DENVER — 

The situation was desperate, almost as desperate as the catch was absurd.

At least to everyone, apparently, but the man who authored the grab.

“I’ve made catches like that before,” Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams said. “So, I mean, it was routine.”

As routine as any one-handed catch over a flailing defender for a 38-yard gain to convert fourth and 11 in a three-point game with two minutes to go.

Ah, OK.

“One of the best catches I’ve ever seen,” teammate Keenan Allen said. “It was quite a visual.”

Said running back Melvin Gordon: “I’m not shocked. That’s what he does. He did it in college, probably in high school too. That’s what he does.”

The Chargers were clinging to possibly their final hope when they faced fourth and one at their 34-yard line with 2:22 remaining. They trailed Denver 20-17.

Then, left guard Dan Feeney was called for a false start. Then, left tackle Russell Okung was called for a false start.

The situation deteriorated to fourth and 11 by the time Williams took off on a route up the left sideline. And things actually would get more desperate. About 15 yards in, Williams stumbled and nearly fell.

Afterward, he explained that Denver cornerback Isaac Yiadom inadvertently helped him stay up.

“He reached out and put his hands on me,” Williams said. “I appreciate him for that.”

Quarterback Philip Rivers, as has become a custom with this offense, lofted the ball in the direction of Williams hoping for the best.

Yiadom was on Williams tightly, with Broncos strong safety Kareem Jackson also closing.

“Once he threw it, I was, ‘Oh, damn,’ ” Allen said. “Two people were there. It was trouble. He somehow made the catch. I was yelling at [Denver cornerback] Chris Harris, ‘We back!’ Crazy catch, though.”

Williams secured the ball with his outstretched left hand and wrestled away possession with Yiadom also clutching it as both fell. The play gave the Chargers the ball at the Denver 38-yard line as the two-minute warning arrived.

“It was fourth and 11,” Williams said, matter of factly. “Make a play. Phil threw the ball to me. I had to make a play on it.”

Four plays later, Michael Badgley kicked a 46-yard field goal to tie the score 20-20. With 14 seconds left, the Chargers appeared to be going to overtime, at worst.

“After Mike made that catch, I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, we’re for sure winning now,’ ” Gordon said. “I liked our chances then.”

But a costly pass interference call doomed the Chargers to another gut-wrenching loss.

Williams finished with 117 yards on five receptions, his second career 100-yard game. He also had a 52-yard catch to set up an Austin Ekeler touchdown reception late in the first half.

Allen sky high

Allen had one of the more visually stunning touchdowns of his career early in the fourth quarter when he went skyward to reach the end zone.

At the end of a 36-yard scoring play, Allen attempted to leap over Denver safety Will Parks. He didn’t quite make it but still secured the six points as he crash landed.

“It was just me and him,” Allen said. “I really didn’t want contact, to be honest with you. … I like to stay on my feet. I just wanted to get in.”

The play was one Allen suggested to the coaching staff based on something he had seen in the game. Trailing 17-10, offensive coordinator Shane Steichen took Allen’s advice.

“He dialed it up,” Allen said. “Perfect timing. They gave us the perfect defense and me and Phil were able to connect.”

Safeties return

All-Pro safety Derwin James made his season debut, finishing with four tackles, including one for loss. Fellow safety Adrian Phillips also returned after being out since breaking his arm in Week 2. He was credited with four tackles.

The offensive line also received a boost with starting tackles Okung and Sam Tevi coming back.

“We had a great chance, getting so many guys back,” Gordon said. “But it wasn’t enough.”

Rivers got flowing

After another rocky start, Rivers rebounded to finish 20 for 29 for 265 yards and the touchdowns to Ekeler and Allen.

Coming off back-to-back games in which he threw seven interceptions, Rivers was picked off in the first quarter when he tried to find Ekeler on a screen pass but instead hit Denver rookie defensive end Dre’Mont Jones.

Six plays later, the Broncos scored their second touchdown to go up 14-0.

“He didn’t start out well, but I thought he finished strong,” coach Anthony Lynn said. “I thought he put us in a position to win the game at the end.”

After the interception, backup Tyrod Taylor was warming up on the sideline, but Lynn afterward dismissed that as Taylor simply trying to stay loose.

Etc.

The Chargers’ issues with punt returns continued when a Troymaine Pope muff set up a second-quarter Broncos field goal. … Brandon Facyson started in place of suspended cornerback Michael Davis and led the Chargers with nine tackles. Rookie linebacker Drue Tranquill had seven tackles.

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Montrezl Harrell furrowed his brow and puffed out his lower lip as he pondered the question. When the Clippers are scoring like they did in a 150-125 rout of the Washington Wizards on Sunday night at Staples Center with 73 points coming from the bench, what can the team accomplish?

“It’s unlimited, really,” the 6-foot-7 forward replied.

Playing against one of the NBA’s worst defenses, the Clippers (15-6) received big nights from stars Kawhi Leonard (34 points) and Paul George (31 points), but also used a team effort to flirt with the franchise record for points in a game. With Harrell and guard Lou Williams scoring 23 and 22 off the bench, respectively, the Clippers fell two points short of tying the franchise record of 152 in a game.

Harrell added a career-high 15 rebounds to become the first player in franchise history with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds off the bench, while Williams had eight assists, his third consecutive game with seven or more. The Clippers’ bench entered the game already leading the NBA in scoring at 52.4 points per game.

Williams said the additions of Leonard and George in the offseason gave the Clippers several highly skilled offensive players who are used to having the ball in their hands. As a result, he accepted the need to “take a back seat.”

The 15th-year pro is happy to step back from the spotlight if it helps the Clippers, who have won eight of their last nine games, move up in the standings.

“I’m a bench player. I never lose track of who I am and what I bring to the table for this basketball team,” Williams said. “I’m at the point in my career when winning is really important to me. I do enjoy scoring the basketball, I do enjoy doing my thing on the floor, but I enjoy winning more than all of that.”

The Clippers excelled against the injury-hampered Wizards (6-12), who have accepted their defensive shortcomings in exchange for potential offensive fireworks. Washington entered Sunday’s matchup with the NBA’s worst defensive rating while ranking fourth in offensive rating. But even a career-high 30 points from rookie forward Rui Hachimura weren’t enough to contend with the Clippers’ all-around firepower.

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Highlights from the Clippers’ win over the Washington Wizards at Staples Center on Sunday.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers said his team is far more advanced on defense than on offense at this point, in part because of limited practice time with new players.

Because of the team’s busy schedule, which hasn’t included back-to-back days off from games since early November, George and Leonard have yet to even practice together on the same team since George returned from his shoulder injuries.

Williams stopped short of calling the Clippers’ offense “special,” as one reporter suggested it is after the team scored 150 points for the second time this season, because the veteran knows the team isn’t close to its full potential yet.

“We’re still building and still growing and figuring everything out,” Williams said, “but every once in a while, you kind of see glimpses of it when everybody’s on the same page like tonight.”

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we say goodbye to Del Mar this year and await Los Alamitos on Friday.

Stewards’ rulings

We’re back with more rulings here on the conclusion of a long holiday weekend, although the rulings are from earlier.

–Trainer Jerry Wallace was fined $5,000 after his horse Fast Cotton tested positive for Dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory, on May 19 after running in the sixth race at Santa Anita. The horse won the race and was claimed by Hector Palma. On Aug. 8, he was claimed by Brian Koriner. On Sept. 21, he was claimed by Doug O’Neill. It was Wallace’s fourth drug violation in the last 365 days. He was also cited on July 27 for Dexamethasone at Los Alamitos, March 29 for Betamethasone at Los Alamitos and Sept. 16, 2018 for Dexamethasone at Los Alamitos. He was also cited on Jan. 1, 2016 for an excess of Dexamethasone at Santa Anita. (Note: These are the dates of the rulings, not the violations.)

–Jockey Evan Roman was fined $300 for using his riding crop after his horse, Showem Apollo, had reached his maximum placing. The horse finished seventh in the seven horse first race on Nov. 10 at Del Mar. Roman said that his horse was a 2-year-old and he was teaching him how to run. Roman said he couldn’t urge him through the stretch without using his riding crop. The stewards disagreed.

–Trainer Richard Mandella was fined $400 for failing to register his horse Night On the Town as a bleeder before the horse was to run in the sixth race on Nov. 16. The filly was a stewards scratch. Mandella accepted responsibility.

–Trainer Richard Baltas was fined $200 for failing to bring Lady Ninja on time to the receiving barn before the fourth race on Nov. 2, the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Lady Ninja finished eighth. Baltas brought his assistant Amy Dollase to the hearing and she said the PA system wasn’t working. The stewards said the trainer should know what time the horse should be in the receiving barn.

–Jockey Norberto Arroyo, Jr. dropped his appeal on two separate suspensions. In two separate rulings, the stewards suspended him first for Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1, 26, 27, 28 and 29. And then again, Jan. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 17, 2020.

Free online magazine

I’ve mentioned this in the past but Larry Simpson puts out an online magazine called Ponies 24-7, and it’s free. It not only covers thoroughbreds but also harness racing, which we don’t cover in this newsletter. This month’s issue features actress Eva La Rue, who can be seen around Santa Anita and Del Mar every once in a while. To see it, just click here.

Del Mar review

The final day of Del Mar’s fall season went off well, so, let’s get right to the results.

Grade 3 $100,000 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes. This race for 2-year-olds running a mile on the turf really was a one-horse show as 15-1 longshot Smooth Like Strait broke on top and held that position all the way around winning by 2 1/2 lengths. It was his second win in four starts.

