San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan is running for State Assembly in AD-74

• March 1, 2023

San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan is running for a state assembly seat for the third time.

Duncan, a Democrat, launched a 2024 bid for California’s 74th Assembly District with an announcement on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The seat is currently held by Republican Laurie Davies, who pulled ahead of Duncan in the 2020 primary and defeated him in a rematch in the 2022 midterm election.

Duncan pledged to focus on making the cost of living more affordable for California’s middle-class families and pointed to his experience as mayor and federal prosecutor.

“I’m running to put the middle class first, lower costs for working families, and ensure all our children grow up safe with real opportunity,” he said in a statement. “From keeping costs and crime down as mayor of San Clemente to rooting out political corruption as a prosecutor, my life’s work has been fighting to keep the promise of the California Dream alive, and that’s exactly what I’ll fight for in the state Assembly.”

Duncan said Sacramento is currently failing at representing all Californians.

“Reducing the cost of tuition for college, housing costs, cutting taxes for the middle class, not the wealthy corporations, capping prescription drug costs, these are things that California can do for everyday folks,” he said.

“I want to give people hope in this difficult time that you can excel and live out your dreams as a middle class family,” Duncan added. “We need to get back to that by lowering costs and making California more affordable. That’s not getting done right now.”

The district spans south Orange County and north San Diego County and includes Dana Point, San Clemente and Oceanside.

Duncan is serving his third year on the San Clemente City Council and was appointed mayor in December by his colleagues. He previously worked as a senior attorney and prosecutor for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to his campaign website.

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Angels’ Shohei Ohtani ‘satisfied’ with spring debut on mound

• March 1, 2023

MESA, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to take the mound for two innings in his 2023 spring training pitching debut Tuesday afternoon but as with everything else in his major league career, he gave even more.

The Angels’ two-way star made his last appearance with the Angels before leaving for Japan in advance of World Baseball Classic play. He faced six batters through two innings and then faced two more bonus hitters in the third inning against the Oakland Athletics.

His final act on the mound was to hop in disbelief after his pitch to Ryan Noda was called out of the strike zone for a walk. He departed after a visit from Manager Phil Nevin, content after throwing 33 pitches with two walks, two strikeouts and no hits.

“This was the first real game this year so I wanted to ease in and try to hit around 95 (mph) and I was able to do that,” Ohtani said through an interpreter about his 1-2-3 first inning. “In the second inning, I would have really liked to hit 100, but (it was) 98. I was pretty satisfied with that.”

Using PitchCom himself and sending his pitch selections to catcher Logan O’Hoppe, instead of the other way around, Ohtani was looking for a way to get a jump on the new pitch clock. While doing so, he became even more difficult to take your eye off of while in constant motion.

His PitchCom device appeared to be on his upper left arm as he fidgeted with that side of his upper body between pitches, but when asked where it was located, he protected the information like a trade secret.

“It’s a good sign that you guys don’t know,” Ohtani said, first getting a laugh from Japanese reporters gathered around him, then another when his answer was translated into English.

If Tuesday’s Ohtani experience was anything, it was a sign that the star is at ease while at a critical juncture of his baseball career.

As arguably the world’s most popular baseball player, he now pivots toward baseball’s world tournament with a chance to bring more eyes to the WBC than ever before.

Ohtani also heads into a free-agent season as a once-in-a-generation two-way player who can hit and pitch at the highest of levels. He owns a combination of physical and mental tools the game has never seen.

Asked about the pitch clock, Ohtani said he felt rushed, but he wasn’t worried. Of course not.

“I think as long as I get games under my belt, I should be fine,” he said.

There won’t be a pitch clock at the WBC, but Ohtani might keep the quick pitch tempo anyway. Or maybe he won’t once game intensity starts.

“There is not really a point, but I will try to work a little bit faster,” he said. “I was glad I was able to get this under my belt to prepare for the season.”

He is expected to board a flight for Japan on Wednesday, then join his countrymen for what is projected to be a long WBC run. And while there, the player who is likely to land the richest contract in baseball history in free agency, will apparently not even be the best player in the clubhouse.

