SOCIAL SECURITY benefits will increase for public employees who also worked in private employment (Shutterstock).

Nearly 3 million Americans will be “getting a raise” in their retirement benefits after President Joe Biden on Sunday signed a bill boosting Social Security payments to teachers, firefighters and other public employees.

According to the Associated Press, this Social Security Fairness Act will repeal two measures – the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset – which have reduced Social Security paid to public service workers who have a pension from state or local governments, but who have also paid into the fund from wages earned in private employment.

The expected effect would be around $360 per recipient by December 2025.
The bill signed by Biden had bipartisan support, but some conservatives opposed it on the grounds it would increase the stress on the Social Security fund.

Winter storm slams a wide area

A WINTER STORM is slamming a wide swath of the United States (Shutterstock).

While Californians are putting on sweaters for 60-degree weather, a strong winter storm is hammering a wide swath of the United States stretching from Delaware to Kansas in disrupting travel and more.

The New York Times is reporting that the storm is bringing sleet, snow and “freezing rain,” which are making roads impassable in many areas. Airports in Kansas City and St. Louis were closed and most flights cancelled.

Law enforcement officials have noted dozens of motor vehicle crashes. In Missouri, the Highway Parol reported 285 collisions and 27 injured.

Snow will continue to fall on Monday and have abated somewhat by Tuesday, but in some areas the daytime high will be in the 30s and 20s overnight.

Sports: Chargers win and Rams lose

In the final games of the 2024 regular NFL season, the area teams posted one win and one loss.

The Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) defeated the Las Vegas Raiders (4-13) by the score of 34-20. The Bolts will face the Houston Texans (10-7) in the first round of the playoffs. Justin Herbert passed for 346 yards and two touchdowns .

The Los Angeles Rams (10-7), playing without most of their starters, lost 30-25 to the Seattle Seahawks (10-7). Jimmy Garoppolo passed for 334 yards and two scores. The Rams will play the Minnesota- Vikings game in their playoff matchup.

Local weather: Cloudy, sunny, repeat ….

Sunny skies will alternate with partly cloudy conditions for the next few days in the West Orange County area. The forecast for Monday is for a daytime high of 65 with an overnight low of 47. Skies will be partly cloudy. Tuesday is expected to see a high of 69 (52) with sun. Wednesday will be similar at 69 (45) with partly cloudy skies. Thursday cools a bit to 66 (48) but the sun will have returned.