KEVIN McCARTHY is out as Speaker of the House (Shutterstock)

For the first time in the nation’s history, the House of Representatives has ousted its speaker, leaving the position vacant.

According to the Associated Press, the vote was 216-210 on a vote to remove Kevin McCarthy (D-California). Most Republicans opposed the motions but most Democrats and a small number of “ultra-right” Republicans supported it.

The action to remove McCarthy came from Matt Gaetz (R-Florida), who was angered by McCarthy’s compromise agreement with Democrats in the House to avoid a government shutdown.

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) will be speaker pro tempore until a new speaker is chosen.

McCarthy has said that he would not seek to run for the post again, which he held for nine months, reports The New York Times. “I do not regret negotiating,” said McCarthy. “Our government is designed to find compromise.”

Ford makes new offer to striking workers

A seventh and “strongest” offer has been made to striking auto workers by Ford, according to United Press International.

The offer, made after three weeks into  the strike by members of the United Auto Works, includes an increase in starting pay for temporary workers to $21 an hour, an elimination of two-tier wage scales and increases in contributions to 401k accounts.

General Motors took a different approach, laying off 163 workers in response to the labor action. The UAW union has promised to support members with $500 a week in strike pay.

Limited gag order issued to Trump

A GAG ORDER has been issue against Donald Trump (Shutterstock).

In response to former president Donald Trump’s comments about the law clerk of Judge Arthur Engorin, who’s presiding over Trump’s civil fraud trial, a “limited gag order” was placed Tuesday on the former chief executive.

According to The New York Times, the judge said, “Personal attacks on members of my court staff are unacceptable, not appropriate and I will not tolerate them.”

The remark in question was a social media post showing the clerk  next to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), terming the association “disgraceful. “ The judge ordered Trump to delete the post, which he did.

Weather: Sunny promises not kept

The prospect of sunny skies for a week over our West Orange County area is apparently not going to be kept. The sun will prevail on Wednesday with a daytime high of 86 and an overnight low of 61. Partly cloudy conditions will resume on Thursday with a high of 88 (61), followed by Friday’s 89 (64) and Saturday’s 85 (64).