Smooth Like Strait paid $33.20, $16.20 and $14.20. Goliad was second and Last Opportunity finished third.

Here’s what the winning connections had to say.

Mike McCarthy (winning trainer): “He had a good work at Del Mar this summer before he ran on Pacific Classic day on the dirt and just spun his wheels. It was always in the back of my mind to try him on the grass because he acts like a grass horse. Obviously, [Sunday] he was able to get himself on an easy lead, put them to sleep and the rest is history.”

Geovanni Franco (winning jockey): “He ran well. He showed he could handle the distance nicely. Mike [McCarthy] has done a nice job with him, moving him up and along nicely. He handled this course fine [Sunday]. I think the rain was good for it. For the dirt track, too. They both seem to be very good right now. The winner is a nice colt. He may be ready now to step up and win some other really good races.”

Grade 2 $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup. Oscar Dominguez, the horse, went from last to first to win this 1 1/2-mile turf race by a neck. As usually happens in these long races, there was a slow early pace and Oscar Dominguez was able to bide his time near the back. He entered a tightly bunched group in seventh entering the stretch and went four-wide to gain the victory.

Oscar Dominguez paid $24.20, $7.40 and $5.00. United, the favorite, was second and Ward’n Jerry finished third.

Here’s what the winning connections had to say.

Richard Baltas (winning trainer): “Hall of Fame ride. This means a lot. We claimed the horse for $40,000 and he’s been overachieving the whole time we’ve had him. Today there was enough pace for him to run at, John [Velazquez] was here to ride him and everything worked out.

John Velasquez (winning jockey): “No special instructions from the trainer. He said ‘You’ve seen the PPs, you know how to ride, go do it.’ That’s how I like it. He came away from there well and the pace was fine. He was comfortable, so I left him alone. When we hit the three-eighths [pole] we squeezed between two horses and then he took it. It sure is nice when they do that.”

Grade 1 $300,000 Matriarch Stakes: Got Stormy, a shipper for Mark Casse, only won by three-quarters of a length but her win was never in doubt when she hit the stretch in this one-mile turf race for fillies and mares.

Got Stormy finished the race in 1:34.24, which was the fastest time since this race moved from Hollywood Park to Del Mar in 2014. Got Stormy paid $4.80, $3.20 and $2.40. Daddy Is a Legend was second and Juliet Foxtrot finished third.

Here’s what the winning connections had to say.

Mark Casse (winning trainer): “She’s amazing. Put her on a van, put her on a plane, she just goes wherever and runs. We kept hearing that she’d only won one Grade I, so we had to fix that. She’s been through a lot in the last month but she just keeps fighting. You don’t get a lot like her. She’ll definitely stay in training next year.”

Tyler Gaffalione (winning jockey): “Funny, I told Mark [Casse] in the paddock: ‘I think this race might set up just like the Fourstardave [at Saratoga on August 10 where she came from well back to win easily]. And if it does, we’ll win.’ Sure enough, it was exactly like that race. Perfect. She just sat back there nice and relaxed and then when it came time she was gone.”

In other news: Baltas won the trainers title with 11 wins during the abbreviated meet. “Every year I get a little bit better horses to train,” Baltas said. “My clients have been backing me and I have a good team working for me. I’ve been second or third and had good meets. This year I just had a little bit better numbers and a little bit more quality of horses. It means a lot.”

Abel Cedillo was the top jockey with 13 wins beating Drayden Van Dyke, who had 12.

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth $100,000 on Sunday. (Note: The final five races at Aqueduct, including the Grade 3, were canceled when the jockeys refused to ride because of icy conditions.)

Churchill (6): $105,000 allowance optional claimer, 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Seven Trumpets ($8.40)

Del Mar (3): Grade 3 $100,000 Cecille B. DeMille Stakes, 2-year-olds, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Smooth Like Strait ($33.20)

Del Mar (5): Grade 2 $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes, 3 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Winner: Oscar Dominguez ($24.20)

Del Mar (7): Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile on the turf. Winner: Got Stormy ($4.80)

Final thought

Always looking to add more subscribers to this newsletter. Can’t beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you don’t like it, then you’re probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up. Remember, it’s free, and all we need is your email, nothing more.

Any thoughts, you can reach me at [email protected]. You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

Now, here’s the star of the show, Sunday’s results. We’ll see you on Friday.

Del Mar Charts Results for Sunday, December 1.

Copyright 2019 by Equibase Company. Reproduction prohibited. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California. All finishes confirmed by Plusmic USA. Official program numbers may not correspond with post position. 15th day of a 15-day meet. Clear & Firm

FIRST RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 23.32 47.79 1:11.16 1:22.88 1:35.12

Winner–Wound Tight B.g.4 by Coil out of Bellsblade, by Mr. Broad Blade. Bred by Matt Nelson (CA). Trainer: Robert B. Hess, Jr.. Owner: Matt Nelson. Mutuel Pool $232,971 Exacta Pool $145,783 Quinella Pool $6,423 Superfecta Pool $54,738 Trifecta Pool $84,063. Scratched–Hermaphrodite (FR), Play Money, Storm the Bastille (FR).

WOUND TIGHT sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, responded when challenged on the backstretch, inched away again on the second turn, fought back when headed in midstretch and gamely prevailed under urging. BIG RUNNUER stalked inside then a bit off the rail, went three deep into the second turn, bid outside the winner to put a head in front in midstretch but was outgamed late. THREE AY EM stalked a bit off the rail, bid between horses on the backstretch, tracked the winner inside on the second turn, came out a bit in the stretch and held third. MUSAWAAT (GB) angled in and settled outside a rival, went three deep on the second turn and into the stretch and bested the others. FARQUHAR chased three deep then outside a rival on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and had a mild late bid. BATTLE OF MEMPHIS (IRE) was in a good position chasing the pace outside a rival, came out into the stretch and could not summon the necessary late kick. CHANNEL CROSSING stalked outside a rival, bid three deep on the backstretch, angled in alongside a foe on the second turn and lacked the needed response in the drive. COLOSI a bit washy at the gate, saved ground off the pace, came out some into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. CAPTIVATE broke a bit slowly, chased between horses or outside a rival to the stretch and did not rally. CUPID’S CLAWS saved ground off the pace, continued inside into the stretch and lacked the needed response. SOUL BEAM angled in and stalked the pace inside, cut the corner into the stretch and did not rally.

SECOND RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Time 22.10 45.18 57.56 1:10.67

Winner–Miss Stormy D B.f.3 by Tapizar out of Miss Relentless, by Mr. Greeley. Bred by Lantern Hill Farm LLC, Phil Needham &Judy Needham (KY). Trainer: Carla Gaines. Owner: Keith Brackpool. Mutuel Pool $208,017 Daily Double Pool $43,284 Exacta Pool $96,782 Quinella Pool $3,984 Trifecta Pool $64,433. Scratched–Exchange West.

MISS STORMY D had good early speed and dueled inside, gained the advantage in upper stretch, inched away under some urging in midstretch and won clear. SUNNY DALE dueled between horses then outside the winner, fought back in upper stretch, could not match that one in the final furlong but was clearly second best. MISS TOKYO prompted the pace three deep then stalked off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and held third. SURREPTITIOUS chased off the rail, angled in some on the turn, came out into the stretch and weakened. TOO HOT FOR CURLIN dropped back inside and saved ground off the pace and lacked a response in the drive.

THIRD RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $100,000. ‘Cecil B. DeMille Stakes’. 2 year olds. Time 22.91 47.99 1:12.48 1:24.69 1:36.02

Winner–Smooth Like Strait B.c.2 by Midnight Lute out of Smooth as Usual, by Flower Alley. Bred by Cannon Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY). Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy. Owner: Cannon Thoroughbreds, LLC. Mutuel Pool $392,560 Daily Double Pool $38,582 Exacta Pool $246,378 Quinella Pool $7,217 Superfecta Pool $106,937 Trifecta Pool $162,025. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (3-2-11) paid $308.80. Pick Three Pool $103,165.

SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT sped between horses to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside then a bit off the rail, kicked away under some urging in the stretch and won clear under steady handling. GOLIAD stalked outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch and outfinished foes for the place. LAST OPPORTUNITY (IRE) broke slowly, angled in and settled outside a rival then between horses into and on the second turn, came out some in the stretch and rallied between horses. HIT THE ROAD dropped back and saved ground off the pace, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and finished well. LIAR LIAR (IRE) chased outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch and was edged for the show. ALBERT PARK saved ground chasing the pace, continued insider in the drive and lacked the needed rally. ENCODER chased along the inside, came out into the stretch and could not quite summon the necessary response. GO TIME angled in and stalked outside a rival, came out into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. HARIBOUX (GB) pulled between horses then chased outside a rival or between foes, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. FORE LEFT angled in and stalked inside, came out into the stretch then angled back in and weakened in the final furlong. KANDEREL saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside in the stretch and did not rally. MIDNIGHT JOSTAR angled in and chased outside a rival then a bit off the rail on the second turn and lacked the necessary response in the drive. WAR BEAST chased three deep, continued outside on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked a response in the drive. HAND TIMED.

FOURTH RACE.

6½ Furlongs. Purse: $55,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $62,500. Time 22.50 45.59 1:10.67 1:17.24

Winner–Horse Greedy Dbb.g.6 by Horse Greeley out of Southern Breeze, by General Royal. Bred by Pope McLean, Pope McLean Jr & MarcMcLean (KY). Trainer: John W. Sadler. Owner: Hronis Racing LLC. Mutuel Pool $228,185 Daily Double Pool $37,408 Exacta Pool $101,675 Quinella Pool $3,657 Trifecta Pool $79,917. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (2-11-4) paid $774.95. Pick Three Pool $41,490.

