NEW FEDERAL rules will require that new cars for sale have better gas mileage (Shutterstock).
Rules announced Friday by the Biden administration will require that new vehicles sold in the U.S. must average roughly 65 miles per gallon in what’s called “real-world” driving conditions by 2031.
In an effort to slow climate change, which is caused in part by fossil fuel emissions generated by cars with internal combustion engines burning gasoline or diesel, the federal government has set a goal of one-half of all new vehicles being sold in the U.S. to be electric-powered by 2032.
Currently, EVs represent 7.6 percent of sales.
Justice Thomas received luxury travel
CLARENCE THOMAS (Wikipedia).
An amended financial disclosure statement by Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas reveals that he accepted luxury travel from a billionaire and took a trip to an island in Indonesia and an all-male club in Northern California.
Although the trips were taken five years ago, they have just been reported. While no cash value has been attached to them, Pro Public estimates they had a value of $500,000.
Other justices revealed their financial disclosures as well, including Justice Ketanjii Brown Jackson getting a book advance of $893,750 and Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh a book advance of $340,000.
Good news on hiring in U.S.
272,000 jobs was added in May in the U.S. (Shutterstock)..
The Bureau of Labor Statistics – part of the Department of Labor – announced Friday that non-farm employment increased by 272,000 jobs in May.
The unemployment rate remained at 4 percent, which has traditionally been considered “full employment.”
President Joe Biden took some credit for the news, touting the statistics by saying, “The great American comeback continues, but we still have to make more progress.”
He added that the total number of people employed has risen by 15.6 million during his term in office.
Prosecution rests in Hunter Biden case
The prosecution has rested its case against President Joe Biden’s son – Hunter – on Friday. His daughter, Naomi, testified for the defense.
Hunter has pleaded not guilty to two felonies in which he is accused of possession of a firearm while being “addicted to controlled substances.”
The accused claims he was addicted before and after possessing the firearm, but not during.
Dodgers win in 11; Angels fall 7-1
Teo Hernandez’ two-run double in the 11th inning was the margin of victory on Friday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 2-1 on the road in a battle of division leaders.
The victory improved the Dodgers record to 40-25 (best in the National League West) while the Yankees fell to 45-20 (best in the American League East).
The Los Angeles Angels hung in there Friday night for six innings against the Houston Astros, but ended up losing 7-1.
Kevin Pillar’s solo home run in the second inning – his seventh home of the year – tied the game at 1-1, but the Halos couldn’t generate much offense after that.
The Astros broke the game open with five runs in the seventh and went on to the win. Houston is now 29-35 and in third place in the American League West, while the Halos are 24-39 and in fifth in the ALW.
Weather: Now, that’s summer …
Mild temperatures and sunny skies are forecast for our West Orange County area well into the coming week. The forecast for Saturday is for sunny skies and a daytime high of 74 with an overnight low of 64. The next three days will have mostly sunny skies with highs ranging from 72 to 74 and nights from 62 to 63.