Republicans win the House

Republicans have won control of the U.S. House of Representatives. With all races decided, members of the GOP will have 218 seats to 210 for the Democrats, a relatively narrow edge. Republican candidates were able to flip eight seats.

Control of the House won’t allow the new majority to pass major legislation because Democrats will still control the Senate and President Joe Biden could veto any action he disliked.

However, all bills for taxation must originate in the House, so Republicans will have some power to shape the budget, or even to “shut down the government” by refusing to approve a budget.

Senate moves to protect marriages

On a vote of 63-37, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to begin debate on the Respect for Marriage Act, which would establish federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.

All 50 Democrats and 12 Republicans voted in favor. The bill has already passed the House of Representatives.

The bill would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which  defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman and allows states to refuse to accept same-same marriages from other states, according to United Press International.

Sports: Virginia cancels football game

The University of Virginia has cancelled its football game against Coastal Carolina on Saturday in the wake of the on-campus fatal shooting of three Cavalier football players.

One more player is in critical condition at a Charlottesville hospital, according to Sports Illustrated.

A suspect, ex-UV football player Christopher Jones, Jr., has been arrested and faces murder charges.

Weather: Sunny and (mostly) seventies

The National Weather Service’s forecast for the West Orange County area is for sunny days with temperatures in the 70s (mostly). The outlook for Thursday is for a daytime high of 75 and an overnight low of 47. Friday will a bit cooler at 69 (50). Saturday warms up to  73 (46) and Sunday will be similar at 74 (45).