HORSE GREEDY prompted the pace three deep between foes, stalked on the turn, came three wide into the stretch, re-bid three wide under left handed urging past the eighth pole and gamely prevailed late. MUCH BETTER sped to the early lead, dueled inside foes but a bit off the rail, inched away on the turn, came out a bit into the stretch, fought back between horses past midstretch and to the wire. CALIFORNIA STREET saved ground chasing the pace, inched forward leaving the turn, bid along the rail past midstretch and continued willingly late. LIL MILO pressed the pace four wide then stalked off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. INSTAGRAND dueled between horses then stalked a bit off the rail on the turn, continued outside a rival into the stretch and weakened.

FIFTH RACE.

1½ Mile Turf. Purse: $200,000. ‘Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes’. 3 year olds and up. Time 23.68 48.65 1:13.43 1:38.83 2:03.79 2:28.17

Winner–Oscar Dominguez (IRE) Ch.g.6 by Zoffany (IRE) out of American Queen (FR), by Fairy King. Bred by Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE). Trainer: Richard Baltas. Owner: Messineo, Nancy and Sands, Bruce. Mutuel Pool $420,257 Daily Double Pool $59,415 Exacta Pool $227,011 Quinella Pool $8,070 Superfecta Pool $112,823 Trifecta Pool $160,074. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (11-4-7) paid $1,597.95. Pick Three Pool $146,674. 50-Cent Pick Four (2-11-4-7) 4 correct paid $11,713.30. Pick Four Pool $276,277. 50-Cent Pick Five (3/9/11/14-2-11-4-7) 5 correct paid $31,048.75. Pick Five Pool $794,416.

OSCAR DOMINGUEZ (IRE) angled in and settled inside then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, came out on the final turn and four wide into the stretch and rallied under urging to get up late. UNITED angled in outside a rival then tugged between horses in the first stretch, chased three deep, came six wide into the stretch and finished well. WARD ‘N JERRY saved ground chasing the pace, split rivals in tight leaving the final turn, came three wide into the stretch, bid between rivals past midstretch to gain a slim advantage in deep stretch and continued gamely. CLEOPATRA’S STRIKE stalked the pace a bit off the rail then between horses, came four wide into the stretch and finished with interest. CHOSEN VESSEL stalked three deep then outside a rival, bid between foes on the middle turn then dueled outside a rival, inched away and angled in on the final turn, continued inside in the stretch and was overtaken late. BROWN STORM (CHI) pulled along the inside stalking the pace, came out for room into the stretch and was outfinished. HIGH PROMISE stalked between horses, continued between foes in the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. ITSINTHEPOST (FR) chased outside, went four wide on the last turn and five wide into the stretch, drifted in and lacked the necessary response. OVERDUE stalked outside then bid three deep into the middle turn, tracked again on the backstretch and last turn, bid again alongside a rival into the stretch, was between foes in midstretch and weakened late. ZESTFUL dueled between horses then outside a rival, inched away in the stretch the first time, set the pace inside, dueled along the rail into the middle turn and on the backstretch, fell back leaving the final turn and weakened.

SIXTH RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $22,000. Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $12,500-$10,500. Time 23.60 47.76 1:13.35 1:26.51 1:39.79

Winner–Check Six Dbb.f.4 by Papa Clem out of Mz. Winjum, by Yes It’s True. Bred by Jim Robinson & Robert Bone (CA). Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer. Owner: Hollendorfer, LLC and Todaro, George. Mutuel Pool $265,546 Daily Double Pool $35,754 Exacta Pool $127,228 Quinella Pool $5,422 Superfecta Pool $56,455 Trifecta Pool $98,596. Claimed–Big Base by Jerry Hollendorfer. Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer. Claimed–Tiz Toffee by Rosemary Trela. Trainer: Rosemary Trela. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (4-7-1) paid $615.10. Pick Three Pool $115,331.

CHECK SIX came off the rail early and stalked outside a rival or off the inside, bid between horses in the stretch and gamely prevailed under left handed urging. BIG BASE stalked outside then alongside a rival, came three wide into the stretch, bid three deep to put a head in front in the lane and continued gamely to the end. TIZ TOFFEE sped to the early lead, set the pace off the rail then dueled outside a rival, inched away inside on the second turn, fought back just off the fence in the stretch and held third. ROAD TEST stalked off the rail, angled din leaving the second turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. CEE SAM’S GIRL settled inside then off the rail on the backstretch, came three deep into the stretch and lacked a response in the lane. TIKI BAR LOGIC stalked inside, bid along the rail on the backstretch, dropped back inside on the second turn, gave way and was eased in the stretch.

SEVENTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $300,000. ‘Matriarch Stakes’. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Time 22.55 45.55 1:10.18 1:22.30 1:34.24

Winner–Got Stormy Ch.f.4 by Get Stormy out of Super Phoebe, by Malabar Gold. Bred by Mt. Joy Stables, Pope McLean, MarcMcLean & Pope McLean Jr. (KY). Trainer: Mark E. Casse. Owner: Gary Barber. Mutuel Pool $778,008 Daily Double Pool $56,452 Exacta Pool $371,989 Quinella Pool $9,682 Superfecta Pool $162,277 Trifecta Pool $235,475. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (7-1-7) paid $304.55. Pick Three Pool $119,777.

GOT STORMY chased outside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch, bid outside a rival to gain the lead past the eighth pole, drifted in under urging, inched clear in deep stretch and held. DADDY IS A LEGEND squeezed just after the start, settled a bit off the rail. split horses on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and finished well. JULIET FOXTROT (GB) stalked three deep then outside a rival, bid three wide leaving the second turn, took the lead into the stretch, fought back off the rail in midstretch and held third. TOINETTE chased between horses then inside, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and bested the others. STORM THE HILL stalked inside then a bit off the rail, bid between horses leaving the second turn to put a head in front, continued off the inside in midstretch and weakened late. SIMPLY BREATHLESS (GB) chased three deep, came five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SIGNIFICANT FORM stalked inside then off the rail, went three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. GIZA GODDESS angled in and stalked outside a rival then between foes into and on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. MUCHO UNUSUAL pulled between horses early, angled in and stalked inside, continued along the rail on the second turn and into the stretch and also weakened. LAKERBALL settled off the pace inside, saved ground to the stretch and lacked a rally. PAINTING CORNERS sped between horses to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail then inside, fought back briefly leaving the second turn, came out into the stretch and weakened.

EIGHTH RACE.

5½ Furlongs. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. 2 year olds. Time 21.96 45.98 58.23 1:04.58

Winner–Summer Fire Dbb.c.2 by Creative Cause out of Victoria’s On Fire, by Langfuhr. Bred by Heinz J. Steinmann (CA). Trainer: Robert B. Hess, Jr.. Owner: Anderson, Robert, Hale, Jr., Richard, Lambert, Jeffrey, Melen, Steve, Rodriguez, Larry, Smith, Virgi. Mutuel Pool $368,664 Daily Double Pool $50,771 Exacta Pool $229,604 Quinella Pool $7,080 Superfecta Pool $97,939 Trifecta Pool $140,191. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (1-7-6) paid $64.10. Pick Three Pool $82,041.

SUMMER FIRE between horses early, stalked a bit off the rail then inside, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch, bid three deep in midstretch, gained the lead under some urging and proved best. ROOKIE MISTAKE stalked four wide then bid three deep on the turn and into the stretch, fought back between horses in midstretch and held second. CHIPPER squeezed some at the start, chased off the rail then four wide on the turn and five wide into the stretch and edged a rival late for the show. COALINGA ROAD angled in and dueled between horses, fought back on a short lead just off the rail in midstretch and was edged late for third. AUDACE chased outside, went four wide on the turn and five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SQUARED STRAIGHT stalked inside, came out into the stretch and did not rally. PERFECT AFFECTION saved ground off the pace, came out some in the stretch and improved position. BILL THE COMMISH sent along inside, dueled along the rail, fought back on the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. VERY IRISH in tight between horses early, chased just off the rail and lacked a rally in the drive. HAWK HILL pressed the pace three deep, dropped back on the turn and weakened. U. S. DANGER pulled between horses and was in tight a half mile out, went four wide on the turn and five wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. MINIMAL MISTAKE chased off the rail, dropped back leaving the turn, gave way and was eased in the lane.

NINTH RACE.

5 Furlongs Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 21.81 44.39 56.17

Winner–Wildman Jack B.g.3 by Goldencents out of Orientatious, by Orientate. Bred by W C Racing (KY). Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill. Owner: W.C. Racing Inc.. Mutuel Pool $398,924 Daily Double Pool $40,233 Exacta Pool $247,456 Quinella Pool $7,637 Superfecta Pool $136,132 Trifecta Pool $181,705. Scratched–Erotic, Make It a Triple.

50-Cent Pick Three (7-6-11) paid $11.65. Pick Three Pool $91,871.

WILDMAN JACK dueled three deep, took a short lead in the stretch and pulled clear in the final sixteenth under a left handed crack of the ship and strong handling. TIGER DAD stalked inside, came out into the stretch and split horses in deep stretch for the place. DREAMS OF VALOR close up stalking the pace outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and edged rivals for the show. BLACKOUT (FR) chased alongside a foe, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for third. STOP THE VIOLENCE angled in and dueled between horses, fought back between foes in the drive and lost third late. HIT THE SEAM had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back on the turn and in the stretch and weakened some late. AWESOME HEIGHTS angled in and save ground stalking the pace, continued inside in the stretch and lacked a rally. RIGOLETTO (SWI) broke a bit slowly, settled off the pace inside, came out into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. FREIBURG angled in and settled outside a rival, came out into the stretch and did not rally, then was unsaddled on the clubhouse turn and walked off.

TENTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 23.21 48.52 1:12.99 1:24.99 1:37.23

Winner–Parkour Ch.f.2 by Carpe Diem out of Gemswick Park, by Speightstown. Bred by LNJ Foxwoods (KY). Trainer: Richard E. Mandella. Owner: LNJ Foxwoods. Mutuel Pool $434,084 Daily Double Pool $151,474 Exacta Pool $276,409 Quinella Pool $8,961 Superfecta Pool $135,431 Super High Five Pool $25,012 Trifecta Pool $192,965. Scratched–I Give Up, Undisturbed.

50-Cent Pick Three (6-11-14) paid $33.60. Pick Three Pool $189,565. 50-Cent Pick Four (7-6-6/9/11-14) 4 correct paid $98.95. Pick Four Pool $1,123,988. 50-Cent Pick Five (1-7-6-6/9/11-14) 5 correct paid $1,337.10. Pick Five Pool $802,422. $2 Pick Six (7-1-7-6-6/9/11-14) 5 out of 6 paid $265.80. $2 Pick Six (7-1-7-6-6/9/11-14) 6 correct paid $65,295.60. Pick Six Pool $301,976. $1 Place Pick All 9 out of 10 paid $510.40. Place Pick All Pool $24,076.

PARKOUR had speed outside then angled in and set the pace inside, turned back a rival’s bid into the second turn, inched away again, kicked clear and proved best under some urging. SASSYSERB angled in and stalked inside, came out into the stretch, was between rivals through the final furlong and held second. REDUCTA (GB) chased between horses then a bit off the rail on the second turn, angled in entering the stretch and was edged for the place. CHEROKEE MAIDEN angled in and stalked inside, bid outside the winner into the second turn then stalked outside the runner-up, came out into the stretch and was edged or third between foes. LOOKINTOGETEVEN hopped in a bit of a slow start, chased three deep then just off the rail on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for a minor share five wide on the line. AWESOME ELLA stalked inside then a bit off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for a minor award between rivals on the line. RICHIES NOBLE GIRL settled inside, steadied and came out early on the second turn, continued a bit off the rail into the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. NOBLE HEARTED three deep early, stalked between horses, went three wide on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and also lacked the needed rally. AUGURE four wide early, stalked three deep to the stretch and weakened. ANTIGONE pulled early, chased ad bit off the rail, went outside a rival leaving the backstretch and was not a threat. BIG TIME GRAMMY saved ground off the pace, came out on the second turn and again into the stretch and was not a factor. M IS FOR MAGIC saved ground chasing the pace, took up in tight quarters and had the rider lose the irons into the second turn and dropped back. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the incident involving M IS FOR MAGIC into the far turn but made no change when they ruled the videotape was inconclusive.

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Howdy, I’m your host, Houston Mitchell. Let’s get right to the news.

LAKERS

The Dallas Mavericks took advantage of all the Lakers mistakes and beat them, 114-100. The loss snapped a 10-game winning streak constructed entirely against teams with losing records. The Lakers (17-3) hadn’t played a team with a winning record since Nov. 10, when they lost to the Toronto Raptors.

The Mavericks, on the other hand, entered the game 12-6, with one of those six losses coming in an overtime game against the Lakers.

“I believe in our guys,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “If we play to our abilities, there’s nobody we can’t beat and nowhere we can’t get a W. So we got to make sure that we respond from this and bounce back.”

Dallas star Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 27 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. The Mavericks also got double-digit contributions from Kristaps Porzingis, Dwight Powell, Delon Wright and Justin Jackson. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were the only Lakers to score more than 10 points with James scoring 25 and Davis 27.

“They pushed the tempo a lot more, played with better pace than us,” James said. “Couple calls went against us and kind of changed the momentum of the game.”

Vogel thought his players became “consumed” by the officiating.

“We attacked the basket and didn’t get a couple calls and ended up complaining to the refs and they would run out the other way scoring,” Davis said. “Our defense was terrible today — we didn’t rebound the basketball therefore we keep giving them second chance points and they made us pay with threes.”

Read more

Dylan Hernandez: Lakers are about to get a reality check after being exposed in loss to Mavericks

CLIPPERS

Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points, Paul George added 31, and the Clippers rolled past undermanned Washington 150-125 on Sunday night for their 12th win in a row over the Wizards at home.

Montrezl Harrell added 23 points and 15 rebounds and Lou Williams had 22 points for the Clippers, who improved to a franchise-best 12-1 at Staples Center.

The Clippers shot 57% in taking a 27-point lead in the first half when George had 27 points.

George and Leonard combined to score 10 of the Clippers’ first 13 points in the third when they led 95-69.

RAMS

Jared Goff passed for 424 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-7 at State Farm Stadium.

The Rams improved to 7-5, keeping alive their playoff possibilities.

Six days after the Baltimore Ravens routed them 45-6, the Rams gave up only a fourth-quarter touchdown to fall shy of posting their first shutout since 2017, when they defeated the Cardinals 33-0 in London.

That also was the locale of Goff’s last touchdown pass.

He had not connected with a receiver in the end zone since an Oct. 27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium. The three-game drought was the longest of Goff’s NFL career.

But Goff found tight end Tyler Higbee for a touchdown in the second quarter and wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the third quarter for a 27-0 lead.

Goff completed 32 of 43 passes before he was replaced by Blake Bortles midway through the fourth quarter. Goff’s 424 yards passing were the third most in his career. He passed for 517 yards in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 465 yards in a 2018 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

Goff’s big performance came with a caveat: The Cardinals were ranked second to last in the NFL in total defense and dead last in pass defense.

But it was still a much-needed confidence boost for Goff, who has been under fire for performing well below the level that earned him consecutive Pro Bowl selections the last two seasons. In the days leading up to Sunday’s game, Goff said he did not feel extra pressure to live up to the $134-million extension he received before the season, but he stressed that he needed to be better.

Read more

Taylor Rapp’s first interception is a pick-six as Rams’ defense dominates Cardinals

Robert Woods’ 13 catches for 172 yards go long way for Rams in 34-7 win over Cardinals

RAMS SCHEDULE

All times Pacific. Radio: 710 ESPN, 93.1 JACK FM

Rams 30, at Carolina 27

at Rams 27, New Orleans 9

Rams 20, at Cleveland 13

Tampa Bay 55, at Rams 40

at Seattle 30, Rams 29

San Francisco 20, at Rams 7

Rams 37, at Atlanta 10

Rams 24, Cincinnati 10 (at London)

at Pittsburgh 17, Rams 12

at Rams 17, Chicago 7

Baltimore 45, at Rams 6

Rams 34, at Arizona 7

Sunday vs. Seattle, 5:15 p.m., NBC

Dec. 15 at Dallas, 1:15 p.m., Fox

Dec. 21 at San Francisco, 1:15 p.m., NFL Network

Dec. 29 vs. Arizona, 1:15 p.m., Fox

CHARGERS

The Chargers found a new way to lose during their rough season Sunday, falling 23-20 after a last-second pass interference penalty.

The infraction was called on cornerback Casey Hayward, a 37-yard mark off that set up Brandon McManus’ game-winning 53-yard field goal as time expired.

Denver took over for the final possession at its own 28-yard with just nine seconds remaining.

The Chargers appeared to send the game into overtime on a 46-yard field goal by Michael Badgley with 14 seconds remaining.

The kick came after they converted a fourth-and-11 following consecutive false-start penalties on offensive linemen Dan Feeney and Russell Okung.

Mike Williams made a mostly one-handed catch over Denver cornerback Isaac Yiadom for a 38-yard gain and first down at the Denver 38-yard line with two minutes remaining.

Playing a Denver team missing pass rushers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb and starting a rookie quarterback, the Chargers instead looked like the undermanned team for most of Sunday.

Oddly, they were actually as healthy as they’ve been all year.

CHARGERS SCHEDULE

All times Pacific. Radio: KFI-AM 640, KFWB-AM 980

at Chargers 30, Indianapolis 24 (OT)

at Detroit 13, Chargers 10

Houston 27, at Chargers 20

Chargers 30, at Miami 10

Denver 20, at Chargers 13

Pittsburgh 24, at Chargers 17

at Tennessee 23, Chargers 20

Chargers 17, at Chicago 16

at Chargers 26, Green Bay 11

at Oakland 26, Chargers 24

Kansas City 24, Chargers 17 (at Mexico City)

at Denver 23, Chargers 20

Sunday at Jacksonville, 1 p.m., Fox

Dec. 15 vs. Minnesota, 5:15 p.m., NBC

Dec. 22 vs. Oakland, 1 p.m., CBS

Dec. 29 at Kansas City, 10 a.m., CBS

Sunday’s NFL scoreboard

Rams 34, at Arizona 7

at Denver 23, Chargers 20

at Houston 28, New England 22

at Cincinnati 22, NY Jets 6

Tennessee 31, at Indianapolis 17

at Miami 37. Philadelphia 31

Green Bay 31, at NY Giants 13

at Pittsburgh 20, Cleveland 13

Washington 29, at Carolina 21

Tampa Bay 28, at Jacksonville 11

at Baltimore 20, San Francisco 17

at Kansas City 40, Oakland 9

Read all about them here

Tonight’s schedule

Minnesota at Seattle, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

NFC wild-card standings

Seattle, 9-2

Minnesota, 8-3

Rams, 7-5

Chicago, 6-6

Tampa Bay, 5-7

Philadelphia, 5-7

Carolina 5-7

Arizona, 3-8

Washington 3-9

Eliminated

Detroit, 3-8-1

Atlanta, 3-9

NY Giants, 2-10

USC FOOTBALL

Clay Helton remains USC’s head football coach for now, in spite of a report suggesting otherwise.

