UKRAINE may be behind an attack on a strategic bridge in Crimea (Shutterstock).

What could be a major military and morale defeat for Russia took place Saturday when a bridge linking to Crimea was partially destroyed.

According to the Associated Press, no party has taken credit for the incident, but it’s widely believed to be the work of Ukraine. The bridge is a major supply route for Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, and was widely touted as beyond the ability of attackers to damage it.

Video of the wreck show a truck and a passing train engulfed in flames; it’s not clear which might have been the bearer of a bomb that partially knocked out Europe’s longest bridge. At least three people were reported killed.

Low unemployment is bad news?

THE JOBLESS RATE is down to 3.5 percent.

There was once a time when low unemployment rates and strong hiring were considered welcome news and signs of a healthy economy. But in today’s inflation-wary economy, not so much.

Friday’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that non-farm payrolls increased by 263,000 for the month of September and the U.S. jobless rate fell by 0.2 percent to 3.5 percent. Many fear that high employment will boost consumer demand, thereby increasing inflation, which would likely lead to another increase in interest rates.

As the cost of buying climbs, inflation – and perhaps the economy slows.

Sports: College football, baseball playoffs

FOOTBALL AND baseball this weekend
(Shutterstock).

USC (5-0) football defeated  Washington State (4-1) by 30-14 at the Coliseum this evening. 

UCLA (6-0) football defeated Utah (4-2) by 42-32 at the Rose Bowl.

The MLB Wild Card round of playoffs is underway. Cleveland knocked the Tampa Ray Rays out in the AL, while the Guardians are playing the Seattle Mariners.

In the NL, it’s the Philadelphia Phillies vs. the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres vs. the New York Mets.

Weather: Getting into a habit

The weather forecast for the West Orange County area is easy to remember. The National Weather Service is predicting patchy fog in the morning through Monday, followed by some clouds, yielding to sun. The daytime highs will range from 81 to 79, with the lows in the mid-60s.