Biden claims victory on bill

Victory is being claimed by President Joe Biden in the internal Democratic struggle over the content of his $1.85 trillion program of expansion of the social safety net and battling climate change.

According to the Associated Press, Biden was claiming Thursday that an “historic” framework had been achieved in Congress for the passage of his program. “Let’s get this done,” he said.

The package, which originally had a price tag of $3 trillion, has been slimmed down nearly in half. Gone are paid family leave and a program to lower prescription prices.

Remaining, reports the AP, are free kindergarten, expanded health programs and over half a billion devoted to fighting climate change.

The New York Times is reporting that Biden still remains short of the votes he needs to assure passage.

While Democrats hold a majority in both houses of Congress, the advantage is slim and in the face of what’s expected to be uniform Republican opposition, they can afford no defections in their ranks.

Facebook’s parent gets a new name

The company that owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp will be changing its name to Meta. The social media giant Facebook will continue to operate under that name.

Company founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg made the announcement on Thursday, according to United Press International.

The name change comes as the firm comes under heavy criticism that it has neglected to mitigate its role in spreading conspiracy theories and false information about the coronavirus and vaccination.

It’s estimated that Facebook’s social media has 1.78 billion monthly active users, as of 2020.

Also in the news …

• Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was charged in a criminal complaint Thursday on a charge of “forcible touching.” He allegedly groped a female aide’s breast while in the Executive Mansion, according to The New York Times.
• President Joe Biden will meet with Pope Francis on Friday at the Vatican.

Sports: Braves, Astros square off on Friday

After the Houston Astros evened the World Series at one win apiece with a 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, the teams are taking a travel day today (Thursday) and will resume action on Friday, starting three games in Georgia through Sunday. If a sixth game is needed, it will be played in Houston on Tuesday and a seventh game on Wednesday.

Weather: Warm, cool, cooler …

The weekend in the West Orange County area will start warm and then get progressively cooler. According to forecasts, Friday’s high will be 81 with an overnight low of 57. But on Saturday, clouds will begin to move in and the high is expected to drop to 71 (57 overnight). Sunday should be 69 and Monday 67. In the coastal areas of Huntington Beach, Friday will be 76 and sunny, with daytime temps skidding to 67 on Saturday and Sunday under partly cloudy skies, finally hitting 66 on Monday.