That was Ohtani’s claim anyway, according to none other than Mike Trout in a recent conversation between the two that probably was more WBC gamesmanship than anything.

So who is this star of all stars that will be on Team Japan?

“You’ll find out if you watch the games,” said Ohtani, the most watchable player of all.

BEHIND THE PLATE

Nevin said O’Hoppe being the catcher for Ohtani on Tuesday isn’t necessarily a sign of anything moving forward.

“Don’t read anything into this as Opening Day or anything like that,” Nevin said. “Trust me.”

Nevin said Ohtani’s history with Max Stassi would make it easy for the pair to resume a comfort level before the season starts. And Ohtani has a working relationship with Matt Thaiss as well.

“I want all three of them to be able to have some comfort level with him and really, in Shohei being comfortable with them,” Nevin said.

​ Orange County Register 

Freshman Mia Valbuena pitching ‘beyond’ expectations for Marina softball

• March 1, 2023

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Marina softball co-coach Dan Hay believed freshman pitcher Mia Valbuena would perform well but he wasn’t expecting domination right away.

Valbuena had others ideas.

The Vikings’ right-hander is off to a 6-0 start in the circle with five shutouts and an ERA of 0.21.

In consecutive starts last week, Valbuena struck out seven in a 2-0 victory against Millikan — the Division 2 runner-up last season — and fired an eight-inning no-hitter with 13 strikeouts in a 1-0 triumph against Mission Viejo, the reigning Division 2 champion.

Valbuena has 41 strikeouts in 34 innings and has walked only five.

“Mia is performing beyond our expectations as a freshman starter,” said Hay, who serves as co-coach with Shelly Luth. “Her no-hitter against Mission Viejo was very impressive. She definitely has a very bright future ahead of her.”

Marina (6-0) started the season No. 10 in the Orange County preseason poll and could be looking at a promotion after defeating No. 5 Mission Viejo.

Memorable doubleheader for Orange Lutheran

Orange Lutheran (2-1) defeated reigning Division 1 champion Roosevelt 4-3 and Great Oak 1-0 in a doubleheader at the Norco showcase last week.

“An exciting day for sure,” Lancers coach Steve Miklos said.

Two freshmen played key roles in the victory against Roosevelt. Peyton May earned the victory in the circle while Cate Medvitz tripled and drove in two runs

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.

In the Great Oak game, junior Brianne Weiss, a Notre Dame commit, struck out 15 and senior Makayla Motis drove in the only run.

NOTES

Catcher Kennedy Proctor is off to a fast start for Tesoro (5-2-1). The junior has three home runs in eight games for the Titans, the Division 3 runner-up last season. … The Dave Kops Tournament of Champions is March 9-11 in Bullhead City, Ariz.

​ Orange County Register 

Angels hammer Oakland bullpen in Cactus League win

• March 1, 2023

THE GAME: The Angels jumped on the Oakland Athletics’ bullpen for nine runs over a four-inning stretch and rolled to an 11-5 victory on Tuesday in Mesa, Ariz.

PITCHING REPORT: Shohei Ohtani not only delivered his two innings, as expected, but he picked up an extra two batters in the third inning to round out his day at his request, instead of reaching his targeted pitch count in the bullpen. Ohtani had a dominating seven-pitch first inning before he walked two of his last five batters. “The main goal today was to feel out all my pitches and I was able to accomplish that,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “I felt pretty good with all of them.” … Right-hander Luke Murphy picked up the rest of the third inning for Ohtani and recorded a ground out and a strikeout to the two batters he faced. … Left-hander Kenny Rosenberg and right-hander Jacob Webb each had a scoreless inning. … Right-hander Jonathan Holder gave up three runs on two hits (one home run) and two walks in two-thirds of an inning, while right-hander Chris Devenski gave up two runs on two hits in an inning.

