the Southern California News Group, Shaw wrote: “California schools used to be the envy of the entire nation — yet today, despite a $130 billion budget, more than half of our kids fail to read and write at grade level.”

“I’m running for California State Superintendent to put parents back in charge of our children’s education, not the Sacramento politicians who created this mess. Enough is enough; our schools must refocus on preparing our kids for success, not pushing radical ideologies.”

Shaw was elected to the Chino Valley Unified School Board in 2022, she became board president in 2023 and remains in that role after the board changed its rotation policy last year.

She describes herself as a “soccer mom” spurred to action by COVID-19 policies that closed schools and required masks and vaccinations in the classroom.

“It started small — scribbling notes on index cards and commenting at school board meetings,” Shaw wrote on Facebook. “Then as I observed problem after problem, it grew into a fight against the radical ideologies forced on our kids over parents’ objections.”

Since taking office, Shaw spearheaded several efforts that made national news and landed the district in court, including a policy requiring schools to inform parents within three days if their child identifies as transgender.

Other Shaw-led policies include a ban on all non-U.S. or non-military flags in classrooms; LGBTQ+ advocates say it’s an indirect ban on pride flags. She also supported making it easier to take books with sexually explicit content off library shelves.

If elected to a four-year term, Shaw would replace Tony Thurmond, who has held the job since 2018 and is running as a Democrat for governor in 2026.

Shaw ejected Thurmond from a heated July 2023 school board meeting in which the board approved the transgender notification policy.

After that vote, other school districts, including Temecula, Murrieta and Orange, passed similar policies. The Chino Valley district is suing to block a 2024 state law that bans school districts from having transgender notification policies.

Shaw, who has appeared on GOP-friendly Fox News, faces an uphill battle in her quest for higher office. California, a blue state, hasn’t elected a Republican to statewide office since Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.

While the GOP has made inroads in California in recent years, Democrats continue to dominate state politics, holding a supermajority in the state legislature and 43 of 52 House of Representatives seats.

At least 10 other candidates have filed papers declaring their intent to run for state superintendent of public instruction, including former Inland Democratic state Sen. Connie Leyva.

California’s primary is June 2, 2026. The primary’s top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the November election.

​ Orange County Register 

Hip-hop artist Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs pleads not guilty ahead of May sex trafficking trial

• March 14, 2025

By LARRY NEUMEISTER

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs returned to federal court in New York City on Friday, pleading not guilty to the latest version of an indictment charging him with two decades of sex trafficking crimes.

The 55-year-old Combs, his beard noticeably grayer than even weeks ago, stood with his hands folded before him as he told Judge Arun Subramanian that he had read the indictment and understood the charges against him.

Combs, who has been held without bail since his September arrest, hugged two of his lawyers as he entered the courtroom.

Subramanian told lawyers that questionnaires will be distributed to hundreds of prospective jurors at the end of April so that questioning of would-be jurors can begin on May 5, with opening statements expected to occur on May 12.

According to the indictment, Combs used the “power and prestige” he wielded as a music mogul to intimidate, threaten and lure women into his orbit, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship.

The indictment said he then used force, threats and coercion to cause victims, including the three women, to engage in commercial sex acts.

It said he subjected his victims to violence, threats of violence, threats of financial and reputational harm and verbal abuse.

“On multiple occasions, Combs threw both objects and people, as well as hit, dragged, choked and shoved others,” it said. “On one occasion, Combs dangled a victim over an apartment balcony.”

Defense lawyers have argued that prosecutors were trying to demonize sex acts between consenting adults.

Part of the discussion in court Friday revolved around what will be allowed at the trial regarding a video that aired on CNN last year that showed Combs punching his former protege and girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, and throwing her on the floor in a hotel hallway.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Steiner said the video was “critical to the case.”

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said the video was “deceptive and not in accordance with the actions that took place.”

He said certain actions were speeded up in the video by as much as 50 percent and others were taken out of order.

“From the defense standpoint, it’s a misleading piece of evidence, a deceptive piece of evidence, a piece of evidence that has been changed,” he said.

Combs blew kisses and waved to family members in the gallery as he was led out of the courtroom by marshals.

​ Orange County Register 

Angels prospect Christian Moore ‘making strides’ at first big-league camp

• March 14, 2025

TEMPE, Ariz. — During the first week of big-league exhibition games, Christian Moore kept asking his teammates the same questions about pitchers he was facing.

“Is this guy good?” Moore asked.

He quickly got an answer that told him he didn’t need to keep asking.

“They’re all good,” Moore recalled hearing. “That was something that flipped a switch in my mind. When you come into a game, odds are everybody on the diamond is really good at their job. That’s why they’re here. That was something that definitely flipped for me.”

It’s been an eye-opening spring for Moore, the Angels’ top position player prospect. This time last year, Moore was just getting ready for the start of the Southeastern Conference schedule at Tennessee.