Multiple people familiar with the situation confirmed to The Times that no decision has yet been made on the embattled Trojans coach. But the fact that Helton’s status has yet to change, following the official conclusion of the regular season on Saturday, does not mean that Helton is officially safe.

New USC athletic director Mike Bohn, who was hired last month, is expected to make a decision on Helton, one way or the other, in the coming days. When Bohn spoke to The Times less than two weeks ago, he said that a decision on Helton was “something we don’t want to race into.”

UCLA FOOTBALL

Coach Chip Kelly described his commitment to the Bruins as “the same since I’ve been here; it’s been 100%.” He also disputed media reports that he might abandon UCLA after only two years and head back to the NFL as an offensive coordinator.

“I don’t know where they came from and I have not had any discussions with anybody,” Kelly said after his record with the Bruins fell to 7-17 following a season-ending 28-18 loss to California. “We have a banquet [Sunday] at 1 o’clock and we’ll see our seniors off in a manner that they should be seen off and then we hit the ground recruiting, so that’s kind of our plan.”

Did Kelly anticipate being UCLA’s coach when it finally broke through for success after four consecutive losing seasons, including a 4-8 finish in 2019 that was only a one-game improvement over his first season?

“I hope so,” Kelly said. “I’m going to do my part.”

UCLA BASKETBALL

Four days after its ball movement abandoned it, UCLA was back to being in a sharing mood.

The Bruins exceeded the five assists they had compiled in their last game in a matter of minutes Sunday during a 93-64 victory over San Jose State at Pauley Pavilion.

UCLA tallied assists on each of its first six baskets. A seventh wasn’t possible when Jaime Jaquez Jr. poked a ball away for a steal and breakaway dunk, the first of two nearly identical sequences involving the freshman guard in a matter of seconds.

The Bruins (6-3) logged assists on each of their first eight baskets in their halfcourt offense, not counting Jaquez’s two dunks. A related development: UCLA made 10 of its first 14 shots, good for 71.4%, while building a 22-12 lead.

Making his second consecutive start, Jaquez continued his recent rise to prominence with a career-high 18 points on seven-for-10 shooting to go with four assists, three rebounds and three steals in only 20 minutes. Hill added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Smith finished with 14 points for the Bruins, who shot 52.3%.

USC BASKETBALL

Onyeka Okongwu had 27 points and 14 rebounds as USC defeated Harvard 77-62 for third place Sunday night at the Orlando Invitational.

The freshman forward, who shot 12 of 14, had 21 first-half points to help the Trojans go up 52-43. He scored 53 points and grabbed 28 rebounds during the three-game event.

Jonah Mathews and Quinton Adlesh both added 12 points for USC (7-2), which used its size to take control during a second half where the Trojans took a 25-point advantage with nine minutes left.

Noah Kirkwood had 12 points for Harvard (5-4).

YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS MOMENT

What is your all-time favorite local sports moment? Email me at [email protected] and tell me what it is and why, and it could appear in a future Sports newsletter.

This moment comes from David L. Schinnerer of Altadena:

In the early ‘90s I had the great privilege of working as the spotter for the scoreboard operators at the Rose Bowl. In 1993, Nebraska was in town to play the Bruins and, upon arriving two hours before game time, I decided to grab a bite before heading up to the press box. Standing in front of the hot dog stand was an older man, smallish in stature with a dark blue cardigan sweater, waiting to also buy a hot dog. When I got closer, I realized it was John Wooden!

I commented, “Coach, there’s plenty of food in the press box, are you heading up there?” “Oh, no,” he said, “I like to sit with the people in the stands.” He then pulled out his wallet, which was held closed with a rubber band, exactly like my own grandfather! He was also carrying his seat cushion in a bag from a department store that was probably 10-15 years out of business. I truly realized that day that this man had absolutely no trace of ego or self-importance, although he certainly had earned the right to both.

And as a postscript, at halftime I hurried down to his seat to ask for an autograph. In my rush, I had forgotten a program, so I pulled a dollar bill from my pocket and asked if he would sign it, which he gladly did. He then proceeded to fold it up, put it in his shirt pocket and turn back to the halftime show. After a second or two, he turned back to me, handed the dollar back and, with a grin and a wink, told me, “Be careful what you ask me to sign.”

A moment I’ll never forget.

TODAY’S LOCAL MAJOR SPORTS SCHEDULE

All times Pacific

Kings at Ducks, 7 p.m., FSW, PRIME

BORN ON THIS DATE

1940: Hockey player Gerry Cheevers

1940: Football player Willie Brown (d. 2009)

1953: Golfer Jay Haas

1966: Hockey player Kelly Buchberger

1968: Baseball player Darryl Kile (d. 2002)

1969: Football player O. J. McDuffie

1973: Tennis player Monica Seles

1973: Cyclist Jan Ullrich

1975: Baseball player Mark Kotsay

1978: Basketball player Jason Collins

1978: Basketball player Jarron Collins

1983: Football player Aaron Rodgers

DIED ON THIS DATE

1976: Baseball manager Danny Murtaugh, 59

1997: Baseball/basketball player Steve Hamilton, 63

2000: Jockey Chris Antley, 34

2009: Football coach Foge Fazio, 71

2010: Baseball player Ron Santo, 70

2014: Hockey player Jean Béliveau, 83

2016: Diver Sammy Lee, 96

AND FINALLY

Olympics medalist Sammy Lee revisits Occidental College. Watch it here.

That concludes the newsletter for today. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, please email me at [email protected]. If you want to subscribe, click here.

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SAN DIEGO — 

It is the end of an era.

The volunteer firefighters who for nearly 40 years protected the tiny community of Julian, a popular tourist destination in San Diego County, are gone.

Last week, a team of professional firefighters moved into the new station off state Route 79.

The move came eight months after the community voted to dissolve the region’s last volunteer fire department, which became a symbol of the struggle between residents wanting to maintain the old ways and those wanting to modernize.

The dispute boiled over last spring when some of the volunteers briefly locked themselves inside the fire station and refused to leave to protest the takeover. They were eventually forced out after a series of legal setbacks.

Though some still hold out a sliver of hope they will one day regain the property and their oversight of the rural area, the lawsuit challenging the district’s dissolution was dismissed a few weeks ago, finally freeing the county to move in.

“The court has said the dissolution was done properly and won’t be set aside,” Senior Deputy County Counsel Josh Heinlein said.

As of Wednesday, the San Diego County Fire Authority’s firefighters and paramedics have been based out of the station on a full-time basis, just as the first big snow of the year hit the mountain town.

Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp issued a final ruling last month ending the lawsuit filed by the supporters of the volunteer department. The county then towed away more than a half-dozen firetrucks and other vehicles that had been sitting unused inside the station while the court processed various legal challenges.

Most of the volunteer department’s equipment will be sold for salvage, Fire Authority and local Cal Fire Chief Tony Mecham said.

“Some of those vehicles will cost more to repair than they are worth,” he said. “Some are at the end of their lifespan. Others may be repaired and put back in service.”

The county also recently hauled away a load of firewood stored near the station that volunteers had kept available for residents to pick up should they run low in the winter. This outraged a few of the supporters of the volunteers who have been very critical of the county’s actions, especially on social media.

Mecham said the volunteers refused to meet with the county to discuss the transition.

Nevertheless, he said, “we do not disburse firewood to families. That’s not the role of government.”

The truckload of wood was taken to other fire stations that had wood-burning stoves.

Legally, it could still be a year or longer before everything connected to the transition is resolved in court. Two appeals remain and a lawsuit concerning who owns the land the volunteer station sits upon may still be forthcoming.

But injunctions and restraining orders that had kept things in limbo for much of the year no longer apply. Ever since April, the county has been providing medical and structure fire protection for the community using firefighters based in two California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection stations in the area.

The volunteer department was formed in the 1980s after the county disbanded a county fire department in the 1970s, leaving much of the backcountry to fend for itself. The volunteer department has been a source of pride, one of the things that bound the community together.

But in recent years the volunteer department had struggled financially. Attempts to raise property taxes to support the department failed, and staffing at times became an issue.

After the firestorms of 2003 and 2007, the county formed a new county fire department, the Fire Authority, which contracts with Cal Fire. The Fire Authority eventually took control of every volunteer department in the region except in Julian, which stubbornly hung on to its independence.

The concept was to create a county fire department that would replace the backcountry volunteer agencies with professional firefighters and upgraded equipment.

In early 2018, after rejecting overtures from the county, the board of directors of the volunteer department decided to seek dissolution over the loud objections of volunteers and many of their supporters.

A protest was launched. Enough signatures were gathered in the area to force a special election, which was held in March. The result: 54% of local voters opted for county control. After the certification of the election, on April 8, the volunteer group filed a lawsuit against the county to block the move.

Volunteers locked themselves in the station until the last day of May. After they left, the county changed the locks.

There are still those in the community upset about the moves, though Mecham and others say they think those still making a fuss are limited to a dozen or so.

“I think the bad feelings involved a very small number of people,” Mecham said. “The people of Julian are supportive. They wave. They buy our firefighters coffee.”

Jones writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It’s Monday, Dec. 2, and here’s a quick look at the week ahead.

Monday is Cyber Monday, a term made up by marketers to encourage consumers to buy things online on the Monday after Thanksgiving. But it’s also a great time to gift your friends and family with Los Angeles Times subscriptions for the holidays.