HITTING REPORT: Logan O’Hoppe hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning and Jake Lamb hit a three-run shot into the bullpen in right field during the fifth. Lamb started at first base. “He’s really worked hard on the defensive side, and the swings have been good,” Manager Phil Nevin said of Lamb. “He’s gonna get a lot of opportunity too. Kind of joking with him, he’s kind of the road warrior right now. He’s going to be on the road for the next few days.” … Infield prospect Kyren Paris had a productive day with a two-run triple, a bases-loaded walk and a two-run double in the ninth inning for a five-RBI game. Kevin Padlo also had a double … The offense worked 13 walks, but also struck out 13 times.

DEFENSE REPORT: Shortstop Livan Soto helped Ohtani in the second inning, starting a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning after Oakland’s Jesus Aguilar walked. … Paris was not only impressive at the plate, but he backhanded a ball up the middle from second base and recorded the out at first base to end the sixth inning. … After Angels lefty Jake Kalish walked two batters in the ninth inning, third baseman Michael Stefanic started a 5-4-3 double play to end the game.

UP NEXT: Brewers at Angels, Wednesday, noon PT, Tempe Diablo Stadium, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

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​ Orange County Register 

Orange County Sheriff’s deputies foil attempted jail escape

• March 1, 2023

An Orange County inmate who tried to break out of jail was stopped before he could escape, deputies say.

Michael Johannes Palko, 31, was in custody at the Central Men’s Jail facility in Santa Ana, where he was booked for robbery in May 2021.

Palko had taken civilian clothes from the jail and attempted to exit through a “control area” near the front of the jail where employees enter the facility at around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department representative Carrie Braun.

It is unclear where Palko got the clothes from or how close he was to exiting the facility.

Deputies recognized Palko and returned him to his cell. No one was injured, and it is believed at this time that Palko was acting alone. All inmates were accounted for after a complete search of the facility.

RELATED COVERAGE: Inmate who escaped from Orange County jail sentenced to 20 years in prison

The last time inmates managed to escape from the Santa Ana facility was in January 2016, when three inmates got away by climbing through plumbing pipes.

An investigation into the attempted escape by the department’s Custody Intelligence Unit is ongoing.

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McCarthy defends giving Fox thousands of hours of J6 video

• March 1, 2023

By Lisa Mascaro and Farnoush Amiri | Associated Press

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is defending his decision to give Fox News’ Tucker Carlson “exclusive” access to Jan. 6 security footage of the Capitol attack, despite the conservative commentator’s own work raising false claims and conspiracy theories about the 2021 riot over Joe Biden’s election.

McCarthy vowed Tuesday to eventually make roughly 42,000 hours of sensitive Capitol Police security videos available to the broader public “as soon as possible,” but made it clear the Fox News commentator had first dibs. The Republican McCarthy is also supportive of giving access to some of the nearly 1,000 defendants being prosecuted for their roles in the siege.

Five people died in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack and its aftermath after then-President Donald Trump encouraged a mob of supporters to “fight like hell” as Congress was tallying the election results from the states.

“I don’t care what side of the issue you are on. That’s why I think putting it out all to the American public, you can see the truth. See exactly what transpired that day,” McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol.

“Have you ever had an exclusive? Because I see it on your networks all the time. So we have exclusive, then I’ll give it out to the entire country,” McCarthy said.

The speaker’s decision to release the mountains of police security footage has set off a firestorm at the Capitol over the way the images will be potentially used as a political tool to rewrite the history of what happened that deadly day. Fox News is facing new scrutiny in a separate court case over its airing of false claims about the 2020 election that Trump lost to Biden.

It’s also raising new concerns about sensitive security operations at the Capitol. While video from the Jan. 6 riot has already widely aired as part of the public hearings last summer by the House committee investigating the attack — including from the police cameras, documentarians like then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s daughter who filmed secret locations and even the rioters themselves — McCarthy is making available almost 42,000 hours of footage, three times what was first seen, from cameras stationed in all corners of the Capitol complex.

“We are deeply concerned that the release of footage related to the January 6 violent insurrection will reveal some security details that could create some challenges in terms of the safety and well being of everyone on the Capitol Complex,” said Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, the former chairman of the House Jan. 6 committee, said the panel went through a painstaking process to work closely with the U.S. Capitol Police to review and ultimately release approved segments of the surveillance footage as part of its public hearings.

