BORDER PATROL sign (Wikipedia photo).
An effort to move forward with a bipartisan deal to fund both military aid to Ukraine and improve border security is complicated by opposition from former president Donald Trump and his supporters.
“I do not think we should do a Border Deal, at all, unless we get everything needed to shut down the invasion of millions and millions of people,” Trump posted on social media.
The U.S. has spent billions of dollars in military and other aid to help Ukraine resist Russians invaders, but authorization for more assistance must come from Congress.
Immigration problems at the Mexican border have become a major political issue for Trump – considered likely to become the Republican presidential nominee for the third time – and a sensitive issue for President Joe Biden.
GDP grew at 3.3% rate in quarter
THE U.S. GROSS domestic product grew 3.3 % for the fourth quarter of 2023 (Shutterstock).
The gross domestic product of the U.S. economy grew at a 3.3 percent rate for the last quarter of 2023 according to the federal Department of Commerce. That is lower than the 4.9 percent in the third quarter, but is the sixth consecutive quarter of economic growth in the nation.
The economy has been helped by low unemployment (which improves consumer purchasing power) and the cooling off of inflationary pressure, which is considered likely to keep the Federal Reserve from raising interest rates.
Ducks lose in OT, Lakers tame Bulls
The Anaheim Ducks suffered a 4-3 overtime loss on Thursday to Stars in Texas. Jacob Silfverberg, Troy Terry and Urho Vaakanainen all lit the red lamp for the Orange County team; Silfverberg added an assist.
It was the Ducks fourth loss in five games and puts their record at 16-30-2. Next up is a game Saturday visiting the Nashville Predators.
The Los Angeles Lakers squared their record at 23-23 with a home victory over the Chicago Bulls. Trailing by one point after the first quarter, the home team outscored the visitors by 17 points in the second quarter, and held off a late charge to post a 141-132 win.LeBron James was back in the lineup, scoring 25 points and having 12 assists.
Top scorer for the Lake Show was D’Angelo Russell with 29, followed by Anthony Davis with 22 and Austin Reaves with 20. Next up for the Lakers is a game up north on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors.
Weather: Clouds, but then ….
The familiar winter pattern of cloudy skies will continue for our West Orange County area through the weekend, but the new month (next Thursday) should start with rain that lasts for a week. This Friday is forecast for partly cloudy skies with a daytime high of 73 and an overnight low of 54. Saturday will be similar but a bit warmer at 79(55). Sunday should be mostly cloudy at 78(53), then back to partly cloudy on Monday at 75(52).