[Buy a subscription to the Los Angeles Times here.]

Tuesday is Giving Tuesday, which is like Cyber Monday, but for charitable giving. Here’s an interesting history of how it came to be in recent years.

On Wednesday morning, Los Angeles County will memorialize its unclaimed dead at a public service in Boyle Heights. The cremains of 1,457 individuals will be interred in a single grave and faith leaders from different religious backgrounds will preside over the ceremony in a variety of languages. The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the Los Angeles County Crematory and Cemetery (adjacent to Evergreen Cemetery) on 3301 E. 1st St. in Boyle Heights.

[Read more: “At L.A. County cemetery, unclaimed dead await a final resting place” in the Los Angeles Times]

Every year, a varied group of Angelenos show up to take part in the service and honor the lives and dignity of the thousand-plus people they probably never met. It’s a deeply moving service, and one I try to attend every year, if possible.

On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom will host the California State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Sacramento.

Friday marks the 50th anniversary of Altamont, the disastrous 1969 music festival in the East Bay that’s often billed as the end of an era.

And now, here’s what’s happening across California:

TOP STORIES

A Times review identified nearly 100 preventable deaths over the last decade at California psychiatric facilities: The number of people who die in such facilities has long been difficult to determine. No single agency keeps tabs on the number of deaths at psychiatric facilities in California, or elsewhere in the nation. In an effort to assess the scope of the problem, The Times submitted more than 100 public record requests to nearly 50 county and state agencies and identified nearly 100 preventable deaths over the last decade. Los Angeles Times

The cold snap will continue in Southern California, with more rain and snow on the way. One to two inches of rain are forecast between Tuesday night and Wednesday night throughout the county. Parts of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties are also expected to see some showers, with northwestern San Luis Obispo forecast to get up to four inches of rain through Monday. The heaviest rain is expected to hit the region between Tuesday and Saturday. Los Angeles Times

L.A. STORIES

Clay Helton remains USC’s head football coach for now, in spite of a report suggesting otherwise. Los Angeles Times

Meet the people behind the puppets at the new Bob Baker Marionette Theater. The theater has relocated from the edge of Echo Park to Highland Park. LAist

Do you really, really love the Apple Pan? The West L.A. burger-and-pie institution has teamed with a local clothing company for a limited line of sweatshirts, T-shirts, sweatpants and hats. Eater LA

The man who brought you Studio 54 is behind a new West Hollywood hotspot. Los Angeles Times

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Mayor Eric Garcetti’s latest appointee to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s board of commissioners is a top executive at a company that markets water and power and has a history of trying to make deals with government agencies in Southern California, including LADWP. Los Angeles Times

Your support helps us deliver the news that matters most. Subscribe to the Los Angeles Times.

IMMIGRATION AND THE BORDER

Amid heavy rain, Border Patrol agents and firefighters rescued 20 people on Thanksgiving night who attempted to cross from Mexico into the San Diego region through a flooded network of drainage pipes. Los Angeles Times

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

What went wrong with Kamala Harris’s campaign? The California senator is the only 2020 Democrat who has fallen hard out of the top tier of candidates. New York Times

HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

More than 10,000 people have died across the Bay Area from drug overdoses since the state began tracking overdose deaths in 2006. San Francisco Chronicle

Some say “hazing” stops coyotes from becoming urbanized. But biologists aren’t so sure. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

The University of California is at war with its largest union over outsourcing. University employees fear they will be displaced by lower-paid temp workers. Los Angeles Times

This theater has attracted movie stars and Catalina Island residents since the days of Charlie Chaplin. Now, it may call it a night after 90 years. Los Angeles Times

Up and down California, ski resorts were celebrating the long-term benefits of the snowy Thanksgiving of 2019, though high winds and blizzard conditions caused some logistical problems. Los Angeles Times

Competition greets bus operators between Bakersfield and Los Angeles. The Greyhound is no longer your only option. Bakersfield Californian

A Thanksgiving reunion for a long-lost mother and son. Tina Bejarano Gardere reunited with her son Kristin Cooke after 29 years. Los Angeles Times

Here are 10 unique San Diego shops to hunt for gifts, from locally owned bookstores and game shops to boutiques and hobby stores. San Diego Union-Tribune

The best and weirdest garage doors of San Francisco: Yes, there is a hashtag to ogle the elaborately painted doors. SF Gate

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Los Angeles: partly sunny, 68. San Diego: partly sunny, 67. San Francisco: rain, 59. San Jose: rain, 60. Sacramento: rain, 58. More weather is here.

AND FINALLY

This week’s birthdays for those who made a mark in California:

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia (Dec. 2, 1977), Rep. Grace Napolitano (Dec. 4, 1936), Jay-Z (Dec. 4, 1969), author Joan Didion (Dec. 5, 1934), comedian Margaret Cho (Dec. 5, 1968), Rep. Duncan Hunter (Dec. 7, 1976), singer Tom Waits (Dec. 7, 1949) and former Dodger Yasiel Puig (Dec. 7, 1990).

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints, ideas and unrelated book recommendations to Julia Wick. Follow her on Twitter @Sherlyholmes.

Disney’s “Frozen 2″ dominated the box office once again in its second weekend, adding $123.7 million through the five-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend, including $85.3 million Friday through Sunday (a small 35% drop), for a cumulative total of $287.6 million, according to estimates from measurement firm Comscore.

“This was the Thanksgiving box office bounty the industry was hoping for, and while not a record-breaker [overall], the holiday frame was strong enough to knock the YTD deficit down by 1.3% and get the momentum rolling,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore.

“Frozen 2″ topped previous Thanksgiving weekend record-holder “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” which earned about $110 million in 2013. “Frozen 2″ crossed the domestic $200-million mark in near-record time and currently stands at $738.6 million in global ticket sales.

In second place, Lionsgate and MRC’s “Knives Out” opened Wednesday well ahead of expectations with a five-day debut of $41.7 million, including $27 million Friday through Sunday. It earned $28.3 million internationally for a global cumulative total of $70 million.

”Murder mysteries have always been enormously popular, but cinematically they had become fairly predictable and a little less interesting,” said Joe Drake, chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. Director Rian Johnson “and our producing partners at MRC and T-Street did an extraordinary job of rekindling the genre and exciting moviegoers into action with an exceptionally entertaining film that delivered … fresh characters and a plot that has unpredictable twists and turns. We are off to a fantastic start and expect a very strong holiday multiple given the word of mouth on the movie.”

Written and directed by Johnson (“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”), the film is a comedic take on the murder mystery genre starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Katherine Langford, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette, Jaeden Martell and Don Johnson as members of a wealthy family whose patriarch (played by Christopher Plummer) dies unexpectedly. Lakeith Stanfield, Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas also star.

It was well-received with an A- CinemaScore and a 96% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

At No. 3, Fox’s “Ford v Ferrari” added a five-day haul of $19 million, with $13.2 million in its third weekend for a cumulative total of $81 million. Globally, the film has earned $143.3 million.

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In fourth place, Sony’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” added $17.3 million over the five days, including $11.8 million in its second weekend (a tiny 11% drop) for a domestic cumulative total of $34.3 million.

Rounding out the top five, Universal and Makeready’s “Queen & Slim” opened Wednesday to $15.8 million through five days, including $11.7 million over the weekend.

Directed by Melina Matsoukas (“Insecure,” Beyoncé’s “Formation” video) from a script by Lena Waithe, the film stars Daniel Kaluuya and newcomer Jodie Turner-Smith as a couple on the run after an altercation with a police officer turns deadly. It is the feature debut for both Matsoukas and Waithe.

The film was well received with an A- CinemaScore and a 84% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

At No. 6, STX Entertainment’s “21 Bridges” added $5.8 million Friday through Sunday in its second weekend (a 37% drop) for a cumulative total of $20.5 million.

In seventh place, Paramount’s “Playing With Fire” added $4.2 million over three days in its fourth weekend for a cumulative $39.2 million.

At No. 8, Lionsgate’s “Midway” added $4 million in its fourth weekend for a cumulative $50.3 million.

In ninth place, Warner Bros.’ “Joker” added $2 million in its ninth weekend for a cumulative $330.6 million.

Rounding out the top 10, Universal’s “Last Christmas” added about $2 million in its fourth weekend for a cumulative $31.7 million.

In limited release, A24 expanded “Waves” in its third weekend to 47 locations (up from 21) with $193,430 through the five days (a per-screen average of $4,116), including $140,995 over the weekend (a per-screen average of $3,000), and a cumulative $557,747.

Focus Features’ “Dark Waters” added 90 theaters (up from four in its debut last weekend) with $860,000 through the five days (a per-screen average of $9,229), including $630,000 through the weekend (a per-screen average of $6,702), for a cumulative $977,000.

This week, the studio expands “Dark Waters” into wide release and STX Entertainment opens the animated comedy “Playmobil: The Movie.”

In limited release, Amazon releases the biopic “The Aeronauts,” Neon debuts the drama “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” and Magnolia Pictures reveals the sci-fi drama “Little Joe.”

Dec. 5

Varda by Agnès
In her final film, the beloved director looks back on her 60-year career. In French and English with English subtitles. (2:00) NR.

Dec. 6

The Aeronauts
Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”) reunite as a daring balloon pilot and a meteorologist conducting high-altitude research in the 1860s. With Vincent Perez, Tom Courtenay. Written by Jack Thorne; story by Tom Harper, Thorne. Directed by Harper. (1:40) PG-13.