“I’m supportive of a process, if this is true transparency, that would not compromise the integrity or the security of the Capitol,” the Mississippi Democrat said.

When McCarthy told fellow Republicans behind closed doors about his decision Tuesday, he was greeted with applause, according to a person who was familiar with the private conference meeting but unauthorized to speak about it publicly.

The speaker has had a rocky relationship with Carlson, who has been critical of McCarthy’s leadership, but the influential Fox News commentator ultimately stood down when the California Republican was battling to become House speaker in a dragged-out party vote earlier this year. It was seen as helping to boost McCarthy to the job.

McCarthy insisted he was taking measures to ensure security at the Capitol would not be jeopardized by the release, but declined to provide details — only to say that Carlson made it clear to the speaker’s team he did not want to show “exit routes” used by lawmakers or others.

Access to the footage will also be available to defendants who are facing charges over their alleged involvement in Jan. 6. McCarthy said defendants have had access before, but if it’s still needed, “We can supply that to them too.”

The House Administration Committee’s subcommittee on Oversight, which is chaired by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., is making accommodations for any attorneys representing defendants who have asked to view the footage, the person familiar with the situation said.

But the Republican leader has made it clear he is working to set the record as he sees it, and repeatedly complained that other media outlets, including CNN, already had received exclusives to show video last year, when Democrats held the majority in House.

McCarthy also suggested it was unfair that the Jan. 6 panel, which disbanded once Republicans took control of the House, released security video during the riot of former Vice President Mike Pence fleeing for safety as well as the GOP leader’s own staff scrambling to secure their office.

“It was disturbing to me that the January 6 committee would show the exit strategy of the vice president,” McCarthy told reporters Tuesday. “What I thought would be best is if the entire world and the country could see what transpired.”

Carlson has said that his producers have been on Capitol Hill since early February, poring over the footage after getting the “unfettered access” from McCarthy.

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The archive is a potential trove of the inner workings of the Capitol and includes the hideaways of lawmakers as well as the evacuation routes that Capitol Police used to usher leadership and rank-and-file members to safety. It also includes long moments of empty hallways where nothing is happening.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the release of tapes to Carlson was “despicable” and said he would not agree to release them to other media. “Security has to be the number one concern,” Schumer said.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell would not comment directly on McCarthy’s move, saying his only concern is the security of the Capitol.

Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

​ Orange County Register 

This Oscar season, Asian representation is ‘Everywhere’ as upstart indie is Academy front-runner

• March 1, 2023

“Everything Everywhere All At Once,” the universe-hopping film that celebrates diversity, family and humanity, has taken over Hollywood’s awards season.

The A24 film with a majority-Asian cast took home the top honors at the 29th annual Screen Actors Guild awards, including best motion picture ensemble performance. This year’s SAG Awards — which often predict winners at the Academy Awards, happening this year on March 12 — were held Sunday in Los Angeles and live-streamed online for the first time.

The latest award-season triumph completed a “guild trifecta” after the film snagged Directors Guild and Producers Guild honors, solidifying the film’s status as the front-runner for Oscar gold.

And these are just the latest plot turns for the three-hour multiverse, martial arts fantasy/family drama which, since it debuted a year ago at SXSW, has defied Hollywood logic. This anarchic indie allegory on the immigrant experience — saddled with a spare $14.3 budget and an out-there plot that defies high-concept marketing strategies — has snagged more than $100 million in global ticket sales and topped the traffic on streaming services.

“Every one of you knows the journey, the roller-coaster ride, the ups and downs,” said Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, whose career has run the gamut from martial-arts thrillers aacadmend dramas, to rom-coms. “This is not just for me, this is for every single girl that looks like me.”

At the SAG gala, Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, the film’s leads, became the first Asians to win in their respective categories. Yeoh won for best film lead actress for her role as Evelyn Wang, and Quan won for best supporting male actor.

The EEAAO Awards! https://t.co/tExoUrVrUw

— Dave Lu 呂曉龍 (@davelu) February 27, 2023

Holding back tears, Yeoh thanked her supporters and the thousands of media-industry members in the SAG-AFTRA union who vote on winners.

