UNITED AUTO WORKERS are threatening to strike the three Detroit car manufacturers if no deal is reached by Sept. 14 (Shutterstock).

The president of the United Auto Workers has set a deadline of Sept. 14 for car manufacturers to reach a new agreement with the union or face a strike.

Associated Press is reporting that Shawn Fain said the UAW will strike any Detroit automaker – Ford, General Motors and Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler) – if no deal is reached when the current contracts expire next week.

The unions are asking for across-the-board pay hikes of 46 percent, a 32-hour work week with 40 hours pay and a restoration of traditional pensions. 

Drilling ban in Arctic wilderness

POLAR BEARS in the Arctic Refuge (Wikipedia).

The Biden Administration announced on Wednesday it would ban drilling for oil and gas in 13 million acres of wilderness in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska

The New York Times reports that, additionally, all existing leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would be ended. The action would not interfere with the operation of the Willow oil drilling operation approved by President Biden recently.

Some environmentalists object, saying the president has broken his promise of “no new drilling” in land and water controlled by the federal government.

Hunter Biden indictment pending?

HUNTER BIDEN

The special counsel investigating Hunter Biden – son of the president – will seek an indictment on criminal gun charges, the Justice Department announced on Wednesday.

According to United Press International, David Weiss will ask a federal grand jury to issue the indictment by Friday, Sept. 29.

Hunter Biden is facing a charge of illegal possession of a firearm in October 2018 as well as accusations related to his taxes and business practices in 2017 and 2018.

He would be the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be indicted.

Dodgers can’t reel in Marlins

Even the best of teams can hit a dry patch, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are proving that.

On Wednesday they lose 11-4 to the Miami Marlins in Florida. It was their fifth loss in five games.

The Marlins scored nine runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a lead they wouldn’t leave. The Miami lineup teed off om Lance Lynn (10-11) getting seven hits and eight earned runs in his 4.2 innings. He yielded three home runs, walked there batters and struck out one. 

The Dodgers got homers from Jason Hayward (his 14th of the season) and Jason Outman (his 18th), but it wasn’t enough.

Now 84-54 and still in first place in the National League  West, the team will try to salvage a win in the series on Thursday when they send Ryan Pepiot (1-0) to the mound.

Angels continue to slide, lose 10-3

With their sixth loss in a row, the Los Angeles Angels are Oh-For-August. They lost 10-3 to the Baltimore Orioles in Anaheim to see their record fall to 64-76, still in fourth place in the American League West.

Brandon Drury had the best night for the Halos, going 3-for-4 with a double and a triple. Luis Rengifo was 2-for-4, including hitting his 16th home run of the season.

The Angels will start a series with the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday.

Weather: Partly cloudy etc. etc.

Skies in our West Orange County area will be partly cloudy through Monday, according to forecasts. Thursday should have a daytime high of 82 with an overnight low of 64. Friday will be warmer at 90 (66). Saturday should be similar at 90 (70). A gradual decline in daytime temps will begin on Sunday with 89 (68).