After he led the Volunteers to a College World Series title, Moore was picked by the Angels with the eighth selection in the draft. Because of the Angels’ quick promotion of prospects, questions began immediately about how soon Moore could reach the majors.

This spring has given the baseball world the best indication of just how close Moore, 22, is to being ready. Although he’s still in big-league camp and fighting for a job, he’s shown there is still some work to do.

Moore was 9 for 33 (.273) heading into Friday’s game, with one extra-base hit, a triple. He has struck out 13 times and walked six times.

Some of his best at-bats came early, including a two-strike hit to key a ninth-inning rally in the first game. He’s shown good plate discipline at times.

“What happened, that happens with young kids is his first week here, he was just letting it go,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Then he started thinking. He even started thinking in BP. See what I’m saying? That’s just youth, but the kid can outright swing the bat. … He’s fighting up there, but he’s seeing stuff and doing things that he’s never done before. He did it in college and then he did it in A-ball and Double-A, so he’s starting to see what the major leagues is like.”

Moore said one of the adjustments is seeing high fastballs.

“The high heater is something I definitely wanted to work on in the offseason, but that zone wasn’t real popular in college,” Moore said. “A lot of guys it was down, down, down. You might get a ball below the knees. I was able to handle that. Now it’s kind of flipping. I’m looking at the top of the zone. I’m working on that.”

On the defensive side, Moore has gone through the normal drills that Washington has for all his infielders. Every morning they go through a workout with Washington and infield coach Ryan Goins, even before the regular workout.

“It’s getting way better,” Moore said. “Looking back at highlights from college and looking at myself now, it’s night and day. I love the process and the progress I’m making. I never thought I’d be that good of a defender. I just always relied on my athletic ability. It’s beautiful when you put in the work. Things can happen.”

Washington said Moore’s defense is “making strides, and we’ve just got to make sure that continues.”

He had a rough game Tuesday. He made an error and misplayed two other balls that were ruled hits. After that game, Washington acknowledged the issues, but said he’s confident Moore is putting in the effort to get there.

Moore admits he’s got work to do, starting with the pregame drills.

“I want to get to the point where, whatever I do, I’m not missing anything,” Moore said. “I’m not there yet. I want to be there. I’m in great hands. Whatever happens, whether I’m here or I go back down to minor-league ball, I know I’m in great hands. I know whoever’s there can help me.”

The Angels had Moore work out at third base in instructional league in the fall, but since spring training has worked only at second. The plan was for him to get work at both spots, but the Angels decided to have him to stick to second, for now.

“He just needs more time on the field,” Washington said. “His natural spot is second, so we’ll keep him at second.”

As for his demeanor off the field, the Angels have been happy to see Moore came into the camp with the proper attitude. He hasn’t shown the entitlement that some top prospects have. His locker is between Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel, previous prospects who reached the majors quickly.

“I told him, just like I got told when I was a young kid, just keep open ears and a quiet mouth,” Neto said. “Hear and everything and don’t talk back. If you have questions, of course ask questions. The biggest thing is just to take in as much as you can, not only from me, but everybody else in this locker room and the coaches.”

RENGIFO UPDATE

Luis Rengifo, who has been working back from a hamstring issue, was in the lineup as the starting third baseman Friday. It was just the second big-league exhibition of the spring for Rengifo, who missed time earlier because of an illness.

Rengifo was scheduled to play four innings and bat two or three times.

The Angels had been getting Rengifo plenty of reps at the plate in the previous days, when he hit in minor-league games, without playing the field or running the bases.

Washington said Rengifo’s timing was off, but if he continued without any setbacks, he would have time to be ready for Opening Day.

NETO UPDATE

Neto stood in the box against Reid Detmers, José Suarez and Chase Silseth during their bullpen sessions Friday. Neto still hasn’t hit against live pitching, so this was simply to get him some preparation taking game-speed pitching.

He has been hitting off coaches in regular on-field batting practice.

“Swing is feeling really good,” Neto said. “Healthy. Just trying to get back to game-like swings.”

Defensively, Neto is throwing at a distance of 105 feet, which is just one step short of the 120 feet he needs to reach before he can make full throws from shortstop to first base. He’s been throwing from shortstop to second.

Neto, who had shoulder surgery in November, is expected to start the season on the injured list but be back sometime in April.

NOTES

Third baseman Yoán Moncada was a late scratch from Friday’s lineup because of thumb soreness. He had been scheduled to start in the home game, but when he was scratched, Rengifo was switched into the home lineup instead of the lineup for the game against the A’s in Mesa. …

The Angels have been using catchers Logan O’Hoppe and Travis d’Arnaud in the No. 2 spot in spring training, but Washington said that’s just so the catchers can get their at-bats quicker, without as many innings in the field. Washington said he’s leaning toward Taylor Ward in the leadoff spot, and Mike Trout and Jorge Soler at Nos. 3-4, but the second spot remains in question. Washington said he’d begin using his normal lineup around the middle of next week.

​ Orange County Register