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“We are here because we love what we do. Thank you for giving me a seat at the table, because so many of us need this. We want to be seen, we want to be heard.”

Quan was the only male actor of color nominee in his category. “This moment no longer belongs to just me. It also belongs to everyone who has asked for change,” he shared in his acceptance speech “The landscape looks so different now than before.”

This year’s SAG film and television nominees featured many female actors of color, including “The Woman King” Viola Davis, Hong Chau from “The Whale,” Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe in Netflix’s “Blonde,” Danielle Deadwyler in “Till,” Angela Bassett in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Everything Everywhere’s” Stephanie Hsu, and Niecy Nash-Betts, who was in Netflix’s “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.”

Actress-producer Quinta Brunson and her castmates won best performance in a comedy series for the ABC sitcom “Abbott Elementary.”

I’m still teary about this moment… finally, a video I’m seeing in the community that doesn’t depict violence towards an Asian elder… but a standing ovation. https://t.co/qamf2CSzY1

— trishofthetrade everywhere (@trishofthetrade) February 27, 2023

But it was the final speech of the night from James Hong, considered a trailblazer in Hollywood, that blew audiences away. The “Everything Everywhere” actor called out ongoing racism in the industry, including harmful white-washing and the use of “yellowface,” and championed more authentic Asian representation on and off-screen.

Hong, 94, said that he began his decades-long career in a 1937 film with Clark Gable.

“The leading role was played by these guys with their eyes taped up… the producer said the Asians were not good enough, and they are not box office-[worthy],” Hong said in the final acceptance speech of the night. “But look at us now!”

Related links

SAG Awards 2023: Oscar bellwether nominates ‘Fabelmans’ ‘Banshees,’ ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’
Oscar nominations show both progress and regression for diversity
‘Everything Everywhere’ tops Oscar nominations with 11
Academy Awards: Hollywood talks a lot about diversity but do they follow up?
These brothers kick, jump, punch and crack you up in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’

SAG-AFTRA union member Quincy Surasmith runs the “Asian Americana” podcast, and voted in this year’s awards. Surasmith, an actor, that he was proud that the A24 film “got to sweep.” He recognized his “acting heroes” Quan and Hong who, with these diverse films, get to portray themselves in their full Asian identity.

But he challenged awards shows — which for decades have recognized more white men in Hollywood — and the organizing bodies that decide on them.

“It’s not these individual wins that make people suddenly care about us (artists of color). It’s more about when and how do we get a chance to tell our perspectives and stories, and who gets to create and share those stories, or even have a chance to be nominated for these things,” Surasmith said. “I don’t think we celebrate diversity from the exception; we get to celebrate it when it becomes the norm. We ‘make it’ in Hollywood when we all make it.”

​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers held to four hits in loss to Reds

• March 1, 2023

THE GAME: The Dodgers managed just four hits in a 7-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday afternoon at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.

PITCHING REPORT: Left-hander Julio Urias went 2⅔ innings, going deeper than usual in his first start of the spring as he prepares to pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Urias gave up two singles and struck out four of the last five batters he faced. He was charged with a run when Justin Hagenman replaced him and gave up an RBI double. … Noah Syndergaard also made his spring debut, pitching two scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and struck out. His fastball velocity was mostly 91-92 mph though he did touch 93 mph in his second inning. … Right-hander Jordan Yamamoto gave up three runs including a home run to Nick Solak while retiring just one of the four batters he faced in the eighth inning. … The Reds scored three times in the ninth off left-hander Bryan Hudson as well.

HITTING REPORT: Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas had the Dodgers’ hits, both singles. Andy Pages drove in their only run with an RBI single. Bradley Zimmer’s ninth-inning double was the Dodgers’ last hit of the game.

DEFENSE REPORT: The Reds were successful on four stolen base attempts, three with Austin Barnes at catcher and one with Diego Cartaya behind the plate.

UP NEXT: Dodgers (RHP Dustin May) vs. Rangers (LHP Andrew Heaney), Wednesday, 12:05 p.m., at Surprise Stadium, SportsNet LA, 570 AM

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