After Class
Campus controversy shadows a NYC professor as he spends a week reconnecting with his family. With Justin Long, Kate Berlant, Fran Drescher, Richard Schiff. Written and directed by Daniel Schechter. (1:33) NR.

Beyond the Law
A former cop seeks vengeance for his son’s murder. With Steven Seagal, DMX, Johnny Messner. Written by Chad Law, Johnny Martin Walters. Directed by James Cullen Bressack. (1:30) NR.

Broken Dreams
Documentary about two talented Jewish sisters in Poland during the Nazi occupation. Written and directed by Tomasz Magierski. In English and Polish with English subtitles. (1:10) NR.

Code 8
A young man with super powers joins a criminal syndicate to pay for his mother’s medical care. With Robbie Amell, Stephen Amell, Kari Matchett, Sung Kang. Written by Chris Paré. Directed by Jeff Chan. (1:38) NR.

Daniel Isn’t Real
A traumatized college student summons his dangerous imaginary friend from childhood. With Patrick Schwarzenegger, Miles Robbins, Sasha Lane, Mary Stuart Masterson. Written by Brian DeLeeuw, Adam Egypt Mortimer; based on the novel by DeLeeuw. Directed by Mortimer. (1:36) NR.

Downtown 81
Revival of 1981 film about the New Wave music scene in NYC. With Jean Michel Basquiat, Debbie Harry, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, James White and the Blacks. Written by Glenn O’Brien. Directed by Edo Bertoglio. (1:12) NR.

Grand Isle
A young man is charged with murder after seeking shelter with a twisted married couple during a hurricane. With Nicolas Cage, Kelsey Grammer, Luke Benward, KaDee Strickland. Written by Iver William Jallah, Rich Ronat. Directed by Stephen S. Campanelli. (1:37) NR.

I See You
A small town detective and his family are plagued by supernatural occurrences as he probes the disappearance of a young boy. With Helen Hunt, Jon Tenney, Judah Lewis, Owen Teague. Written by Devon Graye. Directed by Adam Randall. (1:36) NR.

In Fabric
A cursed dress brings misfortune to those who wear it. With Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Gwendoline Christie, Sidse Babett Knudsen. Written and directed by Peter Strickland. (1:58) R.

Knives and Skin
The disappearance of a teenage girl impacts the residents of a small Midwestern town in profound and unusual ways. With Marika Engelhardt, Audrey Francis, Tim Hopper. Written and directed by Jennifer Reeder. (1:51) NR.

Little Joe
A plant breeder brings a special flower with healing powers home to her son, unaware of its potential dangers. With Emily Beecham, Ben Whishaw, Kerry Fox. Written by Géraldine Bajard, Jessica Hausner. Directed by Hausner. (1:45) NR.

The Mandela Effect
A man begins to question reality when he realizes he can recall facts and events that others can’t. With Charlie Hofheimer, Aleksa Palladino, Robin Lord Taylor, Clarke Peters. Written by David Guy Levy, Steffen Schlachtenhaufen. Directed by Levy. (1:20) NR.

A Million Little Pieces
A young man battling addiction checks himself into rehab in this adaptation of James Frey’s controversial novel. With Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Odessa Young, Giovanni Ribisi, Juliette Lewis, Charlie Hunnam, Ryan Hurst. Written by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Sam Taylor-Johnson. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. (1:53) R.

Most Likely to Succeed
Documentary follows four high school seniors from disparate backgrounds over the next decade of their lives. Directed by Pamela Littky. (1:37) NR.

My Home India
Documentary on Kira Banasinska, the wife of Poland’s Consul General for India, who helped settle 5,000 Polish refugees in India during and after WWII. Directed by Anjali Bhushan. (0:45) NR.

A New Christmas
A aspiring filmmaker from Kenya helps a lonely med student in NYC rediscovers the joy of the holiday season. With Prashantt Guptha, Preeti Gupta, Grace Wacuka. Written by Travis Hodgkins. Directed by Dani Tenenbaum. (1:19) NR.

Playmobil: The Movie
A sister and brother join a British secret agent to help stop a global conspiracy in this computer-animated action comedy based on the kids’ toy line. With the voices of Daniel Radcliffe, Anya Taylor Joy, Meghan Trainor, Kenan Thompson, Adam Lambert, Jim Gaffigan. Written by Blaise Hemingway, Greg Erb, Jason Oremland; story by Lino DiSalvo. Directed by DiSalvo. (1:39) PG.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire
A painter and her subject, an unhappy bride-to-be, fall in love in 18th-century Brittany. With Adèle Haenel, Noémie Merlant, Valeria Golino. Written and directed by Céline Sciamma. In French and Italian with English subtitles. (2:01) R.

63 Up
The latest installment of Michael Apted’s “Up” documentary series that began with a cohort of British schoolchildren starting in 1964 and continued to check in with them every seven years. (3:00) NR.

Temblores
A husband and father from a conservative Christian family in Guatemala comes out as a gay man. With Juan Pablo Olyslager, Diane Bathen. Written and directed by Jayro Bustamante. In Spanish with English subtitles. (1:47) NR.

Trauma Center
A veteran cop tries to protect a hospitalized young woman from a pair of killers. With Bruce Willis, Nicky Whelan, Steven Guttenberg, Tito Ortiz. Written by Paul Da Silva. Directed by Matt Eskandari. (1:27) R.

The Wolf Hour
A former counterculture celebrity grows increasingly paranoid as she hunkers down in a stifling apartment in the Bronx in summer 1977. With Naomi Watts, Jennifer Ehle, Emory Cohen. Written and directed by Alistair Banks Griffin. (1:39) R.

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When Yanna McIntosh takes the stage Sunday for opening night at the Curran theater in San Francisco, she becomes the eighth black actress to play Hermione Granger in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”

And, as was just announced, when “Harry Potter und das Verwunschene Kind” takes the stage this spring in Hamburg, Germany, Jillian Anthony will be the ninth.

The two-part theatrical event that won nine Olivier awards and six Tonys is premiering on the West Coast, launching its first non-English language production and coming to Toronto in fall 2020. And yet an important creative decision has for some reason grown into the hippogriff in the room: In “Cursed Child,” Hermione is black.

The play’s producers, Sonia Friedman Productions, declined to comment for this article, noting that the subject of Hermione’s race had been discussed at length when the play opened in London. But that was eight Hermiones ago. When asked to discuss the cultural significance of the casting decision in the era when diversity and inclusion have become priorities in theater, the producers rebuffed The Times’ attempts to speak with the show’s director, actors or anyone else in the production.

Avoiding the discussion, however, doesn’t stop fans from noticing. Some Potterheads’ heads practically exploded when they first learned that black actress Noma Dumezweni had been cast as Hermione in the original London production of “Cursed Child” in 2016. Many were elated to learn that they would finally see themselves reflected in the visage of arguably the smartest, bravest, most honorable heroine in modern literature. A smaller number of fans were incensed. Were they merely sticklers to Potter orthodoxy? Had they perceived the casting as political correctness? Or were they racists? All of the above? An online ruckus ensued.

At the time, J.K. Rowling was widely quoted as saying, “Noma was chosen because she was the best actress for the job.” But after Dumezweni, a two-time Olivier Award-winning actress, left the ensemble, all subsequent Hermiones who have been cast — from London to New York to Melbourne to San Francisco to Hamburg — have been black actors.

Early on, director John Tiffany said he wanted a diverse cast, “but that doesn’t mean I wanted Hermione to be black,” he told Scotland’s Daily Record. Half a dozen or so black Hermiones later, Tiffany was still speaking about diversity but avoiding a deeper discussion. Instead, he spoke in general terms, telling the Guardian in 2018, “I never want to drop what kind of quota of diversity we have got. I think it’s really important that we say: no, we need that number of non-white actors in this cast. But that’s not to say that I can’t do some mixing up.”

Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, author of “The Dark Fantastic: Race and the Imagination From Harry Potter to the Hunger Games,” said “this seems like a way to unofficially address concerns about diversity and inclusion in Harry Potter without officially responding to critiques.”

She speculated that the best way to protect the financial fortunes of the Potter franchise was simply not to discuss the race question publicly.

“The intellectual property is worth $25 billion, therefore it is in the best interest of all involved to keep the widest possible audience happy,” she said.

Hollywood — and Broadway — have a long, egregious track record of casting white actors as nonwhite characters. Filmdom is full of epic fails like Mickey Rooney’s Mr. Yunioshi, Natalie Woods’ Maria, and let us not forget Laurence Olivier in blackface as Othello. Given the history, the recent revelation that Julia Roberts was once considered to play Harriet Tubman hardly registered as a surprise to some.

Has blackwashing become the new whitewashing? Some are happy to see the industry make amends by casting people of color to star as beloved characters in major productions. Critics, however, worry this presto-chango switcheroo is a mere bandage that masks the persistent lack of authentically diverse characters and stories making it to stage and screen.

Currently on Broadway, Glinda in “Wicked” is black. So is Anna in “Frozen” and Hermione in “Cursed Child.” Tiny Tim is black too: The new production of “A Christmas Carol” on Broadway was adapted by Jack Thorne, who wrote “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” In “A Christmas Carol,” racial diversity has received less attention than disabled representation: At the insistence of Thorne, Dickens’ disabled character is played by a disabled actor.

On the big screen, Zoë Kravitz will play Catwoman, Lashana Lynch will be the new 007 (a twofer — black and female) and Halle Bailey will play Ariel in the live-action movie version of “The Little Mermaid.”

#NotMyAriel may have been trending for a time, but the backlash to Hermione’s race-bending was far more viral. This, despite Rowling’s support.

