A SHUTDOWN of the federal government was avoided with a last-minute deal in Congress on Saturday (Shutterstock).

A temporary funding bill that will prevent a government shutdown passed both houses of Congress on Saturday and has been sent to President Joe Biden.

The New York Times reports that the bill will keep the doors to Federal agencies open for 45 days until Nov. 17. The legislation will not include additional aid for Ukraine but will add $16 billion for federal disaster help.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy put together a bipartisan alliance to pass the bill by 335-91 and overcome the objections of hard-right Republicans  by getting help from Democrats. It then passed the Senate on an 88-9 vote.

Biden called the action “Good news for the American people,” but said he would work to restore the assistance to Ukraine.

Putin wants to expand Russian military

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proclaimed “Reunification Day” and called for 130,000 new recruits for the country’s armed forces.

The planned expansion would cover those from 18 to 27 years old to be enlisted from Oct.1 to Dec. 31.

According to United Press International, those troops would be added to the 147,000 Russians conscripted in the spring for duty in the war in Ukraine.

USC survives late Colorado rally

The USC football team held off a furious Colorado rally on Saturday to claim a 48-41 Pac-12 win over the Buffaloes.

Leading 48-27 going into the fourth quarter, the Trojans (5-0) yielded two late TDs by Colorado but prevailed to escape with its number eight ranking intact.

Caleb Williams, winner of the 2022 Heisman Trophy, passed for  403 yards and six touchdowns. He was intercepted once and rushed for 25 yards.

For Colorado (3-2), Shedeur Sanders passed for 371 yards and four TDs and ran for 76 yards and a score. He was intercepted once.

BASEBALL: The Los Angeles Angels lost 7-3 on Saturday to the Oakland A’s in Anaheim. The Halos led 3-1 until the visitors scored five runs in the eighth and one run in the ninth. Logan O’Hoppe hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning for LAA.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost 2-1 to the San Francis Giants on  Saturday up north. Clayton Kershaw (13-5) took the loss. He pitched 5.1 innings, gave up five hits and two earned runs. Kershaw struck out five and walked two.

Weather: Temps back on the rise

The forecast for our West Orange County area shows a gradual rise in temperatures for the coming week. Sunday should see morning clouds with afternoon sun and a daytime high of 69 with an evening low of 57. Partly cloudy skies will set in for Monday and Tuesday with daytime highs rising to 75 and 80.