THE BIDEN Administration is granting “temporary protected status” to 472,000 Venezuelans (Shutterstock).

“Temporary Protected Status” will be granted to several hundred thousand Venezuelans now in the United States.

According to the Associated Press, the Biden Administration announced on Wednesday that it grants the status which allows them to seek authorization to seek work in the U.S.

The new status would apply to an estimated 472,00 Venezuelans. The move was sought by mayors and governors hard-pressed to care for the migrants. There are already nearly 243,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. who have qualified for that status.

New Joint Chiefs chair is confirmed

Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown was confirmed as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday, doing an end-run around an effort to block promotions in the Pentagon.

SENATE wing of the U.S Capitol building (Wikipedia).

The vote was 83-11. Brown was confirmed after Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York arranged to have Brown’s nomination taken up separately.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) has been able to hold up other promotions which had been done in a group previously.

Under Senate rules a single senator may require that nominations be done one-by-one rather than individually. Tuberville objected to Defense Department abortion policies.

Sports: Angels snap losing streak

Sparked by two home runs by Brandon Drury – his 22nd and 23rd – the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 8-3 on Wednesday and snapped a six-game losing streak.

The Halos (69-83) jumped out to an early 6-0 lead.  Drury ended up with a 3-for-5 night with two runs scored and five RBIs. Zach Neto singled and doubled, scoring twice and driving in one run. 

Reid Detmers went four innings, giving up three hits and one run (unearned). He struck out seven batters and walked two. The win went to Andrew Wantz (2-0), who pitched the fifth and six innings.

The Angels will take on the Rays again on Thursday, with Griffin Canning (7-7) making the start.

Back in Los Angeles, the Dodgers are hosting the Detroit Tigers. Check back for the final result.

Weather: You’re getting warmer …

The West Orange County thermometer is rising as we approach the weekend. The forecast for Thursday is for morning clouds and afternoon sun with a high of 73 and a low of 62. But Friday warms to 75 (63) under cloudy skies, and increases to 78 (59) under partly cloudy skies on Saturday. It will all peak at 80 (60) on Sunday.