“Hermione can be a black woman with my absolute blessing and enthusiasm,” she tweeted in 2015, six months before the play opened. She went on to address the naysayers, tweeting: “Canon: brown eyes, frizzy hair and very clever. White skin was never specified. Rowling loves black Hermione.”

Her tweet received nearly 100,000 “likes,” including emotional outpourings like, “As a black girl who identified with Hermione soooo much growing up, thank you @jk_rowling. Twelve-year-old me is crying happy tears.”

There also were a plethora of “I’m not racist but …” comments. And the #NotMyHermione detectives delved deep into canon (official, original source, in fanspeak) to prove Hermione’s true pigmentation. Rowling’s Twitter feed was flooded with “evidence” from her own old drawings, as well as from photos of Book 3, Chapter 21, Page 293, which states “Hermione’s white face was sticking out from behind a tree.”

Valerie Frankel, who edited the book “Fan Phenomena: Harry Potter,” said she believes Rowling wrote Hermione to be white.

“Certainly, it would have been more inclusive to have all this in the original text, but it’s reasonable to speculate that if Rowling were writing this story today, knowing what a massive franchise it would become, she might make different choices,” Frankel said.

She added that children’s book authors often default to white characters “and then realize it’s kinder to young audiences to mix up the diversity in the next series. ‘Cursed Child’ therefore changed Hermione.”

Sherri Young, executive director of San Francisco’s African-American Shakespeare Company, points out that “anyone could play a clever outcast character with frizzy hair, but when a production chooses to hire a black actor consistently for that particular role, it means there is a message or purpose. So I would like to challenge people who have seen the play to discover if anything is added to the character by making the choice to specifically cast a black actress in the role.”

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Lest we forget, Hermione is a mudblood (mixed-race wizard), and Rowling conceived of a world where mudbloods were discriminated against. By the final book, mudbloods were rounded up, detained and interrogated by the government’s Muggle-Born Registration Commission. Compellingly, 19 years later, which is the time-frame of “Cursed Child,” the play’s grown-up Hermione is now the Minister of Magic — kind of like a black president.

Many have noted that the book series can be interpreted as an allegory about racism and white supremacy. “Cursed Child” is officially considered the eighth story in the Harry Potter series. Unofficially, black Hermione has long been a thing on the internet; Potter fan artists choose to remake the characters in their own image, and a black Hermione has been the most ubiquitous race-bent Potter character. Alanna Bennett wrote in Buzzfeed: “I was seeing Hermione’s subtext brought out into text … painting Hermione as a woman of color [is] an act of reclaiming her allegory at its roots.”

So it’s perplexing to many fans why Rowling — or anyone from the theatrical production — wouldn’t want to say: “Society has evolved, so can the wizarding world.” Instead, the lack of public comment feeds into the narrative of Rowling’s “virtue-signaling” (a conspicuous expression of moral values).

“There is nothing wrong with Hermione being played by a black actress,” wrote Sammy Kumar, an online Potter pundit. “But there is with JKR positing that the Hermione she wrote and envisioned was not white.”

Kumar wrote that the real problem is Rowling’s “blatant attempts to squeeze in diversity she never wrote and then shout it from the rooftops.” Kumar pointed out that Rowling’s black characters are described as black: Angelina Johnson is “a tall black girl with long, braided hair,” and Dean Thomas is a “black boy even taller than Ron.” Characters specifically described as black, Kumar said, are all minor players.

Sherri Young, executive director of San Francisco’s African-American Shakespeare Company

According to Dylan Marron’s “Every Single Word” video series, only 0.47% of all lines spoken in the eight Harry Potter films are said by people of color.

Even before Hermione was black, cynics were making fun of Rowling’s after-the-fact wokeness and accusing her of PC pandering. The righting of Rowling wrongs has long been a topic of discussion among her fan base. One fan posted online, “J.K Rowling’s the only author I know of that’s managed to fan-fiction her own work.”

There’s much snark lodged against the author, who communicates regularly with her fans on Twitter. After announcing that Dumbledore was gay, a spate of fake woke memes declared that “Snape was a single mother” and “the sorting hat was trans.” Or, more to the point: “J.K. Rowling confirms some characters in her books and movies are gay everywhere except in the books or the movies.”

The did-she-or-didn’t-she debate might have its most nuanced answer from Jenny Jules, the actress currently playing Hermione Granger on Broadway. She told Playbill: “I think in casting Noma Dumezweni, it was color-blind and color-conscious at the same time.” She said the director did choose the best actor, “but in doing that, he said, ‘I’m going to start this journey with this person who happens to be of this racial ethnicity, and I have to think about the future of this character.’” Jules said that by casting subsequent black actresses, “he was starting a revolution.”

“I just know that young women of color are coming into the theater, seeing me as Hermione … and are seeing me with my afro hairstyle, and it takes their breath away,” Jules added. “And they’re just going, ‘There I am, I’m represented in this story.‘ How amazing is that?”

SERIES

The Voice The top 10 perform. 8 p.m. NBC

All American Spencer (Daniel Ezra) can’t get excited about his football ranking and gets some guidance from Layla (Greta Onieogou) in this new episode. 8 p.m. The CW

The Great Christmas Light Fight Lifestyle expert Carter Oosterhouse and interior designer Taniya Nayak return as celebrity judges for a seventh season of this competition series, which launches with a two-hour premiere, which includes a stop in Fillmore. 8 p.m. ABC

9-1-1 Christmas is shaping up to be the most accident-prone time of the year as first responders help victims of holiday-themed mishaps. Peter Krause and Jennifer Love Hewitt star. 8 p.m. Fox

Prodigal Son Knowing that the “Junkyard Killer” was in cahoots with his father (Michael Sheen), Malcolm (Tom Payne) Malcolm decides to go against the FBI’s wishes and investigate the case in this new episode. Lou Diamond Phillips also stars. 9 p.m. Fox

Holiday Baking Championship Jesse Palmer teaches the bakers a lesson in repurposing holiday gifts in the first round, when they must turn panettone, the classic holiday Italian sweet bread, into an entirely new dessert. 9 p.m. Food Network

Wrap Battle In the first of two new episodes, wrappers get a special delivery direct from the North Pole, then compete to deliver the freshest vacation-themed gift basket concept they can. In the second they stay up all night to wrap gifts for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots holiday gift drive. 9 and 10 p.m. Freeform

His Dark Materials The alethiometer sends Lyra and Iorek (Dafne Keen, Joe Tandberg) on a new path that leads to a shocking but vital clue. 9 p.m. HBO

Making It This arts and crafts series launches a two-week sprint with new episodes airing tonight through Thursday this week, Monday and Tuesday next week and a two-hour finale next Wednesday. In the season premiere, hosts Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman welcome 10 new contestants for holiday-themed challenges. 10 p.m. NBC

The Good Doctor Dr. Murphy (Freddie Highmore) visits his father (Michael Trucco) on his deathbed and the family reunion reveals unexpected results in this new episode of the medical drama. Joanna Going also guest stars. 10 p.m. ABC

Christmas Cookie Challenge In this new episode, the cookie makers craft imaginative Christmas cards out of cookies. Ree Drummond, Gesine Prado and Aarti Sequeira judge the results. 10 p.m. Food Network

SPECIALS

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer A reindeer with an incandescent nose guides Santa’s sleigh through a bad storm on Christmas Eve in the holiday favorite based on the song by Johnny Marks. 8 p.m. CBS

Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On This new two-part documentary offers an intimate look into the country music superstar’s life as a musician and father. 9 p.m. A&E; concludes Tue.

TALK SHOWS

CBS This Morning (N) 7 a.m. KCBS

Today (N) 7 a.m. KNBC

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America (N) 7 a.m. KABC

Good Day L.A. Patrick Schwarzenegger; actress-model Corinne Foxx; Top Property with Marla Tellez. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV

Live With Kelly and Ryan Scarlett Johansson (“Marriage Story”). (N) 9 a.m. KABC

The View Yvette Nicole Brown guest co-hosts; presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). (N) 10 a.m. KABC

Rachael Ray 10 a.m. KTTV

The Wendy Williams Show (N) 11 a.m. KTTV

The Talk (N) 1 p.m. KCBS

Tamron Hall 1 p.m. KABC

The Dr. Oz Show 1 p.m. KTTV

The Kelly Clarkson Show Nick Offerman; Kellie Pickler. 2 p.m. KNBC

Dr. Phil 3 p.m. KCBS

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Rob Lowe (“Holiday in the Wild”); Zara Larsson performs. (N) 3 p.m. KNBC

The Real (N) 3 p.m. KTTV

The Doctors 3 p.m. KCOP

Amanpour and Company (N) 11 p.m. KCET; 1 a.m. KLCS

The Daily Show With Trevor Noah (N) 11 p.m. Comedy Central

Conan Adam Scott. (N) 11 p.m. TBS

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon John Mulaney; model Karlie Kloss; Solange performs. 11:34 p.m. KNBC

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert 11:35 p.m. KCBS

Jimmy Kimmel Live! 11:35 p.m. KABC

The Late Late Show With James Corden 12:37 a.m. KCBS

Late Night With Seth Meyers 12:37 a.m. KNBC

Nightline (N) 12:37 a.m. KABC

A Little Late With Lilly Singh 1:38 a.m. KNBC

SPORTS

College basketball Miami visits Illinois, 4 p.m. ESPN2; Clemson visits Minnesota, 6 p.m. ESPN2

Football The Minnesota Vikings visit the Seattle Seahawks, 5 p.m. ESPN

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Hockey The Kings visit the Ducks, 7 p.m. Fox Sports Net, FS Prime

For more sports on TV, see the Sports section.