PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN greets first responders in Live Oak, Fla. (White House photo).

President Joe Biden toured Florida on Saturday to observe the damage from Hurricane Idalia, telling victims of the storm that “your nation has your back.”

According to the Associated Press, Biden went on a walking tour of Live Oak after viewing the damage from a helicopter.

He promised that the federal government would assist in recovery and “we’ll be with you until the job is done.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis, a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, declined to meet with Biden.

Some areas of Florida remain without electric power and some roads and highways are closed because of debris.

Prisoners of the “Burning Man”?

The entrances and exits to the popular Burning Man event in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert have been closed as heavy rains have drenched about 73,000 people in attendance.

United Press International is reporting that the downpour has made roads largely impassable and that participants were urged to conserve food, water and fuel until the crisis passes.

The event is scheduled to close on Monday, but many people began leaving on Saturday night.

Farewell to “Margaritaville”

JIMMY BUFFETT

Jimmy Buffet, famous for his unique Carribean-accented pop and rock music, had died at the age of 76. He is best-known known for songs like “Margaritaville,” “Come Monday” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”

He acquired a large following of devoted fans called “Parrotheads” and was also an author, actor and businessman who built an empire that included restaurants, clothing and collectibles.

The cause of death has not been disclosed, but he had been hospitalized recently.

Trojans slam Nevada, 66-13

Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy last season, made a good argument for a repeat as he passed for five touchdowns when the USC Trojans defeated the University of Nevada 66-14 on Saturday at the Coliseum.

He passed for 319 yards and left the field with the score 42-7 in the third period, giving his backups some playing time, including Miller Moss, who completed seven of 10 passes.

At the Rose Bowl, the UCLA Bruins defeated Coastal Carolina 27-13 in the season opener.

In other college football action, top-ranked Georgia defeated UT Martin 48-7.

Braves take 3rd straight from Dodgers

The Atlanta Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 in 10 innings at Chavez Ravine on Saturday, their third straight win over the home team.

Orlando Arcia’s home run in the top of the 10th was the decider. It was his second home run of the game.

The series will conclude on Sunday with Bob Miller  (8-3) making the start for the Dodgers.

In other Major League Baseball action, the Los Angeles Angels lost 2-1 to the Oakland A’s. It was their sixth loss in seven games.

Weather: Cloudy, then sunny

The forecast for our West Orange County area for Sunday is for morning clouds followed by afternoon sun. The daytime high should be 76 with an overnight low of 64.

After that, it will be partly cloudy through Friday with daytime highs slowly rising to 81 and overnight lows ranging from 62 to 64.