DIANNE FEINSTEIN is dead at 90 (Shutterstock).

Dianne Feinstein, the popular mayor of San Francisco and the first women elected to the U.S. Senate in California history, has died at the age of 90.

DIANNE FEINSTEIN in 1993.

According to the Associated Press, she died of natural causes on Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said “we lost a giant in the Senate.”

President Joe Biden called her “a true trailblazer” and a “cherished friend.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) praised her service to the country as well.

Gov. Gavin Newsom can appoint a temporary replacement – almost certainly a Democrat – to serve until the next election in 2024.

Conservatives sink stopgap bill

A SHUTDOWN of the federal government looms as a large possibility (Shutterstock).

A last-minute effort by Speaker of the House Kevin Mc Carthy (R-California) to craft a temporary bill to keep the federal government from shutting down was blocked by “hard-right” conservatives who said they would not support the bill under any circumstances.

The New York Times is reporting that even if Republicans could unify and use their slim majority in the House of Representatives to pass a bill, it would be doomed to failure in the Senate where the Democrats are in control.

Twenty-one Republicans opposed it, along with the Democrats for a 232-198 final tally.

New York City slammed by flood waters

A state of emergency has been declared in New York City and surrounding areas has heavy rain flooded streets and tangled traffic.

United Press International reports that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City, the Hudson River Valley and Long Island.

As much as 5 inches of rain had fallen by Friday morning and subway and rail service has been suspended. About 700 flights in area airports were delayed.

Weather: Showers on Saturday

Will Mother Nature give the Pacific Air Show over Huntington Beach some grief? The forecast for Saturday will be for morning showers with a daytime high of 71 and an overnight low of 57. Sunday should have morning clouds and afternoon sun with temperatures of 69 (57). Monday will see the beginning of a warming trend to 74 (58) with partly cloudy skies. Tuesday will be similar at 80 (61).