UNITED STATES Supreme Court building (Flickr/Geoff Livingston).

In its final major ruling of this session, the U.S Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency did not have the authority to impose specific regulations regarding how power plants can be compelled to cut carbon dioxide emissions, which are believed to be a major cause of climate change.

According to The Associated Press, the court again split 6-3 – with conservatives prevailing – that regulatory agencies did not necessarily have the right to create rules not enumerated by legislation.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that while reducing carbon dioxide might necessary, the EPA did not the have to power to create regulations that have the force of law.

The ruling is expected to have an impact on new guidelines being prepared by the EPA on combatting emissions.

Biden willing to drop filibuster

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN (White House).

Finally abandoning his support for the filibuster in the U.S. Senate, President Joe Biden on Thursday said that in the wake of the “outrageous behavior” of the Supreme Court in reversing Roe v. Wade, he was dropping his support for the filibuster rule that essentially make it necessary to get 60 votes to pass some bills in the Senate, according to The New York Times.

Democrats have a narrow advantage in the Senate. If the filibuster were eliminated, the president’s party would only need 50 votes – plus Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaker – to pass a national abortion rights bill.

Also in the news … In an historic moment, Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in Thursday as the first Black woman to serve on the U.S Supreme Court. She will take the seat formerly held by Stephen Breyer, who retired on Thursday.

Sports: From Pac 12 to Big 16?

In an historic shift, it was announced Thursday that UCLA and USC have been accepted as members of the Big 12 conference, which actually includes 14 schools.

The switch is effective with the 2024 season.

USC v. UCLA football (Wikipedia).

The effect on the Pac-12 is unknown; the shift covers most but not all of the Trojan and Bruins’ teams, so a vestigial Pac-12 might remain for a time.

The reason behind the change? Money. The Big 10-Plus has a very lucrative TV contract that will only get better, and millions more in cash are expected to flow toward the two Los Angeles-based schools.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (47-28) defeated the San Diego Padres (48-32) by 3-1 in a battle for leadership the National League West. With the win, Blue Crew has a 2.5-game lead over their rivals to the south.

The Los Angeles Angels (37-41) have the day off and will open a series Friday in Houston against the AL West-leading Astros (48-27).

Weather: A nice weekend ahead

The West Orange County area should enjoy a pleasant weekend with daytime temperatures in the low 80s to mid-70s. According to the forecast, Friday should be sunny with a daytime high of 82 and an overnight low of 63. Saturday should also be sunny with a high of 78 (62). Sunday will see the return of some cloudiness and a high of 75 (60).