NOW, 10,000 JOBS will be trimmed from Health and Human Services (Shutterstock).

The White House on Thursday ordered that 10,000 employees be discharged from the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

According to The New York Times, the change will hit hardest the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who are expected to 20 percent of staff.

Such a cut would leave the department – headed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – with around 62,000 people.
“We’re going to do more with less,” said Kennedy. He has stated that he wishes to focus the department’s efforts in combatting chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease,

Air strikes hit Yemen

Aerial attacks – believe to be American – struck areas in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels early Friday, according to the Associated Press.

The “number and intensity” strikes appears to be more extensive than those under former president Joe Biden, the AP reported.

The U.S. has demanded that the Houthi cease their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and other waterways.

Sports: Same story for Angels, Dodgers

The Los Angeles Angels opened the 2025 season on Thursday as they ended it in 2024, with a disheartening defeat. They lost 8-1 the Windy City to the Chicago White Sox, the team that had the worst record in the MLB last year.

The Halos managed just five hits and their sole run came on an eight-inning homer by catcher Logan O’Hoppe.

The Los Angeles Dodgers ran their 2025 record to 3-0 with a 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers in Chavez Ravine. Shohei Ohtani, batting leadoff, was 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored on one driven in.
Blake Snell (1-0) started and got the win. He pitched five innings, yielding five hits and two runs. He walked four batters and struck out two.

And a little later, the Los Angeles Lakers were defeated by the Chicago Bulls 119-117 in the Windy City. There was a wild finish, with the lead changing several times in the final minute.

Weather: Cool, maybe some drops

The forecast for our West Orange County cities is for mildly cool days with a chance of rain over the next several days. The prediction for Friday is for a daytime high of 69 with an overnight low of 53. There will be morning clouds and afternoon sun with a 17 percent chance of 17. Saturday will warm to 69 (53) with partly cloudy skies and a 12 percent chance of rain. Sunday is expected to cool at 64 (55) with cloudy skies and an 11 percent chance of showers. Monday warms to 67 (54) with mostly cloudy and a 22 percent likelihood of some wet stuff.